Robin Wright Shares Her Most Sexist Casting Story Ever — and It’s a Doozy
Robin Wright may be advocating for equality in the film business, but she has no problem discussing red carpet fashion. “You’re a woman, you wear a dress, and people say, ‘Why won’t they ask about the men and their tuxedoes and suits?’ Because they’re all wearing the same thing,” Wright said at a talk for Women in Motion in Cannes on Thursday morning.
Wright, in town to promote her short film The Dark of Night, walked the red carpet at the Palais de Festival the night before for the opening ceremony. While most other ladies wore gowns, Wright showed leg in a super-sexy Saint Laurent fall 2017 crystal-embellished mini.
“That red carpet, it’s always going to be about the fashion. That’s why it’s there, that’s why people are stopped on that red carpet — because they’re wearing a designer’s piece. And you’re there to sell, you’re doing them a favor. And they are doing you a favor by giving you publicity. It’s a give-and-take.”
The House of Cards first lady, who joked that Donald Trump has stolen all their ideas for Season 6, revealed she has not modeled Claire Underwood after a real-life politician. She does, however, have wishes for who the first female president should be. “I was thinking about the year 2024 … I want to keep this vision of, I want Michele Obama up there. She’d be a great female candidate. It does take time to break the mold.”
In regards to inequality in film, Wright believes change will come. “I think it’s just a matter of time and breaking an old school of thought, opening up perspective.”
What she doesn’t like is how the word feminism is regarded. “Feminism, today, has become such a derogatory, diva-like word. Feminism means equality. Equal work, equal pay.”
The most sexist thing that’s ever happened to Wright is a doozy. “I was 17 and in Paris, and I went in for a go-see. The director said, ‘I liked the other one’s [breasts] better.’ That was during the audition. I didn’t get the job.”
Her advice for women: “You don’t have to yell. You can just stand your ground, speak your truth, and amplify your voice in that way. We don’t want to be treated with more disparity, just join forces.”
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