Following the decades-long influence of Disney classics, pop culture tells us that stepmothers are generally mean, evil, and even bloodthirsty. As a result, stepmothers are often portrayed in a negative light but this stereotype couldn’t have been further from the truth in Sandra Bullock’s case.
Being married to Jesse James back in the 2000s, who had his own three kids, the actress once opened up about the stereotypes surrounding stepmothers following Disney’s impact. But things would change after she took on the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy, with which she deeply connected.
The Blind Side Helped Sandra Bullock Overcome Disney Stereotypes
While Disney animated classics like Cinderella and Snow White have painted stepmothers in a pretty bad light, the real-life story Leigh Anne Tuohy deeply resonated with Sandra Bullock. Bullock’s The Blind Side follows Mrs. Tuohy’s real-life story of adopting a homeless African-American teenager (Michael Oher) and helping him join the NFL. Even though Bullock expressed that the status of stepmothers in pop culture usually involves evilness following Disney’s impact on the industry, working on The Blind Side helped her embrace the beauty of motherhood.
“I’m a stepmother, which because of Disney always has a witch’s hat attached to it,” Bullock told Entertainment Weekly. “But wanting the best for someone — especially when they’re a child — I think should be an innate part of all of us.”
Sandra Bullock Was Initially Hesitant About Playing Leigh Anne Tuohy
Although playing the role of Leigh Anne Tuohy in the heartwarming story worked out quite well for the Oscar-winning actress, Sandra Bullock wasn’t on board with the idea from the get-go. Following the wholesome nature of the family tale, revolving around Mrs. Tuohy’s motherly love, the actress initially assumed that the project would be “schmaltzy and soft”. But her viewpoint shifted after spending a day with the real Leigh Anne Tuohy, realizing Mrs. Tuohy was anything but soft.
“At the end of the day, Leigh Anne took a little hand pistol out of her glove compartment and said, ‘Y’all just need to carry one of these,”‘ Bullock told EW. “I kid you not. If you’re her friend, she would stop at nothing to get done what she needed to get done for you. If you’re her enemy, forget about it — you’re going to wish you were dead.”
In recent times, Sandra Bullock has taken a step back from showbiz to focus on her private life and her two kids, succeeding in tearing apart Disney stereotypes to shreds.
The Blind Side is available to rent on Apple TV.
Source: Entertainment Weekly.
