As a seasoned film enthusiast with a penchant for delving into the lives of my beloved stars, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of empathy for Winona Ryder. Her journey through Hollywood, marked by talent and resilience, has been fraught with challenges that many of us could scarcely imagine.
In a recent conversation with Esquire, actress Winona Ryder, most recognized for her role in “Beetlejuice,” discussed difficult periods in her career. During this open dialogue, she shared experiences about Harvey Weinstein’s influence on her work and how she faced sexual harassment as an upcoming Hollywood starlet. Although Weinstein is currently incarcerated for numerous charges of sexual assault, including rape, Winona Ryder’s encounters with the disgraced mogul were detrimental in ways other than that.
“Once, I was scheduled to meet with Harvey Weinstein at Miramax’s office. Upon arrival, I greeted him by shaking his hand, we sat on a couch and conversed. Following our conversation, I left. However, afterwards, I received a scathing reprimand from an agent, ‘What the hell did you do?’ I was puzzled, as I learned later that I had offended him by extending my handshake.”
Before that, there was an incident when Ryder starred in Miramax’s The House of Spirits. Weinstein went to Ryder’s trailer and said he wanted her to appear in a film adaptation of Little Voice he was producing. Ryder told Weinstein that she had watched the play in London and should cast the actress in the production. Weinstein’s reaction? “…he got very weird and he left.”
In her perspective, Ryder felt that Weinstein was not fond of her because she may have known too much about certain matters. Despite having a flourishing career marked by hits like “Beetlejuice,” “Heathers,” and “Edward Scissorhands,” among others, which included an Academy Award nomination for “The Age of Innocence,” Ryder encountered a professional setback in 2001. She suggests that this was due to being shunned by Miramax.
Winona Ryder Recalls Blatant Sexual Harassment
During her interview with Esquire, Ryder revealed some challenging encounters she faced in her late twenties, where a few individuals openly subjected her to inappropriate and unwanted sexual advances. She unequivocally conveyed her understanding of the seriousness of these incidents, highlighting their unsettling and awkward nature.
In my thirties, another similar incident occurred. It wasn’t an attack, but it was highly inappropriate and bizarre. The experience made me realize the ordeal that victims of individuals like Weinstein must have endured. Fortunately, due to my recognized status, such incidents occurred less frequently than they might have for a struggling actor. However, I recall the mental turmoil: you’re discussing terms, contemplating the potential consequences if you speak up, all while this person is acting inappropriately and making you uncomfortable.
Ryder conversed about the events with her “Beetlejuice” co-star Jenna Ortega, and as she expressed it, she exclaimed something along the lines of, “Wow, that’s really disturbing.” The much-awaited “Beetlejuice” remake transports Ryder back to the role that catapulted her to fame. At 15, Ryder starred in the original 1988 movie, and she notes the parallels between herself and the iconic Lydia Deetz character.
“I bore a striking resemblance to Lydia. She hardly needed to make any adjustments with me. My brother discovered a photo of me, taken about a month prior to the audition. In it, I’d dyed my hair a deep blue-black, sported wildly short bangs, and wore all black.”
On September 6, the movie titled “Beetlejuice” starring Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Catherine O’Hara, and Ortega will be released in cinemas. This film kicked off the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 28, earning a warm reception with a standing ovation.
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2024-08-30 20:35