Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images
Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman‘s career is in renaissance – the 52-year-old actress is landing more powerful parts than ever and winning prestigious awards by the handful. Her roles in Bombshell and Big Little Lies were met with serious critical acclaim and she’s showing no signs of slowing down any time soon. Nicole is committed to celebrating women’s stories, both on screen and behind the camera. Here’s how one woman is enacting serious change in Hollywood.
ALSO SEE: Unmissable Moments From The 77th Golden Globe Awards
Nicole demands action
Bombshell deals with the issue of workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault head on. There’s no shying away from the ills that plagued Fox News for years. Nicole plays news anchor Gretchen Carlson, who brought down Fox News’ CEO under accusations of sexual assault.
“I respond viscerally to the issue of sexual harassment and discrimination,” says Nicole. She continues on to say that this issue is non-partisan, and directly affects us all. “It’s not right. I don’t want it to happen to my children. I don’t want this to continue in society.”
Bombshell is about more than just Fox News. Ultimately it’s a film about the abuse and misuse of power. Nicole notes that this abuse “has to stop so the world can be a safer place for all of us.”
ALSO SEE: These Blonde ‘Bombshells’ Are Taking The Entertainment World By Storm
Pledging to work with women
Hollywood has historically been a boy’s game, with women infrequently allowed a seat at the table. Nicole is insistent on changing that. But how, and where to start?
Well, she made a pledge a few years ago to work with a female director every 18 months. Famously saying that “you have to act if you want to make things happen”, Nicole has committed to closing the gap between the number of male and female film directors. The ratio of female to male directors is still shockingly low – reportedly 11% women and 89% men.
Feeling that the industry was ripe for change, Nicole made it her mission to get out there and actually make changes in the interest of women. “So that’s where I am and what I’m trying to do at this stage of my career”, she explains. She’s determined to change the statistics.
ALSO SEE: Women In The Workplace: Why 55% Lack Confidence
Encouraging strong female roles
On women’s narratives, Nicole comments: “I’m grateful that more and more women’s stories are being told – in film and on TV.” Nicole engages with female roles in her capacity as both an actress and a producer.
At the moment, she’s producing a series for Amazon called The Expatriates, which is based on a novel of the same name. This series is set to boast several strong female characters. Nicole credits these roles to streaming services, saying “Thanks to streaming, there are many more opportunities out there at the moment.”
Also, Nicole will star in Nine Perfect Strangers alongside Melissa McCarthy, which you can read more about here.
Speaking out
Nicole had a few choice words after this year’s Oscar nominations were announced. Once more, no women were nominated in the ‘Best Director’ category, despite their films being nominated in the ‘Best Picture’ category.
When asked about the snub, Nicole noted that although slow, change is in the air in Hollywood. Speaking during an HBO press tour, Nicole had this to say:
“I think the progress is just (to) choose to work with the people we love and the women we love and the times they are a-changin’,” she announced. “So that’s all we can do. Keep talking about it and supporting and I see all these women standing here going ‘yeah!’ But that’s what we’re doing. And I do believe it is changing.”
ALSO SEE: 5 Reasons Why You Should Buy Our February Issue
By Features Writer, Ashton Kirsten
