Scarlett Johansson gave an interview to CNN, her first since her semi-nude self portraits leaked almost two weeks ago. Unlike previously leaked nude photos from celebrities seeking publicity, Scarlett’s seemed to be genuinely hacked and released without her permission. She got the FBI involved early on.
In her brief statement to CNN, (video above) Scarlett was very pragmatic and well spoken. She seemed kind of badass about it actually, in that she just discussed the issue of her privacy in general and didn’t get into the specifics of her photos getting out. She discussed how it affected her and was firm about it, but she didn’t seem outraged or anything. It was impressive because she never made a reference to the pictures or the scandal, and didn’t remind us that she was stupid enough to take those photos of herself in the first place.
Why is it important to protect your privacy particularly when it comes to illegal acts to try and breach it?
I think the question is sort of redundant. Who doesn’t want to protect their own privacy?Just because you’re in the spotlight or just because you’re an actor or make films doesn’t mean that you’re not entitled to your own personal privacy.
No matter what the context, when that is sieged in some way it feels unjust, it feels wrong. I’ve gotten that response from many people that I’ve met now. They say ‘how do you deal with the invasion of privacy?’
I don’t know. To me it’s an adjustment. There are certainly instances I think where you give a lot of yourself, finally you just kind of put your foot down and say ‘wait, I’m taking it back.’
[From CNN, video above]
Scarlett was in Nairobi, Kenya presumably talking about the extreme humanitarian crisis in the region. (Although I can’t find another video from the interview other than this one.) She is an Oxfam ambassador and just visited a refugee camp in Africa. She issued a moving statement about her visit and the need for International aid, saying in part that “Over half the Somalis that have died are children; an entire generation lost. This is no longer an issue that can only garner some attention, some of the time. Extreme action must be taken by the global community now.” (You can donate to Oxfam here.)
Scarlett also hit Milan fashion week for the Dolce & Gabbana show, wearing this peach dress with lace overlay paired with gold Dorothy sequin heels. (Scarlett represents D&G) I don’t like this dress, especially those ugly shoes, but at least she’s not wearing this to a major awards show like the weird purple and red lace D&G number she wore to the Oscars. I love her hair here though. The lipstick is a little too garish and I’m not a fan of the white eyeshadow, but her hair is so beautiful that it’s easy to overlook. They were going for old Hollywood with her styling and didn’t quite get it right.
Getting back to Scarlett’s nude photo mini-scandal, have you seen this website ScarlettJohanssoning.com where people mimic her pose holding up a towel while taking a photo of their bare asses in the mirror? It’s NSFW obviously, and it’s fascinating. Some of the photos are kind of gross though.
I totally agree with her. I never understood this whole “public person thing” where your not entitled to any privacy. Eff that.
Get over yourself Scarlett. Lesson learned….dont take nude photos on your cell phone.
If you want privacy don’t take pictures of your privates.
I agree with her as well. While celebrities have to know and understand that if they go to places frequented by photographers they will be “out there”, their cell phones, homes, email accounts, and other personal info and sources should be off limits. No question
Tired of people who do attention seeking things whining when they get the wrong kind of attention.
It’s obvious she gave the pictures away for someone else to publish them. Then she contacts FBI and makes everything look like an accident. Yeah, right! Now she’s getting all the attention she was looking for and people are buying this privacy bulls**t.
I’m sick of this game.
Don’t think anyone deserves to get their phone hacked / privacy invaded. including celebrities.
I just think many of us are so jaded about this because:
a. some celebrities apparently fake the hacking/invasion for publicity (looking at you Lively)
b. some celebrities have made their name off of privacy leaks, like sex tapes (looking at you Kardashian).
So, we think that all celebrities garner something positive from it. But some celebrities don’t want their private stuff out there and should have the right to say so.
Everyone is entitled to privacy. It does sound like she was legitimately hacked.
However…if you don’t want to ever risk photos/video/whatever of you getting out there, just don’t do it. Especially if you’re famous! She could have just as easily dropped her phone in the street.
These celebs are trying to have their cake and eat it too. They try to pretend they are only in the business because they love to act, but then they use their publicity, to ask you to buy this perfume, buy these jewels, buy these products from this designer label. They want the publicity, and the perks that come with it, but then when its not in their favour they want their privacy. Become a stage actor, if you love your craft and hate publicity.
Scarlett: if you WERE an ACTOR, I might agree.
But standing around with your tits on display and the wooden reading of lines does not make you an actor.
Since she can’t act, she doesn’t qualify.
I don’t think anyone deserves to be hacked. Obviously, that is an illegal activity and no one deserves to have that happen.
However, there is a BIG difference between an actor and a celebrity. You can be one or the other, or both. But many “actors” today love the celebrity factor and sorry, but that brings in a whole different set of rules.
The press has a right to do whatever is legal. Hacking phones is illegal, it’s reprehensible to blame the victim for a criminal act.
Scarlett is a total babe, But give me a break. Hundreds of millions of dollars and worldwide fame in exchange for a loss of some privacy. I wish I had this horrible burden
If Scarlett Johansson wants to practise her “craft” in peace may I suggest the theatre or independent cinema – but how many of these whiny little bitches crying “privacy” ever retire gracefully from the spotlight?
Cameron Diaz, Kristen Stewart, Sienna Miller; they’re all still f**king here – signing up for high-profile films, posing for the photogs at events, appearing in adverts so they’re constantly in the public eye. At least Jennifer Lopez unashamedly wants to be famous and isn’t shy about it!
But being in ad campaigns and being paparazzied on the street is quite different than being hacked and having private photos made public.
Obviously you can’t expect total privacy when you have a career in the public eye, but this crossed the line.
Legally, as a public figure, you do give up your rights to privacy. Celebrities enjoy a great deal of privilege, whether it be through money or influence, and they need to accept that they strived to become famous, and they can’t just turn that off when it’s inconvenient for them.
Fame comes with a price, Scarlett. Deal with it.
If these celebrities want privacy then they should stop making movies and go live in obscurity. Then, no one will care about them and their naked photos, but they won’t do it because they love the fame and attention. Everything has a price.
While I agree with her that she is entitled to her privacy, I have no sympathy for her if she doesn’t seek it. There are loads of ways that actors can still make movies and do what they love but also retain their life. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Albeit I agree that her phone should not be hacked, she’s behaves so self-entitled and self-aggrandizing that it makes it hard for me to have any sympathy for her.
Her nude photos weren’t that bad.. I mean I’m sure I sent something like that to my long distance boyfriend in my early 20s. Lucky for me I’m not famous and no one wants to see them
While admiring her humanitarian efforts (which are kind of on sale as much as the champagne she hocks), I think it’s time to put down the camera and pick up the dictionary: she’s starting to sound like Drew Barrymore.
I have a game knee too, so I’ll understand about the pigeon posing, but that is the same dress. It’s a different colour and length but the intentions are still the same. If anything stands out to me it’s how much it clashes with every other colour on her. Whatever, killer figure, nice hair colour, Godspeed.
Finally, one phrase that carried me through on my travels is ‘…because really bad will happen.’ I implore all of your to remember this when wondering why you shouldn’t do most things because it works. Doesn’t matter that this was illegal, the damage is done. The more prudent thing to do would be to ask, ‘Why shouldn’t I mail nude photos of myself?’ Answer: because something really bad will happen.
:: These celebs are trying to have their cake and eat it too. They try to pretend they are only in the business because they love to act, but then they use their publicity, to ask you to buy this perfume, buy these jewels, buy these products from this designer label. ::
When I read comments like this, all I see is jealousy. Being rich and famous doesn’t absolve you of being a normal person and having a ton of problems. These people are subjected to ridiculous things simply because people are being conditioned by the media to accept that celebrities shouldn’t have privacy. Sorry, but that’s wrong. Just because ideology is embedded in your mind with the intent of media profit, this doesn’t mean these ideas are correct or that we should act like we have no conscience or that these people deserve whatever is coming to them because they have some measure of something others don’t. In fact, we are the only English speaking developed country that doesn’t have some level of protection in place for public figures – be they politicians, royalty, or celebrity. You don’t know these actors (even though you think you do), you have no idea what their motivations are. And if they have the money to buy jewelry because of their profession, so be it. You don’t have to be famous or rich to wear jewelry. Not to mention, their appearance is imperative to their career, so they have to look a certain way (many of them are starving or drugging themselves to live up to your standards). So, let’s jump off the hate wagon and start behaving like civilized people who respect others space and acknowledge their humanity which they are every bit entitled as everyone else. No?
You can’t continuously do stupid things and expect people to think you are intelligent… and using big words isn’t fooling anyone.
She’s right. Just because you’re in the entertainment industry doesn’t mean people have the right to invade your privacy or for that matter your space even when you’re in public. Celebrities don’t owe the public anything.
Famous and non-famous SHOULD NOT take naked photos on themselves on their phone – they can get hacked into, lost or stolen. Common sense is needed people!