Cameron Diaz Deflects Benji Madden Engagement Questions, Shares Lessons From Exes With Cosmopolitan

"Timing is everything," the Annie actress says

By Zach Johnson Dec 02, 2014 3:35 PMTags
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If Cameron Diaz is indeed engaged to Benji Madden, she's not telling.

The actress neither confirms nor denies reports that a wedding is in the works, but she does reveal what she's learned about love in Cosmopolitan's January 2015 issue. "You have to find someone in the same place as you are. Timing is everything," says the star, who knew Madden for years before they began dating. "If you get into a relationship where you want something the guy doesn't want, it's never gonna work. You're never going to get him to be in that place. No matter how old you are, finding the guy who's in the same place as you are and wants to show up is the only way a relationship works, period."

Though she's never been married, the Annie actress has dated some of Hollywood's hottest bachelors over the years, including Alex Rodriguez (2010 to 2011), Paul Sculfor (2008 to 2009), Justin Timberlake (2003 to 2007), Jared Leto (1999 to 2003), Matt Dillon (1995 to 1998) and Carlos de La Torre (1990 to 1994). So, what has Diaz learned from her exes? And how has that affected her romance with Madden?

"Here's the thing: You make the same mistake over and over again until you learn your lesson," the 42-year-old Other Woman actress says. "We girls sometimes do the thing where we pick the same person over and over again—they look and seem different, but deep down, they're the same. And that's on us."

Diaz is embracing the unknown, both personally and professionally.

In fact, Diaz is starring her first movie musical, Annie, in December. "It was the most terrifying thing I've ever done in a movie. I cried a lot," she says of singing. "[Miss Hannigan is] bitter because her chance at fame was stolen, and all she can taste is that taste, which is very much in line with this day and age. People determine your value by how many friends you have on Facebook or if you're Instagram famous."

The January 2015 issue of Cosmopolitan is available on newsstands Dec. 9.