Background
Scarlett Johansson, Hollywood actress and star of movies like “Lost in Translation” and “Ghost World,” recently spoke about her experience in the entertainment industry during a podcast interview. Johansson appeared on the 500th episode of Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast and discussed the hypersexualization she experienced as a young actress and how it affected her career.
Early Days in Hollywood
Johansson recounted how she felt objectified and pigeonholed as an actress due to her perceived age and appearance.
“I kind of became objectified and pigeonholed in this way where I felt like I wasn’t getting offers for work for things that I wanted to do,” she said. “I remember thinking to myself, ‘I think people think I’m 40 years old.’ It somehow stopped being something that was desirable and something that I was fighting against.”
“Weird Hypersexualized Thing”
Johansson described how she was viewed as hypersexualized at a young age, even as she was transitioning from a child actor to an adult actress. She recounted her experience working on “Lost in Translation” at age 17 and feeling pigeonholed into a “weird hypersexualized thing.”
Johansson said, “I felt like [my career] was over. It was like, ‘That’s the kind of career you have, these are the roles you’ve played.’ And I was like, ‘This is it?’ The runway is not long on that. So it was scary at that time. In a weird way, I was like, ‘Is this it?’ I attributed a lot of that to the fact that people thought I was much, much older than I was.”
Changing Landscape
Despite her early struggles, Johansson believes the entertainment industry has changed and is more open to young actors playing different roles.
“Now, I see younger actors that are in their 20s. It feels like they’re allowed to be all these different things. It’s another time, too. We’re not even allowed to really pigeonhole other actors anymore, thankfully, right? People are much more dynamic.”
Patriarchy and Progress
Johansson also discussed how patriarchy is still deeply ingrained in society and that progress toward dismantling it will take time.
She said, “We live in a patriarchy and I feel like there’s a fundamental reality of the woman’s condition that will always, even if those 600 men are not actively aggressive necessarily as much as they would have been a minute ago, it’s still fundamentally there. It’s so baked into our culture and society. It’s hard for me to imagine that ever being not an element.”
Johansson also emphasized the importance of understanding progress and change, acknowledging that it is not always a constant forward movement.
She said, “I’ve come to this realization that it’s important to understand progress and change when it’s really meaningful — it takes two steps forward and two steps back, and then it gets better and then it gets worse. It’s not finite. I think if you don’t leave room for people to figure it out, then the actual progressive change doesn’t really happen.”
Conclusion
Johansson’s experience serves as a reminder of the challenges young actors can face in Hollywood, especially when viewed as older than their actual age. However, her positive outlook on the industry’s changing landscape and the need for continued progress inspire young actors everywhere.
FAQ
What did Scarlett Johansson talk about on Armchair Expert?
Scarlett Johansson discussed her early days in Hollywood and how the industry and media sexualized her at a young age. She also talked about her experience working on the movie Lost in Translation when she was 17 and how she felt pigeonholed into hypersexualized roles. Additionally, she shared her thoughts on progress and the patriarchy in society.
What is the significance of Scarlett Johansson’s interview?
Scarlett Johansson’s interview sheds light on the objectification and sexualization of young actresses in Hollywood. It also highlights the need to dismantle patriarchal norms and promote more dynamic and diverse roles for actors and actresses.
What is the Armchair Expert podcast?
The Armchair Expert podcast is a popular podcast hosted by actor Dax Shepard. The podcast interviews various celebrities, including actors, musicians, and politicians, who share their personal stories and insights on various topics.
What is the significance of the 500th episode of Armchair Expert?
The 500th episode of Armchair Expert is significant because it marks a milestone in the podcast’s history. It also showcases the podcast’s ability to attract A-list celebrities and its continued success in the podcast industry.
Source: Celebitchy
