Florence Pugh Says It’s ‘Exhausting’ for Women in Hollywood, Recalls Seeing ‘Godawful Headlines About How Keira Knightley Isn’t Thin Anymore’

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As an ardent follower of the silver screen and a keen observer of the lives behind the glitz and glamour, I find myself deeply moved by the experiences shared by Florence Pugh and Keira Knightley. Their journeys, marred by body shaming, public scrutiny, and the relentless pursuit of perfection, serve as stark reminders of the unspoken rules that govern Hollywood.

Florence Pugh, aged 28 and an Academy Award nominee, shared with The Sunday Times that it’s demanding being a young woman in Hollywood. Having been a working actor since her teenage years, she understands the recent controversies surrounding Keira Knightley, whose life was impacted negatively by media scrutiny when she became a global sensation at 17 following the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series.

In my own words, I express that it’s tiresome for a young woman like me, working in any field, to constantly face the expectations and labels set by others. For instance, if a woman asserts herself too much or demands what she truly deserves, she might be labeled as a ‘diva’, which is not a role I wish to embrace. I strive to break free from such stereotypes imposed by others.

She went on to say, “I’ve always felt like I wasn’t included in this field. I recall distressing headlines criticizing Keira Knightley for not being thin enough, or women facing harsh scrutiny despite their undeniable talent and beauty. It seems all people want to discuss is insignificant matters concerning their appearance. Therefore, I chose to disregard those standards.

2022 saw Pugh openly confessing to The Telegraph that her decision to become an actress felt like a significant error, following instances of body shaming by studio bosses at the age of 19. This revelation came during her tenure in her first major role, the lead part in the Fox sitcom “Studio City,” which she secured shortly after her debut performance in the 2014 psychological drama “The Falling.” Regrettably, these studio executives who hired her for the show started body shaming her immediately upon her selection. The allegations suggest that they demanded Pugh to alter aspects of her physical appearance.

Pugh stated that all the aspects they were attempting to transform in her – such as weight loss, cosmetic changes, facial structure, or eyebrow shape – were not her desired choices. She had believed the film industry would resemble her experience on ‘The Falling,’ but instead, she found herself at the top of the game and felt that she had made a significant error in judgment.

Meanwhile, Knightley has shared with The Times of London that she has been persistently criticized by the press as a poor actor following the initial release of “Pirates” in cinemas. Subsequently, she faced numerous years of media conjecture about her weight and unfounded rumors suggesting she suffered from an eating disorder.

It’s intriguing how something can simultaneously bring you to your knees and open doors for you, as Knightley explained. People often saw me in a negative light because of them, yet their success granted me the chance to star in films that eventually earned me Oscar nominations. They were the most significant projects I’ve ever been involved with, but they also led to my public downfall. So, they occupy a complex space in my mind.

Read Pugh’s full interview with The Sunday Times here.

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2024-12-16 18:17