What are you wearing? Is that egg on your face? Despite the fact that it’s the 21st century, women in the public eye still get asked some of the most uninformed, sexist questions during interviews. Some women respond gracefully, some join up with the #AskHerMore campaign, some wake the neighbors with the sound of a gigantic eye roll, some pull off their rings and kick off their shoes fixin’ to get real… But all of them have to deal with sexism in Hollywood.
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!
Women Standing Up to Sexist Interview Questions,
Anne Hathaway
Q: You had to make sure you were in perfect shape, right? ... Is there a certain regimen you put yourself through? In terms of the diet, the workout?
A: Are you trying to lose weight? What’s the deal, man? You look great. No, no, seriously, we have to talk about this… what do you want? Are you trying to fit into a catsuit?
Hathaway was busy putting fools in the burn ward after this takedown of Extra’s repeat-offender of lopsided questions Jerry Penacoli. Instead of asking about how she built her character or to do her best impression of Batman yelling at a crew member, Penacoli focused on how she fit into Catwoman's catsuit. Because that's what's important.
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.
Jennifer Garner
Q: How do you balance work and family?
A: A badass speech about double standards.
Two actors. Same profession. Same event: Women in Hollywood. Ben Affleck is asked about his work, Garner is asked how she can possibly be a working mom. Fortunately, Garner was speaking at the event that night and got the chance to fight back, going on to say, "As for work-balance, [Ben] said no one asked him about it that day. As a matter of fact, no one had ever asked him about it. And we do share the same family. Isn’t it time to kinda change that conversation?”
Lauren Katherine Conrad
Q: What’s your favorite position?
A: CEO.
Lauren Conrad was on Sway in the Morning and apparently they have a mystery question sack. She got to pull three questions out of this sack, the last of which was this intrusive ask. Conrad took two seconds before she sweetly answered as above.
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.
Science. It’s for everyone! This genius at the SAG Awards red carpet asked Mayim Bialik about her math skillz, and got schooled.
Rihanna
Q: What are you looking for in a man… to wear this fragrance?
A: I’m not looking for a man. Let’s start there.
You tell 'em, RiRi. At the Atlanta launch party for her men’s fragrance line, Rogue Man, a reporter put an unfortunate pause in their question, causing Rihanna to roll back on her heels, lean in, and deliver her verbal punch.
Scarlett Johansson
Q: Now, were you able to wear... undergarments?
A: What's going on? You're like the fifth person to ask me that question. Since when did people start asking each other in this industry about their underwear?
The Extra reporter certainly regretted this question after Jeremy Renner dropped his head in shame, and all attempts at salvaging the question were for naught. Who knew promoting The Avengers was really just a panel about undergarments.
Cara Delevingne
Q: "I saw you in London talking a couple of weeks ago on TV, and you seemed a lot more excited about it than you do right now. Are you just exhausted?"
A: "No. I mean, I'm still very excited. You know, the premiere was last night, it was an emotional night, it felt like the end of an era. But I'm not any less excited than I was a couple of weeks ago. Maybe I had a bit more energy, it is the morning."
Q: "You do seem a bit irritated. Perhaps it's just us."
A: "Yeah, I think it's just you."
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.’’
Elena Serova
Q: What do you think you’ll worry about in your every day life on the station, such as your hair? How will you do your hair?
A: I have a question for you. Why don’t you ask about Alexander’s hair?
Russian Cosmonaut Elena Serova was the first female Russian cosmonaut to be on the International Space Station. Like the first one ever. So during a press conference with all of the ISS team, why wouldn't they ask her about her hair? One small step for women, one giant leap for shade.