At 37, Scarlett Johansson has been in the spotlight since her teenage years, but her journey through Hollywood hasn’t been without its challenges.
In a recent interview on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast, Johansson opened up about feeling objectified and pigeonholed into roles she didn’t necessarily want.
From a young age, Johansson sensed the inappropriate treatment she received in the industry. Despite her relatively youthful age, she aged considerably in the eyes of casting directors. This led to a frustrating cycle where she felt limited in the types of roles she was offered.
“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,” Johansson explained, recounting how she felt as though people perceived her as much older than she was.
Johansson expressed how this perception led to her being continually cast in hypersexualized roles, which she felt was both limiting and discouraging for her career prospects.
The actress described feeling as though there was a predetermined endpoint to her career, solely based on the roles she had played thus far.
Reflecting on the changing landscape of Hollywood, Johansson noted the shift in opportunities for younger actors. She observed that younger talents today seem to have more freedom to explore diverse roles, breaking away from traditional stereotypes.
“Now, I see younger actors that are in their 20s. It feels like they’re allowed to be all these different things,” Johansson remarked, highlighting the evolving norms within the industry.
Despite these positive shifts, Johansson acknowledged that systemic challenges, particularly regarding gender inequality, persist in Hollywood. She emphasized the deeply ingrained patriarchal norms that continue to shape the industry’s dynamics.
“We live in a patriarchy… It’s so baked into our culture and society,” Johansson stated, recognizing the enduring influence of gender biases in entertainment.
Navigating between different generational perspectives on addressing gender disparities, Johansson described feeling caught “between two worlds.”
She highlighted the contrasting approaches of past generations, who often encouraged leveraging femininity, and the younger generation, which rejects such notions of pandering.
In Johansson’s view, progress toward gender equality in Hollywood is not linear but marked by continuous struggle and adaptation.
She emphasized the importance of allowing space for individuals to challenge existing norms and foster genuine progressive change.
It’s not finite”” Johansson concluded, underscoring the ongoing nature of the fight for gender equality in the entertainment industry.
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