Scarlett Johansson Says She Has an "Okay Body"

Photo: Getty Images

Movie stars are often blamed for creating body-image issues among the general public, but even they’re not immune from self-criticism. In a new interview, Scarlett Johansson tells Barbara Walters that she doesn’t think her body is perfect.

Related: Scarlett says she does her own makeup

"Most women do not really like their bodies," Walters asks Johansson on last night’s Barbara Walters Presents: The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2014. “Do you like your body?”

"It’s an okay body, I guess," Johansson responded. "It functions. I wouldn’t say it’s particularly remarkable, though."

Walters continues, asking the star if she dislikes any body parts. “There’s lots of parts,” Johansson says, looking a little embarrassed. “I don’t like my thighs, my midsection. But I’m not complaining.”

Photo: Getty Images

Taken out of context, Johansson’s body insecurities are surprising—and disheartening—stuff, especially coming from a beautiful and intelligent actress. After all, if Scarlett Johansson doesn’t like her belly and thighs, what hope is there for those of us who haven’t been named Esquire's Sexiest Woman Alive?

Related: The honest truth about beauty after baby

But wait a minute. Is there any possible way for a drop-dead-gorgeous woman to answer the do-you-like-your-body question without setting herself up for criticism?

Think about it: If Johansson had responded that she likes her body, every last part, she’d be called arrogant, self-satisfied, or out of touch. Essentially, this line of questioning is a lose-lose situation for any woman in the public eye. (It’s indeed telling that men are rarely given questions about their body image.) Here’s hoping that Johansson comes to love her thighs and midsection in the near future—and that she isn’t asked to list off her least-favorite body parts again.