Scarlett Johannson is reflecting on her career.
In a recent interview with The Gentlewoman, she admitted that she’s “made a career” out of her many controversies.
RELATED STORIES
This includes “whitewashing” the lead role in Ghost in the Shell , signing up to play a transgender character in a film, and defending director Woody Allen against sexual assault allegations.
Come see what she had to say.
You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t know Scarlett Johannson.
She’s been acting in Hollywood since she was a kid, after all.
She was cast in her first feature film, North , when she was just eight. Years later, she would land her big break in Hollywood with several major films.
This includes *Lost In Translation* opposite Bill Murray and then her iconic role as Black Widow in the Marvel Universe.
You may also know the star well from her many headlines over the years.
In addition to her divorce to Ryan Reynolds , she’s drawn criticism to a few of her roles like moths to a flame.
When she was cast in a transgender role in *Rub & Tug*, for instance, she faced major backlash.
Those on Twitter argued that she was taking the role away from transgender actors.
The criticism was so widespread, the actress ended up backing out from the role with a statement.
That wasn’t the first time she was accused of taking on the wrong roles.
She was accused of ” whitewashing ” when she played the lead in Ghost in the Shell , a role that critics said was meant for a Japanese actress.
Scarlett initially defended herself, calling the controversy “political correctness” in casting.
After she landed in hot water for that comment, she later clarified that her words were taken out of context.
Now that the dust has settled, the actress recently spoke to the Gentlewoman about all these past controversies.
She began by saying that she’s “made a career” out of it.
“I’m going to have opinions about things, because that’s just who I am,” she said in reflection.
In her growth, she’s been able to realize that her opinion won’t always be right.
“I mean, everyone has a hard time admitting when they’re wrong about stuff, and for all of that to come out publicly, it can be embarrassing.”
“To have the experience of, Wow, I was really off mark there, or I wasn’t looking at the big picture, or I was inconsiderate,” she continued with a sigh.
“I’m also a person,” she added.
One thing she’s learned to do to help curb controversy is “recognising when it’s not your turn to speak.”
“I can be reactive. I can be impatient. That doesn’t mix that great with self-awareness.”
She went on to argue that actors don’t have a political or social responsibility:
“Some people want to, but the idea that you’re obligated to because you’re in the public eye is unfair.”
“You didn’t choose to be a politician, you’re an actor,” she continued.
She went on to say that an actor’s job is to “be a mirror for an audience” and to “have an empathetic experience through art.”
Instead, she wants people to connect with performances and have an emotional reaction.
One thing you’ll notice about Scarlett is that she’s not on social media. And there’s a reason for that.
“It creates this unrealistic sort of sense of ego,” she told the publication.
“Your sense of reality is completely skewed. It’s not normal to be that exposed,” she continued.
With less time spent on social media and worrying over past controversies, she has time to focus on what matters.
This largely includes her marriage to SNL star, Colin Jost, and her production company, The Pictures, where she’s currently working on an upcoming film.
For more of Scarlett’s interview with The Gentlewoman, read it here .
H/T: The Gentlewoman
