CANNES, France – Andie MacDowell has great memories of the Cannes Film Festival, but also one big regret — the year she decided to skip it.

“You know ‘Sex, Lies, and Videotape’ won here and I didn’t come because I had just had my daughter, and I was nursing her and really round and I was afraid people would make fun of me,” she said of the 1989 film.

“I know that was stupid. Now in hindsight, because I’ve matured and I’m older, I don’t really care what people say,” the 57-year-old actress added.

That daughter she was nursing is Rainey Qualley, a singer-songwriter and actress. She was recently seen in the last season of “Mad Men.” MacDowell’s other daughter, Margaret, is also an actress, starring in the HBO series “The Leftovers.”

“I try to stay out of their way; they’re really independent,” she said. “They’re very independent, they’re their own people. I think what I’ve taught them they’ve really taken. They have really good work ethics. I have a really good work ethic. I’m on time, I’m appreciative, I give one hundred per cent and I don’t complain.”

MacDowell, who stars in the Hallmark television series “Cedar Cove” and is in this summer’s “Magic Mike XXL,” was in Cannes as a brand ambassador for L’Oreal. One of her festival highlights was hanging out with fellow spokeswoman Jane Fonda.

“That was a blast and she’s gorgeous and an inspiration. She’s 77. She looks amazing. So I’m happy, I’m thankful, I’m always living gratitude,” said MacDowell.

—By Nekesa Mumbi Moody, http://www.twitter.com/nekesamumbi