Close X
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
ADVT 
Bollywood

We Were Told It Was Over For Us At 40: Naomi Watts

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Jul, 2019 02:32 AM

    There was a time when actresses were told their career would be over at 40 in Hollywood, but not anymore. "The Loudest Voice" star Naomi Watts feels a lot has changed for women in the industry.


    The Oscar-nominated actress says women want to look good and want to be taken seriously -- and there is no reason that the two can't co-exist.


    Actors are often under pressure to look a certain way which is deemed important to sell their image. But has the pressure changed for women over all these years?


    "I think that has always been there, definitely. And you know, there was a time when we were told that come the age of 40, it was all over...and that has changed," Watts said during "The Loudest Voice" press conference call in which IANS represented India exclusively.


    "In terms of being told that we have to look good, I think we want to look good, but we want to be taken seriously and there's no reason that the two things can't co-exist.


    "For the red carpet, yes, I want to look my absolute best and I use professional help to create something that looks good, but it has not been so because I've been instructed to. I make that choice myself. I'm in charge of the decision making as to how I present myself," added the 50-year-old.


    Her resume is a testament to her versatility, her chameleon-like quality to get into the skin of any character and how to avoid being typecast.


    With two Oscar nominations, her work profile shines with box-office hits like 'King Kong', 'The Ring', 'The Divergent' series, and roles in critically acclaimed films like 'Birdman', 'Mulholland Drive' and '21 Grams'.


    Now, she will be seen living the life of journalist Gretchen Carlson in Showtime limited series "The Loudest Voice", which dramatises the rise and fall of Carlson's former boss, Fox News creator Roger Ailes (essayed by Russell Crowe).


    The show spotlights Ailes' history of sexual abuse, and Carlson's landmark sexual harassment lawsuit against Ailes that led to his ouster.


    "The Loudest Voice" will stream in India on Hotstar Premium. The show will go on the platform at the same time as the US. It will launch on July 1.


    Watts says the #MeToo movement has ushered in a "really powerful change".


    "I would say there has been a significant change and not necessarily one that I thought I would witness in such a dramatic way... I hoped it would happen over time, but I've seen a really powerful change happening in front of the camera, and behind the camera in the last couple of years. And that's the heartening side of this story," she said.


    The mother of two continued: "Out of the MeToo movement, has come the Time's Up movement and voices are being heard, and that's just very encouraging. It was time. It was absolute... I've seen female-driven stories now getting financed which they weren't before.


    "I've seen female directors - more female directors being hired and the same goes for writers and other technicians in our industry. That's the good part of this story that's come to light."


    But there is a heartbreaking side to it as well.


    "We're sitting here listening to these awful stories that took place over such a long time, but now the space has been made to listen and for change to take place."


    The actress, who will soon enter the 'Game Of Thrones' universe with its prequel, hopes 'The Loudest Voice' to be a story of female empowerment.


    "I hope that this is a story of female empowerment, that women can feel encouraged by the fact that it's good to stand up for yourself, and that voices are now being heard and room is being made as a result to change things in all industries."

    MORE Bollywood ARTICLES

    WATCH: Diljit Dosanjh Creates His ‘Desi’ Met Gala Moment

    While social media was busy trolling and making memes on who wore what at the celebrity-studded Met Gala 2019 in New York, actor-singer Diljit Dosanjh and actress Neeru Bajwa created their own “desi” red carpet moment on the sets of their 

    WATCH: Diljit Dosanjh Creates His ‘Desi’ Met Gala Moment

    'If Alia Or Shaheen Bhatt Are Suffering, I Get Affected Badly,' Says Mom Soni Razdan

    After Shaheen Bhatt recently opened up about her battle with depression, her mother and veteran actress Soni Razdan says she was always worried about her elder daughter and tried to be her pillar of strength.

    'If Alia Or Shaheen Bhatt Are Suffering, I Get Affected Badly,' Says Mom Soni Razdan

    Farah Having Fun Working On Rohit Shetty's Film

    Farah Having Fun Working On Rohit Shetty's Film
    Choreographer-filmmaker Farah Khan says she is having fun working on her upcoming film, which is produced by Rohit Shetty.  

    Farah Having Fun Working On Rohit Shetty's Film

    Rakul Feels She Has A Long Way To Go In Bollywood

    Actress Rakul Preet says she hasn't made a name for herself in Bollywood, and still has a long way to go.  

    Rakul Feels She Has A Long Way To Go In Bollywood

    Karan Oberoi Rape Case: Pooja Bedi Urges To Use Law Responsibly

    Amid of the allegation of rape and extortion against the television actor Karan Oberoi, one of his best friends Pooja Bedi along with the band members of his music band 'Band Of Boys' urges on

    Karan Oberoi Rape Case: Pooja Bedi Urges To Use Law Responsibly

    'Super 30' Makers To Stick To July 26 Release Date

    'Super 30' Makers To Stick To July 26 Release Date
    Hrithik Roshan-starrer "Super 30" will hit the screens as scheduled on July 26, the makers have confirmed amidst hullabaloo that its release date may be changed due to a clash with Kangana Ranaut's "Mental Hai Kya".

    'Super 30' Makers To Stick To July 26 Release Date