Scarlett Johansson recently shared her experiences as a young actress on the “Armchair Expert” podcast with Dax Shepard. During the discussion, Shepard praised the 37-year-old actress for having what he describes as “the X factor” – a natural charm and likability that is hard to define. However, Johansson revealed that her public image had been misrepresented since she was a child, leading to her feeling objectified and limited in her career choices. Despite making her on-screen debut at just 9 years old in 1994 with “North,” people always assumed she was much older than her actual age. This misconception resulted in Johansson feeling pigeonholed into hypersexualized roles and missing out on opportunities that she truly desired. She expressed her concerns about being perceived as older than she actually was, which affected her career trajectory and left her wondering if that was all she was destined for. Johansson reflected on the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry at a young age, emphasizing the pressure and limitations that come with being typecast based on assumptions about her age and experience.
Johansson achieved a significant milestone in her career when she starred opposite Bill Murray in the film “Lost in Translation” in 2003, portraying a 22-year-old character at the age of just 17. The creator of the skincare brand “The Outset” remembered being in situations that were not suitable for her age but credited her mother for protecting her during her underage years. Despite her early challenges, Johansson has observed a positive shift for young women and girls in the entertainment field. She noted that present-day young actors in their 20s are given the freedom to explore various roles and dimensions. The actress also highlighted the evolving nature of the industry, where actors are no longer confined to specific stereotypes, allowing for greater diversity and dynamism in performances.
Shepard, aged 47, pointed out Zendaya as a prime example of the positive changes happening in Hollywood, a sentiment which Johansson endorsed by also mentioning Florence Pugh. These shifts are opening up more opportunities for young women to thrive in the industry, although Johansson believes that there is still much more progress to be made. She acknowledges that despite some improvements, the underlying reality of the patriarchal system is still very much present in society. Johansson finds it difficult to envision a time when this won’t be a factor due to how deeply ingrained it is in our culture and societal structures.
The actress from “Marriage Story” also expressed her feelings of being caught between two different time periods in the era of #MeToo movement. She explained how previous generations advised women to use their femininity and sexuality to get ahead, while her generation started questioning these tactics. On the other hand, younger women are more assertive and refuse to tolerate any mistreatment. She finds herself in an interesting position between these two perspectives. Despite the challenges, Johansson remains optimistic about the progression of change in Hollywood, especially for the young women entering the industry. She believes that true progress is not a linear process, but rather a series of steps forward and backward. Johansson emphasizes the importance of allowing people the space to learn and grow in order for substantial change to occur. Overall, she acknowledges the complexities of navigating through these issues but remains hopeful that positive change is occurring, even if it may be slow at times. Johansson’s insights shed light on the evolving landscape of gender dynamics in Hollywood.
