Actress and filmmaker Rose McGowan has come to the defence of Renée Zellweger, penning an open letter in response to an article in Variety with the title ‘Renée Zellweger: If She No Longer Looks Like Herself, Has She Become A Different Actress?’
In her essay, published in The Hollywood Reporter, McGowan argues that the original feature – written by critic Owen Gleiberman - is yet another example of the way women in Hollywood are held to double standards, criticised and bullied for their appearances, before describing Gleiberman as ‘an active endorser of what is tantamount to harassment and abuse of actresses and women.’
In his Variety piece, Gleiberman uses Zellweger as a focal point to debate the alleged use of plastic surgery in Hollywood, after watching a trailer for the forthcoming Bridget Jones’ Baby and believing the actress’s appearance to have changed significantly.
Describing the actress as ‘beautiful in the way an ordinary person is’ (backhanded compliment, anyone?), he went on to argue that Zellweger’s appearance was a crucial reason for the success of the Bridget Jones franchise, writing:
‘It […] may look to a great many people like something more than an elaborate make-up job has taken place, but we can't say for sure. What we can say is that if that happened, it reflects something indescribably sad about our culture […] Zellweger […] has been a poster girl for the notion that each and every one of us is beautiful in just the way God made us.’
Anyone else feeling slightly uncomfortable that a male writer thinks it appropriate to dedicate an entire column to picking apart a woman’s appearance because it doesn’t correspond to his ideal?
In her impassioned response, McGowan describes the Variety feature as exemplifying the ‘status quo white male privilege’ she sees as endemic in Hollywood, writing:
‘Renee Zellweger is a human being, with feelings, with a life, with love and with triumphs and struggles, just like the rest of us. How dare you use her as a punching bag in your mistaken attempt to make a mark at your new job. How dare you bully a woman who has done nothing but try to entertain people like you. Her crime, according to you, is growing older in a way you don’t approve of. Who are you to approve of anything? What you are doing is vile, damaging, stupid and cruel. It also reeks of status quo white-male privilege. So assured are you in your place in the firmament that is Hollywood, you felt it was OK to do this. And your editors at Variety felt this was more than OK to run.’
The Charmed star goes on to describe the ‘abuse’ she has personally experienced while working as an actress, before ‘ris[ing] up from some serious ashes to finally have [her] say.’
To neatly illustrate her point about Hollywood’s double standard, she goes on to replace Zellweger’s name in the original piece with those of a host of male A-listers – Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio included.
Can we get an Amen? If you read one thing today, make sure it’s Rose’s essay. Hollywood needs more voices like hers.
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