Scarlett Johansson’s triumph story extends far beyond Hollywood’s realm, despite her widespread acclaim for her work in films like Lost in Translation, The Avengers, and Marriage Story.
While today she’s celebrated for her versatility and commanding presence on screen, there was a time when the actress faced rejection and doubt due to an aspect she felt was her most admired feature: her voice.
Scarlett Johansson: From Being A Child Actor To Her Break-Out Role
Scarlett Johansson has always had an innate talent for the performing arts, which set her on the path to fame and fortune. Nonetheless, Johansson did not have a smooth road to success. The MCU star began her creative journey by attending commercial auditions, hoping to make a name for herself in the industry.
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However, young ScarJo was continually turned down, making her feel discouraged and hopeless. The root of this rejection? Her voice. As time passed, she realized that this was both a burden and a driving force in her personal development.
““They never liked me, because of my voice, and I would have these huge temper tantrums afterward. My mom and I were in the subway once, and I was having some temper tantrum, and I’d just come from this commercial. She was like, ‘You know what? We’re not going out for commercial auditions anymore’.”
Scarlett Johansson was unflappable in the face of adversity. Her acting career began in commercials, but she soon began to audition for film, TV, and stage roles as well. Her first major role was in a stage production of Sophistry. Here, the embers of her talent began to burn brightly, ushering in a future full of possibility and danger.
While her previous work paved the way, The Horse Whisperer brought Johansson to Hollywood insider’s and moviegoers’ attention. Johansson gave a career-defining performance in this critically acclaimed drama directed by Robert Redford.
Scarlett Johansson Discusses How To Manipulating Emotions
Acting, Johansson realized, is about more than just reciting lines; it’s about letting one’s emotions flow freely and authentically through one’s performance.
“Certainly as an actor. I went through this realization that acting, at its heart, is the ability to manipulate your own emotions. I understood then that you can’t think about it. You can’t plan it. You just have to let your emotions flow through you. It’s hard to explain exactly, but I can see that when I watch the film.”
Johansson’s career has been steadily rising over the years. Johansson’s ability to become different people in different films, such as The Man Who Wasn’t There and Ghost World. Directors and producers saw her potential immediately, appreciating her captivating appearance, perceptive responses, and ageless charisma.
The Black Widow actress was becoming increasingly successful, but she also had to deal with the industry’s tendency to “hypersexualized” her. She began to doubt her career’s direction and worried that other people’s expectations would overshadow her abilities.
“Because I think everybody thought I was older and that I’d been [acting] for a long time, I got kind of pigeonholed into this weird hypersexualized thing.”
Johansson’s story, however, took an unexpected turn, much like the mythical phoenix rising from its ashes. Her story of skepticism and uncertainty transformed into one of self-determination and rediscovery. The Lucy star used her voice figuratively and literally to chart her course rather than conform to the industry’s low standards.
Source: Backstage
