In a hard-hitting interview with The Times, Scarlett Johansson exposes the industry's corrosive pattern of culling young actresses into roles defined by "desirability" and the male gaze—leaving little room for genuine artistic growth.
The 40-year-old actress, now celebrated for diversifying her repertoire—from directing Eleanor the Great to starring in blockbusters like Jurassic World: Rebirth—says her early trajectory was marred by deeply unfulfilling roles centered on sex appeal, not substance.
“After Lost in Translation, every role... was 'the girlfriend,' 'the other woman,' a sex object... It sort of felt like, ‘Oh, I guess this is my identity now as an actor’” she revealed to Vanity Fair.
In candid reflections recalling her teens and early 20s, Johansson shared she was “groomed” to be a bombshell, pigeonholed into non-stop objectification that nearly stalled her career.
Her experience mirrors accounts from other actresses, where the allure of physical appeal masks the industry's exploitative tendencies.
But she says things are shifting. “The messaging is different,” Johansson told The Times, pointing out that demand for women-defined roles—not just those defined by desirability—is finally rising.
Despite Johansson’s experience, many question how widespread this industry grooming still is—and what real power actresses have to break free. Has Hollywood truly evolved?
Do you believe the industry has changed enough—or is this just the beginning? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️
The 40-year-old actress, now celebrated for diversifying her repertoire—from directing Eleanor the Great to starring in blockbusters like Jurassic World: Rebirth—says her early trajectory was marred by deeply unfulfilling roles centered on sex appeal, not substance.
“After Lost in Translation, every role... was 'the girlfriend,' 'the other woman,' a sex object... It sort of felt like, ‘Oh, I guess this is my identity now as an actor’” she revealed to Vanity Fair.
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| Credit: Scarlett Johansson/Instagram |
In candid reflections recalling her teens and early 20s, Johansson shared she was “groomed” to be a bombshell, pigeonholed into non-stop objectification that nearly stalled her career.
Her experience mirrors accounts from other actresses, where the allure of physical appeal masks the industry's exploitative tendencies.
But she says things are shifting. “The messaging is different,” Johansson told The Times, pointing out that demand for women-defined roles—not just those defined by desirability—is finally rising.
Despite Johansson’s experience, many question how widespread this industry grooming still is—and what real power actresses have to break free. Has Hollywood truly evolved?
Do you believe the industry has changed enough—or is this just the beginning? Share your thoughts below! ⬇️
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