Scarlett Johansson, known for her extensive acting career, has experienced the ups and downs of being a Hollywood star. Despite her success, there was a time when she felt trapped in the role of a bombshell, pigeonholed into playing seductive characters. However, she managed to break away from this archetype and expand her repertoire with action and dramatic roles. Reflecting on her past, in one of her interviews in 2022, Johansson discussed the pressures and challenges she faced as a young actress in the industry.
During an interview with the Table for Two podcast, Johansson spoke candidly about being typecast in Hollywood. She acknowledged that earlier in her career, she struggled to escape the bombshell image that the industry had constructed for her.
Scarlett Johansson revealed how she felt objectified in Hollywood
As Scarlett Johansson transitioned from a child actress to a teen star to portraying adult roles, she admitted that she often felt objectified and cornered in a limited space. Films like Lost in Translation and Girl with a Pearl Earring, marked a turning point in her career, where she was exploring her own womanhood and sexuality. However, the trajectory she had been placed on hindered her growth as an actress.
She said, “I did Lost in Translation and Girl With the Pearl Earring and by that point, I was 18, 19, and I was coming into my own womanhood and learning my own desirability and sexuality. I think it was because of that trajectory I had been sort of launched towards — I really got stuck.”
Johansson emphasized that actresses are often put into specific boxes and expected to follow a predetermined path.
When Scarlett Johansson felt that she was being ‘groomed’ to fit in a box
The bombshell label affected Scarlett Johansson’s career for a few years, as she found herself continuously cast as the other woman or the object of desire. And this pigeonholing prevented her from pursuing a wider range of roles. She shared,
“I was kind of being groomed, in a way, to be this what you call a bombshell-type of actor. I was playing the other woman and the object of desire and I suddenly found myself cornered in this place like I couldn’t get out of it. Right around that time is when I met with Bryan.”
However, a pivotal moment came when she met renowned Hollywood agent Bryan Lourd. Lourd was the first person in the industry to listen to Johansson’s creative needs and aspirations. She realized that the bombshell stereotype burned out quickly and limited her potential. Determined to break free, she began working on different projects with great ensembles, which allowed her to showcase her versatility as an actress.
Johansson’s early experiences in Hollywood also highlighted the pressures and challenges she faced regarding her appearance. The industry’s hypersexualization of young actresses led to unrealistic expectations, causing Johansson to push against these adversities. She recognized the importance of taking control of her own career and making choices that aligned with her artistic vision.
Now, with more agency and control over her career, Johansson has several upcoming projects on the horizon. Following her tenure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, she is set to produce the Apple TV+ film Project Artemis, among other exciting ventures. Fans can anticipate seeing Johansson in diverse roles as she continues to carve her path in the industry.
Source: Cinema Blend
