Reese Witherspoon Says Women Who Make A Lot Of Money Are Often Shamed For It. Her Message Is Relevant To All Working Women
It’s no secret that Bollywood has had an issue with women since forever. There is a deep gender divide and the men are put on a pedestal. Which of course means, they earn three times more than women. However, here is a news flash. Hollywood isn’t that far behind. Issues like pay parity are extremely rampant and a lot of women who do earn more than men are shamed for it. In a recent interview, actress Reese Witherspoon addresses this issue and hers is a message that is relevant to all women who are working professionals. So listen up.
In the episode of the “HFPA in Conversation” podcast, released Christmas Day, journalist Margaret Gardiner first reminded Reese Witherspoon about an incident that occurred at the 2002 Academy Awards when she and her then husband Ryan Phillippe were presenting the award for best makeup.
After the ex-couple read out the nominations for that year’s category of Best Makeup, Reese asked Ryan if she could be the one who announces the winner. His reply to her question left her visibly staggered. He replied saying, “You make more than I do. Go ahead.” Erm, someone was seriously butt hurt. There is no worse place to display your bruised ego than the Academy Award stage.
Anyway, after journalist Margaret Gardiner reminded Reese Witherspoon of this incident, she said that she had totally forgotten it happened. She said on the podcast, “He did say that, and no, it wasn’t scripted. He didn’t tell me he was going to say that before it happened on air. So, I was a little bit flummoxed in the moment.”
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Also Read: Reese Witherspoon Opens Up About Being Assaulted During Her Time As A Child Actor. We Are Appalled By How Common This Is.
She went on to say that although “gender norms have changed quite a bit” in the last two decades, the few women in Hollywood who make “a lot of money” are still “shamed.” Further adding, “Sometimes they are expected to give more and do more and be more to others in the same position that maybe a male movie star may not be expected.”
Why only Hollywood? This is relevant to women working in any profession. A woman who earns more or equal to a man is required to put in twice as much work than a man in her position would be. It’s sexist and highly unfair.
Reese Witherspoon then recalled an incident involving her daughter, Ava, when she was in the second grade. Ava was “embarrassed” when a classmate of hers brought up the fact that her mother, Reese, is one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. She told her daughter to never be ashamed of a woman making money.
She said, “I said, ‘Don’t ever feel ashamed of a woman making money,’ ” Further adding, “There are women all over this world who don’t have an opportunity or an education or the ability to make money. The more women who make more money will give more money away, will take care of their societies, will take care of their communities, will do more with that money.”
We laud Reese for her message and hope that women everywhere will fight for their right to be paid as much as their male counterparts without feeling ashamed about it.
https://thehauterfly.com/lifestyle/reese-witherspoon-says-online-streaming-platforms-have-been-a-blessing-for-women-and-we-agree/
