Kristen Stewart on feminism, Hollywood, and sexism (applause necessary)
When you think about glamorous women in Hollywood, it’s easy to think that they have it all. Money, fame, prestige — they’re living the golden life, right? Well, sexism is pervasive throughout all areas of life, and no matter how much a celebrity status provides, it will never serve as a barrier against gender inequality. Many, many well-known female celebs have spoken out about the issue in the industry. Think: Patricia Arquette’s Oscar speech on wage equality, Jessica Chastain’s speech on diversity in Hollywood, and Carey Mulligan’s interview in which she said that the industry is, “obviously massively sexist.”
Now, in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar (she’s the June cover girl BTW) our girl Kristen Stewart is also serving some real truths about Hollywood gender equality, or lack thereof. The full interview isn’t yet online, but some excerpts have been released, and there are some fabulous quote gems. Kristen has proved time and time again that she always keeps it real and people are finally appreciating her for that truly amazing quality.
“Women inevitably have to work a little bit harder to be heard,” she says in Bazaar. “Hollywood is disgustingly sexist. It’s crazy. It’s so offensive it’s crazy.” She doesn’t go into specifics — at least, not in the excerpts — but clearly something in the biz has gotta change.
In the preview available online, she also explains the pressure of having to dress “perfectly” for Hollywood, likening the scrutiny to Miranda Priestly (eek!). “I started out in situations that were quite foreign to me, photo shoots, famous photographers, having to deal with designers,” explains Kristen to Bazaar. “I felt quite out of place and young. And I remember meeting some of the worst people you could possibly imagine. Just soul-sucking, cut-throat fashion people, the full-on Devil Wears Prada.”
It seems the interview will also do away with Kristen’s harsh rep. “Meeting with a Hollywood star usually involves a large suite in a five-star hotel, and levels of ceremony the Sun King would recognise,” writes Bazaar’s Sasha Slater. “So what to make of Kristen Stewart who appears in a cosy little café in Los Feliz, a quiet district of Los Angeles, entirely alone; who stays talking to me for three hours; and, when we leave, tries to pick up the bill for my decaf and her almond-milk latte? And this from an actor with a reputation for being difficult and hostile in interviews.”
In the preview, Kristen goes on to explain the issue of intense pressure in the media, and the effect it had on her physically and emotionally. “Having that much human energy thrust at you and then being critically analysed is obviously disarming,” she told Bazaar. “Control issues make me so nervous. It’s not knowing what’s going to happen. So what people were seeing was what happens when you are terrified. My palms sweat, my knees shake, I don’t think I can stand in my heels, I’m breathing heavily, I feel nauseous. I’ll be so nervous and then my body creates something to calm me down and I get so tired I’ll just . . .” And then, according to the preview, she slumped on the table.
Hearing her perspective really gives us an insight into life in the spotlight and we 100% understand how it could be a totally terrifying environment. We cannot wait to read this entire interview, which looks incredible, and are so excited to see Kristen coming into her own and speaking out for women, both in Hollywood and outside of Hollywood.
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