‘I S**t On It Because They S**t On It’: Halle Berry Explains How She Developed Her Razzie Acceptance Speech For Catwoman

by

‘I S**t On It Because They S**t On It’: Halle Berry Explains How She Developed Her Razzie Acceptance Speech For Catwoman

As a huge fan of Halle Berry’s illustrious acting career, I can’t help but be in awe of her resilience and unyielding spirit, especially when it comes to her experiences with the infamous “Catwoman” debacle. When I first heard that she was set to play the iconic DC Comics character, I was beyond excited. Halle Berry, an actress of such grace and talent, embodying Catwoman? It was a dream come true.

Among all live-action Catwomen portrayed in films, Halle Berry became a trailblazer as the first Black actress to bring the DC character to life on the big screen. Regrettably, the 2004 superhero movie “Catwoman” received lackluster critical reception and underperformed financially, collecting a total of seven Razzie Awards. Berry herself was honored with the Worst Actress Razzie for her performance in this film. In an interview, she shared the backstory behind crafting her bold acceptance speech, stating, “I panned it because they panned it.”

With the Razzie Awards sending out awards to what they perceive as the worst movies and performances of the year, it takes a strong actress to accept that award with gusto. Halle Berry was one of them as she still pokes fun at her Razzie win for Catwoman. However, the Bruised actress told EW why it was important for her to accept it with humor and triumph compared to defeat:

As a fan of this powerful and resilient individual, I can imagine her saying something like this: “I didn’t take kindly to the backlash. As a Black woman, I’ve carried the weight of negativity and fought against the current my whole life. I’ve defied stereotypes and made a way out of no way. I didn’t want to make light of it, but I picked up that Razzie award, had a good laugh at myself, and kept moving forward. The criticism about the movie didn’t shake me or halt my progress in pursuing what I love.”

Halle Berry has made history with numerous firsts for the African-American community. Prior to her acting career, she was the first Black woman to compete in the Miss World pageant in 1986 and placed sixth. After gaining global fame as an actress, notably in “X-Men” as Storm and “Swordfish” as a henchwoman, Berry made history by becoming the first (and currently only) African-American woman to win an Oscar at the 74th Academy Awards for her role in “Monster’s Ball.” Despite the less than stellar reception of her film “Catwoman,” it did not diminish her accomplishments and successes that followed in her acting career.

Halle Berry’s unique acceptance speech for her Razzies Award was marked by her gratitude towards Warner Bros. for casting her in a disappointing film and her manager for persuading her to take on subpar projects. Despite appearing to criticize her own movie during her speech, the star of “Cloud Atlas” clarified that she had to adopt this attitude as a means of counteracting the film’s critics.

I’ve been in the entertainment industry for a long time now, and I’ve learned that there are certain events where you just have to go with the flow. The Razzies, for instance, is an award ceremony dedicated to honoring the worst films of the year. So when I was invited to present an award there, I knew exactly what was expected of me.

Berry’s attitude towards her acting career and “Catwoman” despite receiving a Razzie Award is truly commendable. She may have expressed her dissatisfaction with the film, particularly feeling that her character’s rescue efforts of women in “Catwoman” were insufficient. If given the opportunity to direct it herself, she would have made significant changes, such as having the anti-heroine save the world like male superheroes do.

Reflecting on it, Catwoman paved the way for representation of Black communities and women in superhero films even before its release in 2004. In 2021, Berry spoke out against critics of the movie, sharing that many fans continue to express their appreciation for her portrayal of Catwoman and feeling empowered by donning the iconic costume.

As Halle Berry discussed the impact of “Catwoman”‘s box office flop on her career as a black actress, it’s important to remember that this single film represents just a fraction of her accomplished history.

As a Black woman growing up, you faced additional challenges that some may view as disadvantages. Yet, you possess an extraordinary ability to bounce back. I understand how frustrating it is that these challenges were often imposed upon you and that you feel responsible for them. However, looking back, you’ve managed to build a successful career spanning over two decades. These experiences are essential elements of your unique journey through life. People may hold various opinions, and sometimes they can be quite vocal. But the key is to keep pushing forward.

After the release of “Catwoman,” Halle Berry’s career continued to flourish with notable roles in projects. She earned an Emmy nomination for her performance in the ABC television film “Their Eyes Were Watching God.” Following that, she received accolades including the African-American Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “Frankie and Alice.” Berry also made her directorial debut with “Bruised,” which became the number one film on Netflix in 2021. With two new movies premiering this year, her success story is far from over despite the challenges faced with “Catwoman.”

Halle Berry spoke playfully at the Razzies about her role in “Catwoman,” saying, “I may have dropped a dud, but they did too!” With her lighthearted acceptance of the Worst Actress award, Berry proved that she’s not letting a single disappointing performance define her impressive career that started way back in 1989.

I’m really excited about Halle Berry’s upcoming projects! As a long-time fan of her acting skills and charisma, I can’t wait to add her latest Netflix release, “The Union,” to my watch list on August 16th. Having a Netflix subscription is a must for me, especially when it comes to staying updated with new releases from talented actors like Halle Berry.

Read More

2024-07-20 21:37