Close X
Friday, January 10, 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

    Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan Party With Karisma Kapoor In London. Check Out New Pics

    Bollywood's Kapoor sisters Kareena and Karisma partied away in a club here.

    Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan Party With Karisma Kapoor In London. Check Out New Pics

    Anushka Travels To Brussels For A Shoot; To Join Back Virat Kohli By The End Of This Month As Per The Directives Of BCCI

    After spending some quality time with her husband and cricketer Virat Kohli in London, actress Anushka Sharma is basking in the sunshine in Brussels.

    Anushka Travels To Brussels For A Shoot; To Join Back Virat Kohli By The End Of This Month As Per The Directives Of BCCI

    Varun Dhawan Enjoys A Lunch Date With Girlfriend Natasha Dalal, Watch Video

    Actor Varun Dhawan was spotted rushing out of a restaurant with his lady love Natasha Dalal, here on Sunday.

    Varun Dhawan Enjoys A Lunch Date With Girlfriend Natasha Dalal, Watch Video

    Neena Gupta Shares Throwback Pics From NSD Days, Can You Recognise These Veteran Actors?

    Actress Neena Gupta went down memory lane as she shared throwback photographs of herself and other popular National School of Drama alumni.

    Neena Gupta Shares Throwback Pics From NSD Days, Can You Recognise These Veteran Actors?

    Shahid Gets Career Best Opening, 'Kabir Singh' Crosses Rs 70 Cr In Opening Weekend

    Actor Shahid Kapoor's "Kabir Singh" has registered business of over Rs 70 crore in its opening weekend at the box office.

    Shahid Gets Career Best Opening, 'Kabir Singh' Crosses Rs 70 Cr In Opening Weekend

    There's No Discrimination In Film Industry: Ayushmann

    Discrimination has been a burning topic in the country. Actor Ayushmann Khurrana, who is continuing on the path of backing ground-breaking content with "Article 15", says the film industry is a secular world where no one discriminates on the basis of caste or religion.  

    There's No Discrimination In Film Industry: Ayushmann