Octavia Spencer wants to see women of “all shapes and sizes” in movies, and we 100% agree
As if we needed another reason to absolutely LOVE her, Octavia Spencer has spoken up about diversity in film, and what she said is so important.
It’s come as no surprise that Octavia Spencer has been nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Hidden Figures, the film about three African American women who helped NASA develop the space program. Spencer has since been being an incredible human by buying out screenings of the movie for low-income families (amazing), giving people a chance to see this important untold story of three amazing real women in history.
What’s more, the star, who previously won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Help in 2012, has been speaking out about why it’s important to tell diverse stories in films, and how they are actually universal stories about life.
A photo posted by Octavia Spencer (@therealoctaviaspencer) on Jan 18, 2017 at 10:49am PST
Now Octavia Spencer spoken about her dreams for the entertainment industry, and we 100% agree.
Speaking during a Q&A session on Thursday (January 26th) after accepting the Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year Award at Harvard University, Spencer said that she actually preferred to be on the other side of the camera.
“My dream role is that of a producer, a woman behind the scenes who creates roles for diversity in film,” she said. “And when I say diversity, I mean I want to see women of all shapes and sizes, people of all shapes and sizes, people with disabilities. It’s about creating a landscape that demonstrates what our society is as a whole.”
Continuing, Spencer said that she felt some level of responsibility to help spread this diversity.
“As a female who’s African American, who is also a producer, it’s my job to make sure I voice those opinions,” she said. “And women also have to ask for what they want. Sometimes they’re going to say no, but all we need is one yes.”
Octavia Spencer also said that her Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress was “sweeter the second time around,” but that she felt that Viola Davis would win. Davis recently made history as the first black woman to be nominated for an Academy Award three times after she was recently nominated for her role in Fences.
Watch the Q&A below (video begins at the seven-minute mark).
Octavia Spencer: Live Q&A with the Hasty Pudding Theatricals' ...
Live Q&A with Octavia Spencer at the 2017 Hasty Pudding Theatrical's Woman of the Year press conference. Submit your questions in the comments section or on twitter to The Hasty Pudding with #WOY2017 Octavia Spencer
Nai-post ni The Hasty Pudding noong Huwebes, Enero 26, 2017
It’s so refreshing to see actors like Octavia Spencer being celebrated, and it’s incredible to see how they’re inspiring people through their work. What’s more, we 100% agree with everything she’s saying about more diversity in movies. Hopefully, as this year’s Oscar’s indicate, we’re going to see a shift in representation as things go forward!
