Scarlett Johansson is sharing insights from her early days as an actress. During a recent episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast, host Dax Shepard commented on the 37-year-old actress’s undeniable charm, referring to it as the elusive “X factor” that makes her so engaging on screen.
The actress known for her role as the Black Widow expressed her appreciation for the compliment but mentioned that the public’s perception of her has been inaccurate since she was young. She felt like she was being confined and objectified in a way that hindered her from getting the roles she truly desired. Scarlett Johansson shared that she often felt like people thought she was much older than her actual age, leading to her being typecast in hypersexualized roles. She reflected on feeling like her career was limited and that she was stuck in a certain image that she didn’t want to be defined by.
She mentioned that the runway for her success was not easy due to her young age, which was often mistaken for being older. Scarlett Johansson reflected on feeling scared and uncertain when she starred in “Lost in Translation” at 17, portraying a 22-year-old character alongside Bill Murray in 2003. Despite being in situations that were not age-appropriate, she credited her mom for protecting her during that time. Johansson acknowledged a shift in the industry where young women and girls are now being more empowered.
“I’ve noticed how younger actors in their 20s today are able to portray a wide range of characters,” she remarked. “It’s a different era where actors aren’t pigeonholed like before, which is a good thing. People are more versatile now.” Shepard, who is 47, pointed out Zendaya as an example of this phenomenon, a sentiment which Johansson supported by mentioning Florence Pugh as another illustration. These changes have opened up doors for young women to thrive in Hollywood, yet Johansson believes there is still room for more progress. “In a patriarchal society, there will always be underlying challenges for women,” she reflected. “Even though men may not be as overtly aggressive as before, the unequal power dynamics remain. It’s deeply ingrained in our culture and society. It’s hard for me to envision a future where this isn’t a factor.”
The actress from “Marriage Story” also expressed her feelings of being caught between different generations in the #MeToo era. She mentioned how in the past, women were encouraged to use their femininity and sexuality to get ahead, while the current generation is more focused on finding other ways to succeed without compromising their values. She noted that younger women now are taking a stand against accepting mistreatment or pandering to others, rejecting an old system. Scarlett Johansson finds herself in an interesting position between these different mindsets. Despite the challenges, Johansson remains hopeful for the future of young women in Hollywood. She believes that change is happening gradually, with progress often taking steps forward and steps back along the way. She emphasized the importance of recognizing meaningful progress, even if it’s not always linear. Johansson stressed the need to allow people the space to learn and grow, as true progressive change takes time and patience to develop.
