Fantastic Four star Jessica Alba reminisced about her early years in Hollywood and how she put on “tough” masculine energy to shield herself from predators. The 41-year-old actress, who rose to fame for her role in Honey (2003), confessed that she made herself “unavailable” as much as possible.
Famously known for her Marvel role as Sue Storm in the 2005 Fantastic Four movie, the model and entrepreneur became one of the most sought-after leading ladies in Hollywood for her charismatic looks and superb talent. Now, as a mother, she opens up about the challenges she faced during her early days in the industry.
Jessica Alba Speaks Up About Being A Sex Symbol And Keeping Predators At Bay
Speaking on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace, Jessica Alba shared her sentiments on the concept surrounding her image considered as a sex symbol and if this title ever troubled her:
“I guess I understood that I needed to help sell the product. And they sell it how they do so I understood it as a business decision and a strategy. And so, I was able to distance myself from it. But I guess, you know, you can’t change other people’s minds about what they may or may not think of you.”
The actress admitted that the job made her nervous, but at the same time, she accepted that there is nothing wrong with owning her sexuality.
“It wasn’t until I became a mom that I really started to even see myself as a woman or a sexual being or someone who owned her power and her femininity.”
When asked how she dealt with all the pressures of being taken advantage of in Hollywood, Alba responded:
“At that time, I felt like I was very much having to put up this armor of masculinity and masculine energy so I wouldn’t, you know, be preyed on because there were a lot of predators in Hollywood from age 12 to 26.”
According to the actress, the strategy helped keep the predators away. She also admitted to cursing “like a sailor” and acting as tough as possible.
“I was a warrior. I put up that energy. I was really tough, man. I curse like a sailor and I was very, I try… I think I tried to make myself as unavailable as possible so that I wouldn’t be taken advantage of.”
With many Hollywood predators, like the notorious Harvey Weinstein, still roaming free, many celebrities were forced to stay quiet to keep their jobs. But for Alba, it was paramount to secure her safety without compromising work.
RELATED: Jessica Alba Almost Quit Fantastic Four Due To Hurtful Comments From Director
On Finding New Purpose In Life And Shifting Careers
Jessica Alba is now focusing on her entrepreneurial career more than the showbiz industry. She admitted that her focus shifted after she had her first child. She asserted:
“I thought about my purpose differently. And I really started to assess what was bringing me joy and what I felt, at that time, a little bit… draining.”
The Honest Company co-founder said that Hollywood looks different now than it was 14 years ago. Alba also claimed that she “felt a bit tapped out with entertainment,” especially since it was an era before the birth of the #MeToo movement.
Watch Jessica Alba’s interview on Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace on HBO Max.
Source: Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace
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