Scarlett Johansson Explains Remarks On Hollywood Diversity that Caused Major Twitter Backlash
“An interview that was recently published has been edited for click bait and is widely taken out of context.”
Scarlett Johansson has issued a statement attempting to clarify what she meant by a controversial comment about political correctness in Hollywood.
Last year’s highest-paid actress was widely criticized for a remark she made in an interview with As If magazine that was obtained by Daily Mail.
“You know, as an actor I should be allowed to play any person, or any tree, or any animal because that is my job and the requirements of my job,” she reportedly said.
“I feel like it’s a trend in my business and it needs to happen for various social reasons, yet there are times it does get uncomfortable when it affects the art because I feel art should be free of restrictions.”
She was responding to a question regarding a role in the upcoming movie Rub & Tug, in which she had been cast as a trans gangster. She stepped down from the project in 2018.
While Johnasson didn’t exactly double down on her recent stance in a statement obtained by Page Six, she did defend herself. “An interview that was recently published has been edited for click bait and is widely taken out of context,” Johansson said.
“The question I was answering in my conversation with the contemporary artist, David Salle, was about the confrontation between political correctness and art.”
She continued, “I personally feel that, in an ideal world, any actor should be able to play anybody and Art, in all forms, should be immune to political correctness. That is the point I was making, [though it] didn’t come across that way.”
Johansson also added her thoughts on what’s been described as a lack of diversity in show business.
“I recognize that in reality, there is a widespread discrepancy amongst my industry that favors Caucasian, cis-gendered actors and that not every actor has been given the same opportunities that I have been privileged to,” she said.
“I continue to support, and always have, diversity in every industry and will continue to fight for projects where everyone is included.”
Sounds good to us, ScarJo.
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