Here are some photos of Alexander Skarsgard in LA this week to promote The Diary of a Teenage Girl. It comes out in August, which means that we’re getting some new Skarsgard interviews, YAY. It feels like it’s been forever and a day since we’ve actually covered Alex saying words. We did cover him a few months ago when all of the gossip exploded about his relationship with Alexa Chung – which still seems to be on, by the way – but otherwise, Alex has been doing the lower-profile thing. It’s good to hear from him! Alex gave a long interview to The Evening Standard and he ended up discussing sexism, Hollywood and Sweden vs. America.
Sexism in Hollywood: “Sexism is a big problem in Hollywood. Boys can talk about sex and have sex in films and it’s cool but when girls do it they are just sluts. It’s so prudish and puritanical. Hollywood is difficult for women — people making films want super-hot, young girls, and then there are fewer great roles for women aged over 40.”
His ‘Teenage Girl’ director, Mari Heller: “Mari Heller doesn’t give a f**k about the status quo. Voices like hers might break the barrier [of sexism] — or shatter it at least. It isn’t a traditional Hollywood movie, and when we filmed it no one was making decisions based on what would be commercially successful.”
The Alexa Chung thing: Skarsgård’s gentlemanly heroism extends to his love life. I have been given warnings from at least three publicists not to mention his relationship with model and presenter Alexa Chung. When I do break the rules and venture that she seems nice, he can’t resist a soppy smile. Later, when we discuss whether he would like to settle down, he says he “would like children”.
Whether he worries about the press focusing on his girlfriends: “I do but the healthiest thing is not to dip into it, otherwise all the noise out there would drive me crazy. If you fall in love you figure it out and make it work.”
Glastonbury: “I’m not into Kanye West and not a good dancer but loved the Buzzcocks, one of my favourite bands of all time, and Perfume Genius.”
His English-speaking accent: “[It’s] kinda southern American.”
Sweden vs. America: “I’m not saying everything in Sweden is perfect because it’s not. But it is interesting having grown up in a social democratic country such as Sweden, and then watching what’s going on in the US and the income disparity. The system in Sweden is great because you get free healthcare and free education; someone who doesn’t have a lot of money can become a doctor or lawyer. There’s good paternity and maternity leave — the US is probably the only civilised country in the world that doesn’t give parents anything. Sweden is a good country to raise a family in because there is an equality there I don’t feel in the States.”
Whether Hollywood is tough on leading men: “If you are a 65-year-old dude you can still be the leading man and have an onscreen romance with a 25-year-old and that’s fine — you’ll never see the reversal of that. It is much easier getting older as a male.”
Going to the South Pole with Prince Harry and Dominic West: “We were there for a month, completely isolated. You talk about everything — it’s a profound experience. We talked about how to stay grounded. I love to be disconnected like that.”
What’s next for him: “Maybe settling down, maybe not…I want to catch up on reading. The last book I read was Noam Chomsky on anarchism; maybe I will become an anarchist.”
I think the knee-jerk MURICA reaction would be “this douchey Swede is disrespecting my country, deport him!” But I think what Alex says is true and utterly valid, especially since he was raised in Sweden, has a deep connection to the way Sweden handles those kind of social issues, and because he’s spent much of the past decade living and working in America. He has every right to make the comparison and I think his argument contains no lies. As for Alex the Feminist… he’s lovely. Truly lovely.
Here are some photos of Alex at Glastonbury last month – I never did get around to publishing these, did I? He was there with Alexa Chung.
Photos courtesy of Getty, WENN.
He’s right.
Truth hurts.
yup. I’m american and I’m always considering whether I want to move abroad…plus I adore europe. He’s not saying anything countless americans have not picked up on by now
I am an American living in Canada. No place is perfect, but I would feel like it’d be a downgrade to go back to the US with all the perks we get up here (healthcare and loads more paid holidays; I am off this coming monday for example, in addition to more paid time off etc).
I’m not an American and despite living in Canada which is a lovely place (where I am), Sweden is a completely different story toanything I had ever experienced in my European childhood and still remains in my heart. I was lucky enough to work there after I graduated, for a Swedish company, and the country, tne attitude, my managers, the relations within the company, the whole atmosphere around was open, friendly,amd easy to breathe in. Just like Sweden itself. It’s a great place with great culture, love it! Super cool people,families raising lots of kids,mixing up with ex-s and their ex-s, a family fair really. 🙂 And it feels so right there. I couldn’t imagine it feeling so right anywhere else. Unique people.
Ah Alex can speak for equality anytime, with that blonde hair, the blue eyes, the scruff, that smile…mmm what was he talking about again?
I agree and he is my favorite, save for Matt Bomer, but I really don’t get his taste in mates.
I’m happy to be called out for objectifying him, but DAYYUM Viking!!!!
he has made a career of of his body and sex appeal, which is primarily why he makes it on to this site. If he doesn’t believe in discrimination maybe he should wear a potato sack, put a bag over his head, and give back the money he has earned due to his sex appeal?
He can be a good actor actually, just watch Generation Kill.
And he never said it was bad to make money out of his sex appeal, just that it gets harder for older women…
I never really liked him until I saw Generation Kill, now I think he’s so underrated as an actor.
Perhaps you missed the point…
+1
its probably a little provocative but the point stands. most people in hollywood are there because they look not because they have merit. Do you think only physically flawless people have acting talent? He would not hold his ground against actually good actor, he is cast because women want to have sex with him.
there is huge discrimination against unattractive people, in the USA as a good looking person you make about 200,000$ more in life earnings. you will get lower prison sentences, you will easier get out of trouble, people assume you are a good person (kind and smart, just based on your looks) and we obviously dont have to talkb aout the romantic and sex life which for many people does not even exist simply because they were born unattractive.
another privilege is that handsome men have it a lot easier to be seens as a good guy, as you can see here. an ugly dude saying the same things wouldnt get any attention. but handsome men get put on a pedestal for saying basic stuff.
@Ronda: On point. And then some people get really judgy when others go to plastic surgery trying to fit into the unrealistic standards. Beauty is put on a pedestal and people with nice attributes get a pass when others less lucky would be called on stuff. I never blame anyone who tries to improve themselves because there’s a pressure to look good and the way images have invaded our world it just made everything worse. To me this is a sort of elephant in room.
He speaks thoughtfully. I don’t think anyone should be offended by what he said. Plus, he is most certainly not a douche. Nothing like that Arianna twit who declared her hatred for the US.
Hey. next some guy is going to tell us that the sky is blue!
Sure, he’s stating the obvious, but that’s still miles ahead of some famous men and women who claim misogyny isn’t a problem and that people are too politically correct and garbage like that.
Right? He’s hardly spouting things Americans don’t know, lol. I’d prefer to be living in a socialist democracy, as well, but my family is here :\
So nice
Meh. He didn’t really dig deeper other than the bullet points. It’s possible I’m too harsh on celebrities and I simply don’t follow this man to know how in depth he talks about social issues, but what he said was just basic. Currently it just feels like he says it to promote his movie, but pats himself on the back for deigning to acknowledge it at all.
I’m not sure why you think he’s patting himself on the back for it. He often talks about social issues, it’s just that this is the current topic at hand considering the subject of his movie (which stars a woman and is written and directed by a woman).
Sorry. I didn’t mean to direct that last comment at him, when I was writing it was directed at men in general who pat themselves on the back for daring to acknowledging the obvious at all. He’s not doing anything really special here and he’s falling into line with quite a few of the liberal men I know. All basic talk for which they get applauded for constantly. Superficial understanding of the issues to soothe their own egos.
Thank you. I was hoping the women on here (including Kaiser) wouldn’t be cheering and doing back flips because he said the bare minimum on sexism in the industry.
Kudos for him on being aware of the issue, more so than someone say like Russell Crowe, but applauding him as this great feminist now would be silly.
Makes me love him more.
And I agree with what he says about…no country is perfect and we do some things well and others not so well (just like every other country).
It’s all the more evident when you r raised in a multicultural household.
sure, sweden WAS great once. Not so much anymore. We are bleeding money. Fine, we have tax funded health care but you have to fight to see a doctor. In the summer? Forget it. There are cancer patients that don’t get chemo. I have a chronic painful disease and I lost count on how many times I’ve been lied to by the nurses: “oh no there is no time limit on when we have to schedule your next surgery”. “you’re in so much pain you can’t work? Well to bad for you your doctors office is closed and it’s not this hospitals responsibility help you. Though luck” You need private health insurance to get help in time.
AAAAARRRGHHHH! I’m so pissed off. Sweden has gone down hill really fast. I’m a bitch and perfectly aware of my rights so I fight until I get help. But not all are. And regarding the schools and university being free, they still are. But I don’t think they will be for much longer. Worlds highest taxes should give you more than this. can’t wait to get out of this country.
I think this is something a lot of people here in the US overlook when they talk about “free” healthcare and education. It’t not free. The money has to come from somewhere, and that’s the taxpayer through the government.
Only dumb people overlook that. Everyone knows that “free” means taxpayer funded. And even if in countries like Sweden and the UK there are sometimes problems with the national health services, private insurance is always an option.
In America, one of the biggest causes of bankruptcy is medical bills.
@ Lana
I wouldn’t want to live in the US based on the health care system. And let’s face it, I probably can’t either? Would I get health insurance with a pre existing condition that will require more surgeries and medical treatment? I’m honestly asking here because I kind of want to live in San Francisco 🙂
I think everyone should get healthcare without having to put themselves in debt for the rest of their lives. I just wanted to point out that Sweden is no dream where everyone get help in time and all is well. People (and worst of all, children) die because theý dont get treatment and help in time. In this perspective Sweden is worse than the US I think. Here you would never get a loan from the bank to get treatment/surgery in a private practice.
And more people than you think over look the fact that “free” = paid by working tax payers…..
@ Lilian Yes I think it was better when Alex still lived in Stockholm. According to my mum the health care system was much much better when I was young (I’m in my mid thirties) but it started to go down hill about 10-15 years ago and the past 5 years it’s gone really fast.
Actually yes, the new healthcare law has made it illegal to deny insurance based on pre-existing conditions.
Really? And they can’t make an exception? They have to cover treatment for my illness?
As an American living in Canada, US healthcare nickels and dimes you to death. co pay this every time you see a regular doctor or specialist, pay this for prescriptions etc. I shudder to think the loads of money I could have spent on other things that I spent on healthcare. I cannot imagine ever going back to that, because the pay is much lower too to boot!
I know but It’s the idea of helping less lucky people by paying taxes that still appeals to me even if our healhtcare isn’t what it used to be
Maria, Our taxes are not the highest in the world. Not even the highest in Europe. The public health care is probably comparable to many other European countries. I never had a problem seeing a doctor. What makes me particularily grateful to live in Sweden though is how easy it is to combine kids with career here. The parental leave is very generous (1,5 yrs) and can be shared equally between both parents. This is also reflected in the attitudes – I have stayed at home nine month with each of my three children and I have not suffered any discrimination coming back to work. If one of my kids are sick my employer has no problem with me taking one or two days off to care for them. And don’t get me started on the subsidised daycare. We pay in total €200 per month to have our kids in a good daycare so that we can both work – we both enjoy our jobs. I know the dubsidised daycare is paid for by taxes but the idea behind it is that if mothers also work this will bring more money to the state than what the state actually spend on the subsidies.
It’s nice to have the perspective of someone who actually lives there. I guess when Alex did live there things were better in the health care system.
I missed Alex! I think he says sensible things and is very easy on the eyes….
Maria thanks for that. Here in the US when OBAMA started running and brining up healthcare I tried to explain to Americans who have never left the country and never traveled what the real deal is on this health care. A while ago it was 5 year wait for a Hip replacement in England and Scotland. I will not even get into the mental health situation over there and the waiting time it takes. Let alone how poor it is in America. When my father in law was dying in a hospital in Scotland the room did not even have a phone. (Unless of course you pay for your own doctor, hospital). That is just one example.
I have no idea what the answer is to any of this mess in America or in the world. I just know I am tired of propaganda.
I love his dad and I am glad to see that he is informed and not shy about talking about certain things. The discussion part is important.
I’m swedish/american and grew up in both countries and love them both. However, I much prefer the swedish system and that taxmoney founding education and healtcare for all. I also like the fact that I got five weeks paid vacation.
My stepbrother got diagnosed with leukemia this summer and he immeadiately got specialized care and got started on his treatment within days.
I have also been to the doctor a couple of times (nothing serious) and there was no problem with getting an appointment. I also receive specialist care for a condition I got and I must say that those doctors have really engaged and put their energy in finding a treatment that works for me.
Of course, sometimes I read headlines of people who don’t get good care, and that’s why those cases are in the news, but I think most of the times the system works.
Not everything is perfect in Sweden, it gets very cold and dark in the winter, and this summer rained away. We also have a nationalistic (racist) party that is gaining more and more popularity. But when it comes to healthcare I can’t complain.
Living in the states I had very good
through my dad’s job, but I know that not everyone is so lucky.
I agree with that and it’s the same about Canada. On this thread I read Americans living in Canada praising the Canadian system but the Canadian newspapers comments sections are regularly exploding with complaints. I personally, and my child, have needed and have received hospitalization and special treatment more than once. I have never had any problem receiving it and when the condition has been serious, we have received immediate and very hign level care. Therefore, to me, Canadian system works just like you say Swedish works and despite the fact that there are many people criticizing it. I would guess I have been lucky but tne people around me get very good help as well. Now, just the other day a Russian lady complained to me that after breaking her hand she wasn’t sent more than once for xray. I didn’t tell her what I thought since her hand was obviously in cast and already diagnosed but… yeah, the whining how in Russia she would have been to three xrays by now was a bit too much to bear.
This just makes him hotter..
isnt that what its all about?
I agree, I’m a British ex pat in Sweden and have to say I’ve found the medical systems exemplary here. I’ve never waited more than a couple of hours for an appointment at my local vårdcentral and when I went to the emergency room at Södersjukhuset (a hospital) with a torn knee ligament I was in and out in four hours and referred for an MRI and several months of physio, all of which together cost less than around $200. Not to say that others don’t have bad experiences, but I definitely have no complaints…
And that’s before we get into free Swedish lessons for immigrants, free further education up to PHD level and heavily subsidised childcare. It’s not perfect of course, but they get a lot right here.
God, he’s a feminist too?? Sign me the f*ck up, please!!
Feminism looks so good on him. I’m already signed up, but sign me up again!!!
Awww, look who’s back! I missed him. I think it’s a spectacular idea for him to procreate. If he wants to hold a baby in public, please do.
These celebs who are all ‘it’s not fair that women have to be so hot’ … yet they date whippet thin supermodels and actresses. Alexa Chung, Kate Bosworth … who else has he dated? He’s right, of course, but it’s all a bit meaningless when he only dates ‘hot’ girls exclusively
Also, this movie is supposed to be really good. I love Kristen Wiig
That is…….an incredibly stupid way of looking at things? Hot people generally date other hot people. A man doesn’t have to date ugly chubby girls to prove his feminist cred.
Yup. All he has to do is state a few talking points and he gets the feminist of the year award.
He is a Hollywodd feminist. those are handsome men paying lipservice to get the female audience to buy movie tickets.
how many of them are actually doing something to change things? how often do they use their power for women in the industry? George Clooney also was called a feminist, how many women have meaningful roles in his movies? how many people of color? yeah, exactly.
@G, “Hot” is subjective. I don’t personally find Kate Bosworth or Alexa Chung to be “hot.” They’re attractive, and that is besides the point. I don’t think we get to pick apart the man’s comments just because of who or what he is attracted to. To imply that he should only date women who are unattractive for his comments to hold any weight is really ridiculous.
That’s ridiculous. I do like beautiful people. Men and women. I want to look at my husband and admire his handsomeness every day. It gives me a chance to praise beauty because I like beauty. So what? Do I have to divorce him and start dating less than beautiful men to prove a point? Please. Some of us are aesthetes.
I think comments like the ones Alex makes in this interview on America and how other countries differ, are important. He didn’t say anything even remotely disrespectful and he stated facts. America as a country needs to get over the slump and begin looking outward to see what bits and pieces of other countries we can learn from, because we aren’t the best and the brightest, and there is nothing wrong with following good examples being made by other countries around the world.
After the latest public shooting (Louisiana), Rebel Wilson went on Twitter and made remarks about how gun control helped prevent public shootings in Australia and how she hopes America will consider doing something similar to prevent this issue from happening again now that it is literally happening at least once a month. I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. We have a lot of stuff going on in America that has U.S. citizens frustrated with the direction our country is headed in and even more so because no politicians seem to want to act on anything at all or try something new in an effort to fix problems that need to be fixed. Historically, celebrities and politicians have always enjoyed rubbing elbows, so who knows? Maybe comments like Alex’s and Rebel’s will lead to some initiative to change a few things. At least it gets conversations started.
I’ve never read an interview with Alex before, but I look forward to more now.
Medical costs not coverage are the issue in the US. And national health care won’t change the medical industrial complex costs here. Also , love when ppl compare a small rather homogenous and old country. The US has close to 400 million diverse people and regions. It’s the same comparison as canada. Also silly to make- Canada has 30 million ppl.
The allowance of lobbies is what has ruined healthcare in the US IMO. I know there is no way to compare Canada to US populationwise, but every other modern industrialized country has universal healthcare (except the US).
I don’t really understand your comment. Yes, Canada has less people so health care would cost less…but that also means it has a much, much smaller tax base. It also means that things like the postal service are very inconvenient and costly to run because you have so many small populations spread out over vast areas that you cannot run many services without making an incredible loss. The US has much, much more money to play with.
And Canada has a lot, a lot of people who don’t pay any taxes. But receive welfare. And child/family benefits. Those people by statistics have many children thus use the healthcare system in bigger numbers.
as a swede the whole paying for your healthcare thing is just unbelievable for me.
anyone in the states who can tell me how they feel about it?
i’m not trying to insult anyones country or anything just curious
i live in the US ive never paid much for health care, at my current job i dont pay at all. i dont work or the gov and im not in a union
i dont have co pays for most things
most people i know have very cheap health care through their jobs
im not saying there arent people who have very different experiences, but people seem to think all americans have no access to affordable health care and that is not the case
Not sure where Lisa works but most people pay a good chunk of their salaries to supplement what their employers play for privatization insurance and on top of that you have copays and deductibles ($30 for doctor office visit or $100 for er visit if you don’t get admitted). Worked 11 yrs in us and now back in Canada and my personal experience …. I like where I am for healthcare.
im sure many people do, but like i said, most people i know dont and growing up my parents never did. so id be curious to know how many are “most.”
i had surgery this year and it was about $500, that was the first time ive ever paid for anything
my parents are retired and still not paying anything. they are divorced and not on the same ins plans.
Swoon I love me some viking