Media Women Standing Up to Sexist Interview Questions
More and more female celebrities and public figures have been calling out the media about sexist, lopsided, softball, and just plain lazy questions. Robert Downey Jr. probably doesn't get asked about his skin care regime fives times during a full day of press, but women are asked these dumb and dull questions interview after interview.
Tips! We've got tips for interviewers. Maybe watch the movies, come up with better questions, hire a writer to help you craft better questions, shake up an ‘80s magic eight ball, ask the nearest child, consult a fortune cookie… there’s a way to be better. So be better.
When it comes to reacting to those sexist questions on the red carpet, who withstood dumbassery the best? Which of these famous actresses decided they'd had enough and wouldn't answer one more question about their dress, beauty routine, or the balance of work and family life. From the Mani Cam to who Taylor Swift is going home with (hint: it's her cats), these famous women stood up to reporters and their ridiculous, sexism-fueled questions, taking back the runway and their interview time. So upvote the best actress responses to sexist questions below, and leave some good interview question ideas for reporters in the comments section!
Jennifer Garner
Q: How do you balance work and family?
A: A badass speech about double standards.
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Mayim Bialik
Q: Being on The Big Bang Theory, how many people - not that you aren’t a genius - think that you can solve calculus at the drop of the hat?
A: I actually was trained in calculus for several years. I’m a neuroscientist... Yeah, I can do calculus.
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Helen Mirren
Q: Do you find, in fact, that what could be best described as your equipment, in fact, hinders you in that pursuit [of being taken seriously as an actress]?
A: I'd like you to explain what you mean by my equipment. In great detail.
Q: Well, your physical attributes.
A: You mean my fingers?
Q: No, I meant your figure.
A: Because serious actresses can't have big bosoms. Is that what you mean?
Helen Mirren is an OG when it comes to standing up to sexist questions in interviews. This heated exchange, from 1975, was conducted to promote a staging of Macbeth in which Mirren starred as Lady Macbeth. Apparently, even when you do Shakespeare, if you're a woman, the questions come down to sex appeal. Almost the entire 15-minute interview consists of Mirren batting down, redirecting, or undermining sexist, ignorant comments from host Michael Parkinson.
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Nicki Minaj (Again)
Nicki Minaj shut down a New York Times Magazine reporter who accused her of feeding off the of the drama between her boyfriend, Meek Mill, and Drake.
Q: ‘‘Is there a part of you that thrives on drama, or is it no, just pain and unpleasantness—’’
A: ‘‘That’s disrespectful. Why would a grown-ass woman thrive off drama?‘ What do the four men you just named [Meek Mill, Drake, Bryan Williams AKA Birdman, and Lil Wayne] have to do with me thriving off drama? Why would you even say that? That’s so peculiar. Four grown-ass men are having issues between themselves, and you’re asking me do I thrive off drama?
‘‘That’s the typical thing that women do. What did you putting me down right there do for you? Women blame women for things that have nothing to do with them. I really want to know why — as a matter of fact, I don’t. Can we move on, do you have anything else to ask?
"To put down a woman for something that men do, as if they’re children and I’m responsible, has nothing to do with you asking stupid questions, because you know that’s not just a stupid question. That’s a premeditated thing you just did. Do not speak to me like I’m stupid or beneath you in any way. I don’t care to speak to you anymore.’’