These are photos of Evangeline Lilly at the Tuesday premiere of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Her dress is Alberta Ferretti, and it looks ice capadey fug with a side of frump. Her hair is all flapper-esque and doesn’t go with the dress, but the dress wouldn’t be redeemed by different hair. Evangeline accessorized with a Swarovski ring and (more importantly) Lee Pace. Any time we talk about Lee is a good day. He’s wearing Suitsupply.
Evangeline spoke with HuffPo to promote this film, and the ever-popular practice of journalists asking actresses about feminism happened. Evangeline isn’t a fan of the F-word. But from what I’m reading here, she doesn’t even know what the word means:
On her tough lady roles: “I don’t like the idea of playing a one-dimensional character who is just fearless, strong and killer and has instincts and just thrives in dangerous circumstances — that’s really boring to me and I don’t think it represents what most women feel inside. I’m very proud of being a woman, and as a woman, I don’t even like the word feminism because when I hear that word, I associate it with women trying to pretend to be men, and I’m not interested in trying to pretend to be a man. I don’t want to embrace manhood, I want to embrace my womanhood.”
Roles come to her easily: “I have been a bit of a reluctant actress since the get-go, since the beginning of Lost. I’ve been focused during the last five years on my writing career and I’ve just been fortunate and lucky enough to have some pretty great filmmakers come to me and say, ‘We’d like you to play this role or that role.'”
Are there more roles for women these days? “To be honest with you, and I mean this in all humility, I don’t know because I actually don’t seek out roles and I haven’t for a very long time … I’ve just been fortunate and lucky enough to have some pretty great filmmakers come to me and say, ‘We’d like you to play this role or that role.’ And that’s not to say there haven’t been roles I’ve said no to. There have definitely been roles that I read and I think, “Well, that just isn’t exciting, I don’t want to do that.” But it does mean that I am most certainly not an authority on the topic because I don’t go out and read every script out there for a woman of my age, I don’t meet with all the filmmakers, I’m not pounding the pavement or pursuing it in a way that would give me the authority to talk about what’s out there or what’s available. Although I do love the question.”
[From HuffPo]
Evangeline will appear in next year’s Ant-Man. I still can’t believe Marvel is making that film because I don’t know anyone who wants to see it. Maybe this will be Marvel’s first true flop? The fanboys are all excited, but I don’t see anyone gushing over Paul Rudd. He’s adorable, but I don’t think he’ll pull in droves of female fans.
As for Evangeline’s thoughts on her idea of feminism, she’s certainly sticking her head in the sand. She talks big about how she doesn’t feel discrimination because she never auditions for roles. The roles come to her. So yeah, she’s insulated and clueless.
Photos courtesy of WENN
Paul Rudd would definitely motivate me to see Ant Man. Not sure I would care to see the film if it wasn’t him in the lead.
Me too. I think he’s adorable.
I love him!
I agree, I love Paul Rudd, I’ll see any movie he is in.
Bad dress and even worse comments. Why is it that hard in this day and age to know what feminism actually means.
It’s almost like we need to rename feminism, so people can understand that it’s about equality.
It is such an easy concept to understand; come on people!
Ugh, totally. I wish we could just name it Gender Equality. People would have to be complete idiots to say something like “I don’t believe in gender equality”. (And if they actually said that, we’d know exactly where they stand.)
It doesn’t matter what you call it, people will still have a problem with it, because equality means sharing the power.
…..and then the misogynists who attack feminism by name and concept will attack that, too. It’s not the name. They don’t like women being able to live their lives without being controlled by men.
If you look at the words of misogynists they’ll say to you. “They want to retain the advantages of being women-while trying to grab those of men.”
So what advantages would those be?
1. To be treated equally at work.
2. To be treated equally in the eyes of the law.
3. To be treated equally when it comes to credit/loans.
4. To be treated equally regarding body autonomy.
5. To be treated equally by society at large.
In what way does any of this take away from a man? It isn’t a zero sum game. No man in the history of the world has ever given up a single right because women have them. Not one. Except in their own minds because they see women as a status thing-not a person.
I agree. A lot of people seem to have confused acting like a man with feminism and then say they are against feminism, but I don’t think they really understand what they are talking about. It wasn’t so long ago that women were considered property as opposed to an actual person. They were not allowed to vote or attend medical schools or other institutions of higher learning because those were reserved for men (women were thought not to be as smart). Women were owned by their husbands who had the ultimate say in their lives. Today things are still not equal for women. They still make less money for the same work and often pay far more for the same products. But I think women like this one, are really insulting to the women who had to fight and endure horrible humilation and difficulty so that the women of today could have choices. They may not choose to exercise those choices…maybe they don’t vote or want to attend medical school, but those choices are available to them. Even medical care was all geared towards men until quite recently and a lot of womens health issues were written off to “nervous issues” or were treated as if they were men. I’m sure she enjoys what feminism has brought when she goes to see her doctor. These women need to do some research in history and really see what feminism fought for and why.
Scal for the win!
So-called feminism has just bestowed more work upon women.
We are expected to be perfect mothers, erotic lovers, maintain a size 2-4 figure, keep a welcoming, spotless home and be a gourmet cook.
I live in Ontario, Canada. It’s a statistical fact that there are more women in the work force than men in this province.
I live in an affluent area, and all the women are stressed out, and/ or depressed. Some of their husbands have lost their lucrative jobs and stay home-but provide no child care, housekeeping, laundry, or cooking skills.
These men think women’s work is beneath them. Instead,they troll the local gym, golf, have affairs, go to casinos, or the local motel. Meanwhile, their wives are in crisis mode and sleep deprived.
Feminism=endless work for women. Hedonistic freedom for men.
Nope, Lauren. You’re as confused as Evangeline. All feminism means is that women get equal rights, just as men do. It means women can be whatever they want to be without people judging them based on their gender. Sounds like the women around you are having a rough time, but just because a few people you know have lazy husbands does not mean that feminism is wrong. Would you prefer not being allowed to vote?
Also, as far as Evangeline, most of the commentators here have covered the cluelessness of her statements about feminism, but “the roles just come to her”? Seriously? If it weren’t for Peter Jackson casting her, I’m having a hard time remembering anything she’s been in since Lost.
If you are in a marriage where you are doing all the work inside and outside of the home and letting your husband cheat on you then the problem isn’t feminism but your lack of self esteem.
If you paid attention to feminism then you would value yourself as a person and not think you need to stay with a man who does not respect you. Feminism has given women options, some of which include being able to obtain employment that pays well and not be forced to remain with an asshole husband because educational and employment opportunities were denied to you because of your gender.
The “good old days” of the 50s never existed in particular for women who were not in the upper classes.
And if you really hate feminism so much then move to a country where women can’t leave the house without a male present. I bet you will change your mind pretty damn quick about how horrible feminism has been to you.
Honestly, why are people so DUMB about what feminist means!?
Maybe because some people judge the movement by their actions and not what the dictionary says they are?
@Nathaniel, there hasn’t been a “movement” since the mid-70s.
Very brave, Nathaniel, to demean women rather than their ideas.
I am so over these stupid ignorant women who think feminism is either man hating or prancing around in thongs.
Agreed – what an idiotic, reductive definition of feminism. No nod to women who’ve made her life better by their efforts.
Major fail….as you all have so eloquently said feminism has nothing to do with ‘trying to be a man’ Jesus…
A failure of education and feminism, I would say, if she associates feminism with “acting like a man” she is quite ill-informed. Does she have a mother, a grandmother or two? I suspect so and shame on them for failing their girl. If we expect women to be educated and enlightened champions of the cause of right we would do well to ensure they learn the important lessons of feminism before they leave the house and give interviews.
i think its safe to say she’s not the brightest bulb in the box
Never knew she was a moron.
I wish Hollywood would quit pretending she’s an actress.
Didn’t she promise to disappear after LOST? Why is she still milling around, deigning to accept handout roles in a profession she dislikes and clearly isn’t any good at? Just to dazzle us with her uninformed opinions on women’s rights?
GO READ A BOOK, EVANGELINE!
She’s aging pretty badly so there’s a good chance her defeinitely NOT feminist business will tell her to take a hike soon.
+1
Yep. Well, the sign’s been put out, so now we know to move our attention elsewhere. Eep.
I love watching her on film, but when I read her interviews, I am so disappointed that I get annoyed at myself for enjoying her acting. She really needs to stfu and never give any interviews, nor appear at events. Just act or hide.
Or act AND hide! 😉 Seriously, as if she doesn’t have to audition for a role. Thanks to Sony we know that even Natalie Portman’s publicist is begging for roles.
@Liv you’re right I meant act AND hide! *facepalms*
Well, we know now. Excuse me, while I go back to pretending to be a man. Ugh.
•Oh Dahling•
Room for me? And does this mean we have to drink our whiskey neat and smoke cigars? (Please say no. Please say no)
Until you answer, shall we partake in our morning mimosa? Shopping today? Or perhaps a trip to the spa. I vote spa Dahling. And planning our next vacay….
IKR? Pretending to be a man? What does that have to do with anything? I am so TIRED of stupid being famous and asked to speak and think.
Does this mean that some pretty lady is going to come to my house and cook and clean for me? While wearing a hot outfit? And all I have to do is watch tv?
Cause if that’s “being a man” sign me up!
I need a wiffie too.
*readjusts panty-gherkin*
My husband is going to be so disappointed, he was planning on being the man, now he has to pretend to be a woman because of his feminist wife. Life is complicated.
+2
Right??? I’m actually quite surprised but then again, I don’t remember any interviews with her so maybe I’m just waking up now? Good gawd, woman. You need to a) be more in touch with what’s happening in the industry you work in, b) educate yourself on … words, apparently and c) take a seat.
I can’t with these women anymore. If at least ONE of them came out and said “Listen, I don’t believe in gender equality, I don’t care if we get the same respect men do, and I certainly don’t think we need to be paid the same. I’m not a feminist.” I could maybe (maybe !) respect that as someone’s opinion. An asinine one but okay. But this uninformed, uneducated bs is not cute in a woman her age. Or anyone above the age of 17.
She doesn’t do a ton of interviews, but they tend to be like this. She’s very up her own @#s
She’s a moron because she has different opinions from you.lol You don’t happen to be aree feminist do you?
Guys, Nathaniel is really showing us this morning! Maybe next he’ll bust out a “yo momma”
Actually, it’s about ethics in gaming journalism.
Nope, she’s a moron because she couldn’t be bothered to do a simple google search as to what an eight letter word means.
OH, Nathaniel, you are very silly. Run along and play.
who let this d-bag in?
Can you write that in English, please?
Oh I get it @Nathaniel…you’re one of those #GamerGate d-bags on Twitter that bash on all things feminist & troll comment boards like this one and Jezebel because no one pays any attention to you…
Carry on with your tantrum then child.
Ditto.
I had a strong suspicion, but I tend to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. I hope she is just ignorant and naïve about feminism the way I was when I was a teenager. Hopefully, the reaction to this interview will encourage her to open her eyes.
She is THE WORST. And she always has been. She is one of those “it’s really hard being pretty” types. If she doesn’t want roles or attention, can we please stop giving them to her?
I hope they keep asking this question. It’s helpful to see which actresses are actually intelligent (Emma Watson) and which ones are airheads (Shailene Woodley, Evangeline).
That hair is dreadful. Just like her attitude.
That’s not what feminism is about, silly girl. Now go find a better dress and hair.
Oh, for crying out loud. Maybe we don’t want her. Can we revoke her woman card?
or get her a library card too.
i dunno, i mean i can’t believe that Middle Earth has no internet connection that she can’t google the definition?
Honestly? I’ve decided Feminism Denial is the new product placement. I honestly can’t think of any other explanation for all this rank stupidity.
•Sixer•
Sad but true. And also, not new. Feminism Denial started in the 60’s & 70’s.
Unfortunately the American Republican party has long equated feminism = manliness. It’s partly how they were able to defeat the ERA back in the day. You know, by telling us women to embrace our ‘womanhood’ (as if we misplaced it somewhere)….
(LadySlippers is heard offstage rummaging through papers)
“I just know I left my womanhood here last night…Drats where did it go???? It can’t just run of now can it? Perhaps I should look elsewhere….”
And it’s *so* stupid to ignore it. With today’s media proliferation, you have to try REALLY hard to think that it’s irrelevant to mainstream culture and/or life.
•Fanty•
I almost think that we’ve now created several cultures that live side-by-side by rarely peacefully interact. For example, people that watch FoxNews view the world much differently than NPR peopke and with how divisive the US has become — we rarely open our eyes to see another’s perspective.
Yeah, I have to agree, this is an old tactic from the right, right along with calling you a lesbian if you turn down a date. Straight out of the country club playbook. It’s just sad to see so many young women drink the kool-aid.
Ha! And she was so fierce in that hobbit movie. Silly gal, don’t you know feminism simply means supporting rights and equality for women?
Because how the dictionary defines a movement is how the movement is right?
@Nathaniel, again, there has been no “movement” since the mid-1970s. Do come into this century and leave the bottom of your little troll bridge behind.
Nathaniel, I believe that many of us would be interested in *your* definition of feminism. For many of us, it is an urge for a complete and meaningful life, rather than one than is bound by tradition. This means that we share power with the ruling class, and there are a variety of methods to reach this goal. However, this is our direction…
+1000
Right?
“I don’t even like the word feminism because when I hear that word, I associate it with women trying to pretend to be men, and I’m not interested in trying to pretend to be a man”
Well as a feminist, I’m not interested in being associated with a woman who pretends to be intelligent so I guess it works out well for both of us.
This makes me stabby Kitten. I love your answer. It’s never too late to LEARN what the word means—she could’ve asked the interviewer how he/she defines it.
And I had this exact same conversation with my dad on a looong car ride–who used to think like that. But guess what? He agreed with me (because that was the definition of feminism that he grew up with–women wanting to be men–probably because of my grandpa who is of the opinion that his wife should be at his beck and call), and about a lot of other women’s issues (like why Planned Parenthood was started,etc), simply because he didn’t know.
And if my dad, who is SO anal retentive and Type A (he’s the type to where an evangelical life appealed to him because he likes to know the rules, and simply follow them, no questions asked) can change his mind and admit he’s wrong, then so can Evangeline Lilly AND ANY OTHER MAN/WOMAN.
I think there is a TON of ignorance–especially with the uber religous/evangelical community (which, thank God my dad’s moving away from that). There is no interest in fixing the issues, just braying on and on about what ‘God’ says. So no woman should ever have an abortion or use birth control–but when she has children that she can’t afford, she’s on her own.
These feminism answers are pissing me off.
I think that sometimes people can change their mind and sometimes it is simply a lack of knowledge (see Taylor Swift) but many live in willful ignorance. Others are simply threatened by the idea of gender equality.
Bravo for educating your Dad though. He’s lucky to have such a thoughtful, articulate and intelligent young lady for a daughter.
I’m going to play devil’s advocate and say that maybe, to her, it’s a pejorative. It really seems to have negative connotations for some people. I’m not saying that’s correct, or that they shouldn’t educate themselves.
(Really I just think she’s not the brightest bulb, but just throwing something different out there to chew on)
She refuses feminism! BURN THE HERETIC!
OUR SCARY VAGINAS ARE HERE TO TAKE ALL YOUR RIGHTS AS A MAN AWAY!! BEWARE!!!!
To be fair, if she had joined us, we obviously would have made her take off that dreadful frock, strap her boobs down, and given her a buzzcut, some overalls and a pop quiz on The Female Eunuch.
•Fanty•
No no, it’s The Vagina Monologues! And Doc Martin’s, you gotta have those.
Lol, reminds me of that scene on OITNB when Pennsatucky asks Boo about the Gay Agenda to take over the world……we still need slaves.
It feels like one of those tree falls in a forest conundrums, can you refuse feminism if you clearly have no idea what feminism is? Hmm, something to consider but honestly, a good stake burning can really bring the community together, tough call.
Well, she is not entirely wrong; Mr. Rochester is a feminist and he pretends to be man all the time.
Except, if you read her quote about putting her character in the Hobbit…it IS Feminism:
“To his defence, Tolkien was writing in 1937. The world is a different place today. I kept repeatedly telling people that in this day and age, to put nine hours of cinema entertainment in theatres for young girls to go and watch, and not have one female character – it’s subliminally telling them that ‘You don’t matter, you’re not important and you’re not pivotal to the story’. I think that they were very brave and very right in saying ‘We won’t do that to the young female audience that will come and watch our films’. And even for women my own age, I think it’s time that we stop making stories that are only about men. I love that they make Tauriel a hero.”
So… there again is the huge gap between the word ‘Feminism’ and people’s understanding of what it actually is. Weird.
Except she doesn’t matter, she’s not important or pivotal to the story and I would have been content if she and Liv Tyler had been left out of TLOTR. I love Tolkein, I read the books many times, I don’t need Peter Jackson or Hollywood tampering with content in a misguided attempt to woo my interest. First off, it has nothing to do with championing women and second off, it’s all done as a male fantasy. Screw that noise.
Her arms don’t seem to have to problem with it.
Came here to snark similarly.
That dress- ugh. Why sheer, skin toned with APPLIQUES (embroidery?)?
Hate. The. Greased. Hair.
Hahahahahaha
It’s depressing how often I see feminists insulting women whose physical appearance deviates from feminine norms in some way.
And it’s genuinely baffling how many feminists seem to believe that a woman who doesn’t perform femininity in some way = looking like a man/acting like a man. It’s almost as if they think “female” and “feminine” are interchangeable terms.
It’s especially baffling with comments like this, which are essentially saying that looking too physically strong is unwomanly – the sort of comment you’d expect from your typical sexist neckbeard.
that hair is offensive to all genders.
I agree. Honestly her arms look great and I’d love to have them. Her outfit is horrible but I’d much rather challenge her ideas in this instance.
You can’t pigeon hole feminists and women are not blind to appearance. Maybe snarky comments don’t fit your view of feminism but I suggest you get to know a few women and accept that we don’t all have to fit your idea of what is “proper” behavior, here on-line or anywhere. I may not agree with the nasty posts but I am sick to death of being told to be nice because I’m a woman.
I’m usually a lot softer on young , late teens, early 20s, girls asked this question. But Evangeline is a grown ass woman. She’s 35!!! She should know the meaning of the word. Even the simple watered down version the Beyonce’s/Emma Watson’s have been spewing this last year.
Sigh.
Feminism is not about trying to be a man or hating men. It is about equality. In pay, in careers, in bodily autonomy.equality full stop.
I just can’t with these actresses anymore. I’m a feminist and I love being a woman. A girlie woman that baked even. I just deserve to get paid at a better rate as my male coworker that I have the same schooling and more experience than. I deserve and all women deserve to make decisions about their own bodies (even it that is a horrible dress-you picked it girl-you rock it)
Similar. I played rugby in college, wore high heels to women’s studies class. For a while, worked as scientific researcher, now I work as a mariner. I am married to a man. I revel in make-up and clothes, and I don’t understand why women have become complicit in their own subjugation to the patriarchy. It’s not a badge of pride to call yourself a (regressive) anti-feminist.
+1
“I’m a feminist and I love being a woman. A girlie woman that baked even. ”
It’s so frustrating to me that we even have to clarify this though, you know? I just don’t understand how a woman my age wouldn’t know the definition of feminism.
Also, wtf does “women pretending to be men” even mean? Aside from having a penis, I don’t see what men can do in this day and age that women cannot (thanks to feminism). I’m more insulted by her insistence on assigning antiquated gender roles to both women AND men.
Women can love baking and play professional soccer, women can wear make-up and be corporate CEOs. Feminism is about the freedom to choose whatever career path we want, to have whatever hobbies we want, and to dress how we like. Does she not get that it wasn’t always an option?
She is just incredibly ignorant and I find it depressing.
PS-I also love baking and cooking. Hell, I even like making dinner for my man and I’m a *gasp* feminist! 😉
Maybe her understanding of Feminism stopped in the 80’s with the power dressing corporate ‘act like a man because that’s the only way you’ll succeed in business’ vibe. It sounds that way to me, and I’m always struck dumb by people in the creative arts who come out with stuff like that. But then again, this is Hollywood which whilst being liberal is often peculiar in its ideas.
Shut the eff up! You BAKE??? HOW can you call yourself a feminist? Manly people don’t bake. *hides lipgloss* I’m off to do some home improvement now. *picks up lipgloss that fell out of her bag* WHAT? That’s not makeup, that’s lip balm. 😉
… I can’t with these clichés anymore. It’s 2014. I’m with Kitten, it’s so frustrating that we have to add these explanations (I do it too so no judgment).
I’m currently a stay at home mom. I love baking. My husband is as big a freaking feminist as I am, because the notion gender determines worth is just stupid.
Rather like Evangeline Lilly if this interview is any guide.
She looks like such a man in this photo, Lilly does
More Lee Pace!!!
had half hoped he would hit the red carpet with a full Thranduil cape. still hoping.
Amen sister. MORE LEE PACE.
AMEN. He’s great.
Richlee for life.
Love me that pie-man, more Lee Pace, yes please!
Oh for f*cks sake!!!
Exactly.
Ditto.
Word!
Has she always be that stupid? I don’t remember exactly but I think she made some idiotic comments in the past?
Well, Kate was the worst character on LOST. I hated her. Very stupid and annoying. I suppose that was a reflection of reality.
She was on a press tour last year, talking about her role in The Hobbit, and how she refused to take a role that involved another love triangle and was assured that it wouldn’t. But in the editing process, they realized that there was something happening that had to be addressed or the audience would be let down.
Ummm… right. You mean that extremely forced love triangle that makes a bad movie worse? Yeah, audiences would have been outraged without that.
I can never quite fathom why feminism is so hard to be understood after so many great women have laid the grounds for us years ago. For those celebs who don’t know, feminism simply teaches us that women are not inferior to any man or other women, thus should be allowed to vote, drive, choose what to do with their lives, careers, bodies, ect. It allows freedom to the woman who wants to wear dark suits in the boardroom or to the one who prefers to leans out and stay home when it benefits their families and their particular goals. It gives the right to women and girls in countries where they are not allowed to get an education or be without the companionship of a man to protest against injustice and ask for better. It teaches girls that there isn’t just one path for them to walk on, but that they can stand up, and take charge of their own destiny.
Melissa, well and thoughtfully said. Kudos.
Kudos.
Thank you Wolfpup and Kelly!!!!! xoxo
I’m just here for Lee Pace. I just can’t with Evangeline.
Same here. Had a hunch he might show up in this post.
MORE LEE!!!
Is it’s not often I’m comfortable calling someone I don’t know an idiot, but she’s an idiot! Or maybe just illiterate? Ever read a book Evangeline? I know, words are hard! Poor widdle girl.
I don’t even like the word democracy because when I hear that word, I associate it with fire trucks and I’m not interested in trying to drive a fire truck.
What is that hair though? Seriously.
She got that from one of Sony’s hacked mock-up Powerpoints, didn’t she? There were the ones as to what snacks could be advertised with what film. This was the one they give to the pretty girl men lust after on how to deny feminism. Meh.
The colour blue is one of the major themes of “The Smurfs”. Feminists are women trying to pretend to be men. After Earth is an ecosystem of content and brand initiatives.
Hmm. Fits right in, doesn’t it. I think you’re onto something.
/Stop the ride, I want to get off now please.
You checked them out, too! Those Powerpoints have honestly put me off studio films for life. We knew it was all like that already, I know. But to see it laid out, all naked and illiterate and lowest-common-denominator? I felt dirty. Bit extreme of me, perhaps, but I really did.
I’ve never heard of these… Oh My God… There goes my afternoon.
Fav. so far: “Mens Issues/Potty Humour”
Oh my god…
Targets for After Earth:
Jaden Smith fans
M Night fans
(yeah, that’s your problem right there)
Amazing..
Hollywood is a business and a pool of sharks, any and every product they produce should be viewed with this in mind.
Word.
“We need to reclaim the word ‘feminism’. We need the word ‘feminism’ back real bad. When statistics come in saying that only 29% of American women would describe themselves as feminist – and only 42% of British women – I used to think, What do you think feminism IS, ladies? What part of ‘liberation for women’ is not for you? Is it freedom to vote? The right not to be owned by the man you marry? The campaign for equal pay? ‘Vogue’ by Madonna? Jeans? Did all that good shit GET ON YOUR NERVES? Or were you just DRUNK AT THE TIME OF THE SURVEY?”
― Caitlin Moran, How to Be a Woman
She is known for having an over inflated sense of self and making idiotic statements. She talked a big game about not wanting to be an actress after Lost and leaving. Yet, here she is.
YES! That attitude of hers goes back to the first season of Lost.
YES. The first press I remember from her during LOST was all about how she didn’t really want to be an actress and would probably never act again after the show ended.
I think she’s just a really negative person and should be disregarded entirely.
Why are actresses such uneducated airheads? I swear to God, what an idiotic thing to say. You’re not young anymore, to be this ignorant and unaware, Evangeline. In this privileged fool’s mind women have everything, women are happy, women don’t struggle, women don’t need anything. They just want to be like men. Yes, Evangeline, when I stand up for myself and my rights, I secretly wish I had a penis.
What a freaking moron!
Thank you Annie! Yes, yes and yes again!
Because they’re pretty and the center of attention and people blow smoke up their ass all the time and no one expects them to do their homework or graduate because they’re just so pretty, life will work out for them. You know, the very people who need to understand the meaning of the word “feminism.”
Oh goodness, what a daft person. Educate yourself.
I think I’m one of the few people who actually liked her character on Lost, and I think she’s a naturally gorgeous woman (though she looks a mess here) but anytime she’s given an interview I find myself cringing a little.
I don’t understand how people can take a word which means one thing, twisted into something distortrd, and then smugly declare their position on it.
Funnily enough in her own life, I think she’s the bigger breadwinner, and chose to have a child with her partner and not get legally married. A few decades ago she may have been ostracized for that. Why isn’t she now? FEMINISM.
•Lucy2•
The problem is that others, honestly opposed to feminism, have pushed back trying to ‘relabel/rebrand’ the word. And obviously they have succeeded beyond their wildest dreams according to the stats from the Moran quote •Kelly• posted.
I give up.
*bangs head against brick wall*
She is obviously too busy fielding role offers to open up a dictionary or google the word. I hope she is happy making half the wage of her male co-stars, being called “honey” on set, patted on the ass and sent to bring the “boys” coffee. Get a life, Evangeline!
Title should read:
Evangeline Lily: Doesn’t know what feminist means.
She looks manly in the first picture! Feminism is nothing to do with “a woman trying to be a man” or “burning bra” at all. It is all about equal rights, in EVERYTHING!
No, she doesn’t look manly. She looks like a physically strong woman.
Thank you, D.
I totally agree with her, I don’t associate with being a feminist because for me it hasn’t help black women like it helps white women. And I do believe feminism means to act or behave like a man, that’s why I like womanism more because it’s about being a strong smart woman and love being a woman without competing or bringing down men.
Feminism at the heart of the word is about equality. It is not about competing with men or bringing them down.
I can’t tell if you’re joking. Are you?
•tmh•
I cannot apologize for the entire movement but I am sorry that *I* wasn’t aware, as a white woman, that sometimes (oftentimes) feminism shuts the door on women of colour. Since this site, my eyes have opened and I am now aware of this issue and will work on modifying my behaviour in order for feminism in to include *all* women — regardless of colour.
Feminism, though, is meant to empower ALL women and embrace the qualities that separate us from men. Feminism is also meant to give us equal rights and equal opportunities. Feminine is at the heart of feminism — it’s just been hijacked by both extremists AND by anti-feminists. Femininism is also about empowering men to embrace their humanity. For example men, like women, have a wide range of emotions and should be *allowed* to expression sadness or other ‘feminine’ feelings. It’s really about opening up the shut doors for both genders. And should be about opening doors for others that don’t fit neatly into EITHER gender. (Rainbowism! 😉)
However, we still have an uphill battle as anything feminine is considered derogatory or demeaning i.e. ‘don’t act like a girl’ or ‘stop being such a sissy’. Something as ‘simple’ as the desire to stay home and be the primary provider to your own children is a double-edged sword as it’s looked down upon because only valuable jobs get paid ‘real’ money (by product of the Protestant work ethic) while at the same time being called a hero (people rarely use heroine or other feminine words as they are seen as ‘lesser’ than masculine words. It’s also become commonplace to replace female abbreviations with male abbreviations ie the D&D of Cambridge when no one would ever write Mr&Mr Brown when referring to a husband/wife coupling but they call a duchess a duke and think nothing of it) because of the sacrifice and/or service you are providing the community.
Anyhow, I will work hard, based on your comments and other comments from women of colour, to make sure feminism is welcoming to all and embraces the spirit of inclusivity.
In my experience, womanism has been an incredible force, insuring the survival of the black family during some of the most oppressive times, in our American history. I don’t believe that it’s usefulness has ended. {Obviously not, considering the madness of the police}. Is it possible to be both a womanist and a feminist? I believe that the closest of ties insures our common objective – freedom of heart, mind, and spirit.
I think so, wolfpup (re: being both a womanist and a feminist).
I think our society is going through a huge monumental paradigm shift when it comes to gender and sexuality. It’s only just getting started, and it’s going to take a long time.
But, I always think, anything that isn’t Victorian/Puritan in it’s values is where we need to go. Western society is still entrenched in the Victorian idea that white man = the tops, white women = delicate pure creatures, black man = savage and black woman = savage and sexually deviant. It’s going to take us, as a society, a very long time to unravel a lot of the implicit beliefs and morals we have that no longer serve us. We may think we’ve moved on from then, but we haven’t. Got a loooooooooooong way to go!
Why is feminism is such a bad word? Just because, we are strong, determined demeanor that it is such a threat to everyone, including, lowlife d*ckhead that are supposed to men (not every man is a d*ckhead, I am sure they are a few men who loves a woman who stands up for themselves), but why is it such a bad word?
With that in mind, I would love to concure to this subject towards feminine issues of equality is something that appeals to me as a strong, self assured and independent woman. Why these women who hate the word feminist is such doormats and a piece pot to pee on. The word feminist means so much to me because I have went through hell in my twenties to become the person I am. I think we have women in this world who are more a cushion than a rock, and I don’t speak for everyone but I am a rock, not a soft pillow that men can sleep on when they feel like. I do think we do have enough female role models who can speak out loud and refuse to shut up about what they think about these men who just want someone to look good on their arms. I don’t beg for no man help, but I would love it when a man who can see that I need help.
So therefore, I will say this, I love men, I refuse to bash men, but I will stand strong, invincible and a proud, courageous woman. SO I AM A FEMINIST, and I love it.
Awesome, KiKi!
Feminism has done a great deal to advance the rights of all women regardless of ethnicity, the fact that you have the right to vote, the right to remain single, the right to own property, the right to drive a car and access to birth control, even the ability to buy and consume alcohol are all the results of feminism. You may believe feminism has only helped some women of privilege but you are mistaken.
How old is she and she doesn’t know the definition of feminism? Pick up a book or dictionary and learn the definition of the word before talking in an interview and embarrassing yourself. She sounds more ignorant than the young actresses that made clueless comments.
Yeesh. What a dimbulb.
Oh well. Thanks for the Lee Pace pretty, anyhow.
I’m sorry, What? I got distracted by Lee Pace.
Wow. I’m a feminist, and one of the reasons I love being a feminist is because I love being a woman. I’d like to think I would be a feminist even if I were a man, of course. But is Evangeline living in Opposite World?
Wasn’t she also the one that stated at this year’s Comic Con panel that we as women should always be 100% selfless and never think about ourselves and our needs? Like that’s our “power” Blegh.
I just love how she associates being strong and fearless with being like a man. Like women can’t possibly want to be strong and fearless cause it’s nice to not feel scared and weak. No, it’s because we want to be like MEN! MEN MEN MEN !!!! Everything we choose as women has to do with how we want to be or not be like MEN!!!
Also, I take issue with how she associates female characters who are “strong and thrives in danger” as one-dimensional. If a female character is one-dimensional it’s not because she wields a weapon or because she can fight back. There are many male characters in fiction who can do those things and still have tremendous emotional depth and character development. If a female character is one-dimensional, it’s because she’s written badly. Taking away her physical strength or strong will won’t give her anymore depth. If you want proof, well, just check out every single “damsel in distress” character in media. They stand there, cry, scream, wish our male protagonist good luck and gets kidnapped. Still one-dimensional.
If you want deep, well-written female characters, give her a motivation, give her a history, give her a personality, emotions, desires, fears, etc. Don’t act like just simply being ‘feminine’ or ‘masculine’ is going to make them a deep character
” If a female character is one-dimensional, it’s because she’s written badly.”
Very well-said. I couldn’t even figure out what she meant by that, but now it makes sense. She doesn’t even see that she’s judging women through the lens of gender, but not men.
That is a major insight – that she is seeing women thru a man’s lens.
Flipping thru channels last night, I was a bit disgusted (so tired of violence) and was about to turn it off, when I happened upon a program that seemed to be portraying life thru a woman’s lens. Women are far more interesting to me – our interactions are so complex. I am waiting for scripts that see the world thru a woman’s eyes; stories about our lives and true thoughts; including the friendships that are real between us, and from our perspective.
My top favourite film that showcases female characters as actual people – The Decent (directed and written by Neil Marshall, who’s done a few Game of Thrones episodes too). It is perfect in that respect. Almost entirely female cast, full of actual people who differ from each other, and who showcase differing strengths: physical, mental etc… They just…are.
And this also reminds me of a Bill Maher comment in one of his HBO specials. He was complaining that the USA was becoming more feminine, and that was bad: “sensitivity is more important than truth; feelings are more important than facts; commitment is more important than individuality; children are more important than people; safety is more important than fun.”
I mean…you could do a phd on unpacking that comment right there. Not only in defining what feminine values are (cos, you know, men are apparently not sensitive, don’t have feelings, abhor commitment, children and safety) but what masculine values are, that these feminine values he’s defined as feminine are negative and that they are the opposite of these masculine values.
It’s this weird insistence on gender, and what constitutes a gender. Can you have a female film that’s violent? Is violence a purely masculine trait?! Are women who display violence ‘trying to be men’?! Are men who are not violent no longer men? Do you not know that female lions do all the hunting and killing?!! Do you not think that violence is a human trait that may or may not display itself differently according to gender? That it does not mean that one gender has it and the other does not.
And so on…I could easily rant about this for years.
I totally agree with you. Female aggression is hard to tolerate, because it is so backhanded most of the time. Why can’t people just be direct?! There have been times in my life where I felt as if I could be on the front line of a medieval battle – and just go for it – I mean ready to die.
Just here for Lee Pace. Evangeline can go kick rocks for all I care
She just sounds aloof and uneducated in the matter. That’s all I gotta say
Also, what exactly does it mean “trying to be a man” and to “embrace my womanhood”? All woman are different and I don’t think conforming to patriarchal traditional gender roles helps either. She should just shut up. Moron is a perfect description for this one.
@Diana B She embraces her vagina, clit and all. That is, when it comes to embracing her womanhood.
I do not share Lilly’s views on feminism, but I am not a feminist and it bothers me that feminist often respond to criticism by saying that you have have misunderstood what feminism. You should be able to depate what feminism as an ideology really means. Most feminist just say it is a positive empowering view of women (which is of course what nearly everybody would support and if would seem baffling if somebody does not) and ignore all the other ideological points many feminist promote that not everybody can necessary agree with. Nearly all ideologies have both positive and negative aspects and people who support them who are extremist. So you should not be recurred only to accept the positive ones and ignore the rest if you are not certain you can can really be behind with nearly everything of what the most vocal members of the ideology are saying.
May I ask why you are not a feminist? Do you not believe women should have equal social, economic, and political rights? Do you not believe women should have bodily autonomy, or get paid the same as a man for equal work? Please explain.
I would also follow up with-it is okay if you don’t want the ‘title’ of feminist or opt to not use that word. I know some people prefer to use humanist for various reasons, but if you want/believe in the things that Jessica is asking about-you are in line with feminism.
The thing is there is no ideology that is all encompassing. All ideologies have nuances and different factions. There are First wave feminists, second and third wave, eco feminists… The list goes on and on. The only truly binding ideology within feminism is gender equality. Saying you reject Feminism because you disagree with some extremists is kind of like saying you’re against Christianity because of the Westboro baptists.
•Zoe•
Using the Westboro Baptist analogy is spot on. Thank you for this.
But in this case, she really doesn’t know what it means though, she associates being feminist with “trying to pretend to be a man”, that isn’t what feminism is at all. It’s like what a commenter on here once said, it’s like saying that a socialist is someone that likes to go out a lot. A lot of the celebs who are critics of feminism don’t seem to understand what it means at all. I would like to hear an educated, well put together criticism on feminism, if you have links, please feel free to share.
A gripe here: why do these women feel inclined to denigrate a movement that has changed their lives? Why don’t they have a grasp on just a little bit of history?
I find it odd that you object to the notion that Evangeline doesn’t understand the definition of feminist yet you offer no alternative definition of your own. Feminism does not mean “acting like a man.” It simply doesn’t. Just as Christianity does NOT mean, “Believing in aliens.”
What, exactly, do you “not agree with” about feminism? What makes you “not a feminist?”
good question…anyone?
The problem that I hear is all these women who have received the benefits and priveleges of the feminist movement are so ill-informed that they believe it is something separate from their lives. Let’s get simple. Do you like owning property, a car? Like voting? Like being able to walk around town without a man? Like buying a drink now and again or having a smoke? Like being able to read any book or watch anything you like? Like being able to talk to anyone you want to? Like being able to decide when or if you give birth? Guess what, you’re a feminist. If you have a problem with any of those freedoms, by all means, cross over to the other side and enjoy the patriarchal slavery men have designed for you. Don’t mind the legions of women who fought for your freedom, they won’t be spinning in their graves or anything.
What a moron. I’ve seen a few interview with her recently and she just rubs the wrong way. She’s so full of herself, but there is nothing to back up her confidence. she says she doesn’t seek out film roles and she’s a reluctant actress? Fine, go away, no one will miss you.
I used to like her. /sigh
She’s aged very badly. She is still young (35) but whenever I see photos of her I’m shocked that this used to be the very beautiful Kate on the tv show Lost. In some photos she looks like a completely different person. Maybe it’s her awful hair and fashion choices these last few years.
So she has no idea what the word feminism means, but she also doesn’t appear to know what multi dimensional means, because all her characters have been flat as hell. Unless she just sucks the dimensions out of them? She’s like a black hole for thoughtfulness.
She’s awesome! Woohoo!! What a brave woman to speak her mind in today’s climate of bullying and intimidation!
what a hilarious comment
I see the 4Chan trolls infiltrated this post….
@Kitten looks like it lol
I think it’s hilarious how feminists immediately go to body shaming to crush the non-believer. Look at how many comments there are here about how terrible her hair is etc. So much for not judging by appearances; oh right, don’t judge FEMINISTS by appearances, my bad…
And there are also comments chastising those comments. Or do you only read what you feel “proves” your point?
I think it’s hilarious how trolls immediately go to traditional insults to try and assert their dominance. Guess what Mr. Troll, feminists don’t have to be nice because we are done with being told how to act by misogynist pigs who behave no better themselves. Oh boo hoo, they’re being mean about hair, they’re hung up on appearance, well, Mr. Troll, life is harsh, go back under your bridge, nobody is impressed by your weak efforts.
Wow. And how can she expect to have a writing career when it seems like she’s never even opened a book.
What a moron
All I know is that her performance in the Hobbit has shown is what a limited actress she really is. She is good for roles like she had w/Lost but not much else.
I can imagine some women feeling disenchanted with the mainstream feminist movement. Like WoC who have to contend with ‘Lena Dunham’-feminism, or Muslim women who are routinely patronized by the saviour-complex of mainstream feminism, or trans women who are attacked by TERFs – but someone like Evangaline Lilly?! She can GTFO. I can understand why the minorities I mentioned above might get disillusioned and not want to be identified as mainstream feminists but many of them identify with intersectional feminism.
However, rejecting feminism because you think feminism = pretending to be a man? Ugh, just eff off. ANOTHER sexual assault is making headlines in my country. Women have to fight for rights over their own bodies even in developed countries like the US. A teenager who accepted the Nobel yesterday was shot in the head for wanting to read books . This woman, on the other hand, doesn’t even realise she has the freedom to reject feminism. Most women all over the world don’t get that choice. They need feminism merely to assert their right to exist, right to earn a livelihood, right to walk on the streets. The problem isn’t just her dismissal of feminism, it’s her dismissal of feminism being equal to pretending to be a man. This woman, with every resource at her disposal, can’t even be bthered to educate herself while other women who are fighting the good fight will never get 1% of the exposure this woman does.
Oh, and you don’t have to fight for parts? That great, luv. Can you imagine what it’s like for Lupita Nyongo or Viola Davis? You dont have to, because you are privileged enough to not wonder. Perhaps, if you take the blinkers of privilege off, you might realise why us man-masquraders call ourselves feminists.
Please don’t take seat. Take the entire Lincoln Center.
Yes +1,000 to your comment. Standing ovation.
Reading comments made by WoC about their disappointment with the feminist movement has been an eye-opener and it’s led me to do a LOT of research about how and why they feel that way.
I get it, I really do.
However, it doesn’t change the way I feel about feminism, because I truly believe that feminism can be defined for oneself. It is not stagnant, but a versatile and fluid ideology.
My brand of feminism includes all men and women, and this is why I will always support not only WoC but PoC. I want to be an ally, not an opponent.
But as you said, I have no issue with WoC that refute the feminist label, especially if it’s clearly explained why. My issue is with women like Evangeline who have NO idea what the word means.
•Kitten•
I’m honestly ashamed that prior to this site, I really had no idea that feminism traditionally AND SHAMEFULLY shut the door on WoC/PoC. However, like you I have opened my ears up and have been diligently trying to change my behaviour. And educating myself. Hopefully, if enough women throw open the doors to ALL, the disenfranchised will start to feel differently about feminism.
And I wholeheartedly agree with everything you’ve written.
Oh me too. I had no idea.
I think initially my reaction was “No way!” because I felt threatened by having my ideals questioned. I got defensive because I didn’t want to believe that everything I grew up believing had a dark and dirty underbelly.
But now that I’m armed with knowledge, I truly believe that we can change the face of feminism going forward. Also, womanists and feminists can work in conjunction with each other—we can support each other.
Or at least I hope we can.
I was reminded in a recent conversation (which got pretty heated) with my mother that the feminism of the past is not MY feminism. In the discussion, I presented a hypothetical in which a woman got intoxicated at a party and was raped. My mom, a staunch feminist, said that the woman should have been more careful. I said the man should have not assumed that a drunk woman was there for the taking simply because she was drunk.
We never resolved the argument-we simply disagreed.
Anyway, sorry for the rambling. My point was I think we have the power to redefine modern feminism to be more inclusive. It doesn’t have to be off-putting.
I also want to be an ally. And I also welcome allies.
@kitten have you read any of the books by Bell Hooks? I feel like she has really been the voice for black women in their struggle for a voice one feminism. She actually helped me as a black woman to even see why there is such a disconnect or divide between black men and women currently. The fact that black women took up arms with white women in the fight for feminism by many black men was seeing as a betrayal. Black men viewed feminism as an issue between white men and white women only because blacks had their own struggles to deal with and so much of the movement early on was only focused on oppression due to gender while ignoring race issues. So yeah id you haven’t heard of bell hooks or read any of her books i definitely recommend them 🙂
Yes Lauren!
I put “Ain’t I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism”, “Feminism is for Everybody” and “All About Love” (because that one just sounds fun) on my Amazon wishlist so I’m hoping Santa will leave me some Bell Hooks under the Christmas tree 🙂
•Kitten•
I wasn’t defensive so much…more stunned. I went to a very inclusive all women’s college that was very much about empowering ALL women so I assumed that was true for the entire movement. I’m glad to have been told that not all women have that experience. And like you and •Sixer• (and probably •wolfpup•) I feel that it’s very important to change the face of feminism. When men or women make statements like the one above, it motivates me to teach, rather than shame. I want to be part of solution and not part of the problem.
•Lauren•
I know you weren’t adressing me but thanks for the suggestions. I’ll try and find them so I can further my own education.
•everyone•
I just read Janet Mock’s memoir ‘Redefining Realness’ and it was wonderful. She is a trans woman that tackles gender, feminism, racism, and LGBTQ issues. Strongly recommended.
@Ladyslippers-I guess I meant defensive in the sense that I wanted to convince WoC that this wasn’t what feminism is, at least not how it had been presented to me my entire life.
But upon researching the history of black women and feminism, I quickly found that I was wrong. This led to an awareness of my privilege in the sense that my definition of feminism was relegated entirely to my experience as a white woman.
Ultimately, I have ZERO desire to convince WoC to adopt the feminist label or attempt to erase feminism’s history of neglecting WoC. I seek only to define what feminism means to me. For me, feminism includes everyone. Fighting for black people’s rights is just as important to me as fighting for women’s rights. We can’t change the past but we can listen, learn and grow and become part of a movement that’s better than our mom’s feminism.
I probably sound like an idealistic sap, but that’s how I feel.
•Kitten•
I *know* I’m an idealist! Lol I’m an INFP afterall. ☺️
Like you, I can’t change the past, however I can affect the future. Hopefully we, and others, can change the face of feminism enough that WoC/PoC and men — heck everyone — feels welcomed enough to join and participate.
(Remember I said I was an idealist! Lol)
@ Maya
PREACH IT SISTER!!!!!! agree with everything.
@Kitten
you are seriously becoming one of my favourites here bless your flawless comments!
Cheers, @Kitten and @So!
Please excuse the typos in my original comment. Was too riled up notice them!
*raises glass* Cheers, ladies! 😀
That is a really thoughtful, insightful post. It’s very easy to forget the broader, global picture that women face, including those denied even the most basic human rights. Someone who feels the way Evangeline does should learn more about their lives, and then re-evaluate how they feel about their own.
•lucy2•
Agreed.
Fantastic post.
Excellent. Thank you.
Standing ovation for Maya Memsaab.
Loving this comment.
I’ll clap harder during her scenes. 🙂
And I’ll find the theater manager to have you removed for disrupting the film.
LMAO
I get people tossed out of theaters quite regularly. Sporting events too. I do not tolerate disruption.
“no” means “no”. Except for feminism. You are not allowed to refuse feminism. Deviate from the Holy Vagina Scripture and you shall be burned for your heresy. Sounds fair, right?
“No means no”? Yeah because being violently sexually assaulted is the same as refusing to subscribe to an ideology.
Why are you so threatened by women?
Don’t let our vaginas frighten you.
What are you even talking about? The more you comment, the less intelligent you sound.
Where do I find a copy of this “Holy Vagina Scripture?”
@Kitten, one does tend to fear the things one has never seen.
Pfff – if you really were a feminist, you’d have got it in the mail along with your agenda that outlines everything we need to be destroying.
*you shouldn’t refuse feminism especially if you reap the benefits of the ideology as Evangeline has. She used to do a bunch of political and volunteer work. How she can do that and not call herself a feminist? You on the other hand, obviously find it easier to make fun of something in which you have no experience on. Putting aside all the political and socio-economic aspects to feminism, you have no idea how it feels to have someone feel as though they have a right to yours body. You can’t even possibly begin.
Silly, ignorant comment. Every FemiNazi knows we only use stoning for heresy, not burning.
Lol!
No sh-t! There’s a Holy Vagina Scripture?! Does that mean we can register as a religion and get tax breaks??!
It’s regrettable that she’s so ignorant about feminism, but she’s entitled to her opinion. Feminism is about claiming your full personhood in the context of a democracy. That’s it. At least to me.
I feel the same way. I can’t be angry with someone for being ignorant. That’s a lot of people definition of feminism. Hopefully someone like Gloria Steinem will read her comment and enlighten her.
She’s entitled to her opinion, I’m entitled to mock her ignorance, it works out.
“I don’t even like the word feminism because when I hear that word, I associate it with women trying to pretend to be men”
Seriously her comment doesn´t bother me because she says she “associates the word with wanting to be a man”. Sadly that is what most people associate with feminism today.
Now we can all bitch about ohh but that isn´t what feminism original means… WHATEVER! The original meaning of “feminism” isn´t up to date anymore. Language is made by the people and the times they live in. We create new words all the time, we change meanings of words all the time, we expand definitions all the time. Otherwise there would be no need for new editions of dictionaries. By the way does someone remember the original meaning of “gay”?
The definition of feminism has changed in the heads of the people. More people out there know the new negative meaning than the original one. Who knows what people in 100 years will think feminism is.
Perhaps – but we should all be aware of *history*, or better yet, *herstory*!!!
Yeah, no, you don’t just redefine an important word with your vague notion of what it might mean. I get that being proudly ill-informed is popular but I don’t respect it and I won’t accept it. Certainly not from someone who clearly lacks any intellectual prowess.
Ugh, SO annoying. I was going to buy her new children’s book, but after reading her ignorant comments about feminism I don’t think I will bother anymore.
She doesn’t even realize that it’s precisely because of feminism that she can have a career as an actress AND also be able to write books and do anything else she wants. Before feminism most actresses would just be told to look pretty and stay in their box – they wouldn’t be allowed or taken seriously about writing books.
Dear god…at least educate yourself before opening your mouth and sound like a fool. What an idiot (another one.. surprise, surprise..).
Wow. Evangeline’s stupid sure is showing with that comment.
I would love to take precious Lilly and throw her in a manufacturing job in Kentucky. I bet it would take 30 minutes before she understood the true meaning of feminism. She needs to talk to Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Maybe he could start doing seminars in Hollywood.
Really, I think a lot of women who shrug off feminism aren’t so much ignorant but spoiled. They take for granted that they have rights and don’t have a reason to fear for them. Most people seem to forget that 200 years or less ago women:
-Could be married off to whomever their parents chose
-Didn’t have a right to education
-Couldn’t get a divorce
-Were “owned” by their husbands, and as such could be abused and misused in anyway their husbands saw fit
-Had little economic opportunity outside of menial labor or prostitution
And many, many other things, as well. So it is really rich to see these actresses and pop stars roll their eyes at feminism when if it wasn’t for women fighting for equality rights, these gals would most likely be at home raising kids and not be in the entertainment business.
Had no right to vote, had no right to own property, had no right to choose their husband, had no access to birth control, had no right to drink alcohol or smoke, had no right to be out without a male relative present, I could go on and on. By all means, deny feminism, it was so great for women before the movement took hold and finally made a little headway.
Most feminists don’t want to pretend to be men, they just want to pretend they get their salaries, opportunities, and freedom from fear.
I find it telling that all these I’m-not-a-feminist comments are coming from privileged women. Someone should ask an average jane on the street what she thinks feminism is. I’m a feminist and I have NEVER been confused for a man. I clearly am doing something wrong.
Omg. What a colossal idiot. A lot of actors do not have formal education. Maybe that’s the real problem as to why they say the most mind blowing things.
I started binge-watching the L Word a week ago. (Yes, I’m terribly late to that party but my son was an infant when the show was on so I have a good excuse! I was bit busy for TV at that time). And in one of the episodes the group of women accept and embrace a man who is a “lesbian in a man’s body” by toasting to him that “if he want’s to give up his white male privilege to join them in being a second class citizen” then it was okay with them. It was a funny way of getting to a very serious point about the state of feminism in the 21st century. In other words, equality of the sexes is still a struggle. Very simple. I agree this actress sounds completely clueless.
“As for Evangeline’s thoughts on her idea of feminism, she’s certainly sticking her head in the sand. She talks big about how she doesn’t feel discrimination because she never auditions for roles. The roles come to her. So yeah, she’s insulated and clueless.”
For now. Let’s see what she has to say when she’s in her late forties and the producers stop knocking because there are eight thousand younger, more beautiful women who fit their script better.
Yeah, and this: “Feminists want to be men.” You know who perpetuates this idea of feminism? Right wing nuts on Fox and anyone who thinks other people having rights means having their own rights and privileges removed or reduced. Makes me crazy.
Crazy!!!
Evangelina should shut her trap and go back to school.
I think she needs to speak Zooey Deschanel. She’s great about talking how she’s a feminist but can still be girly.
Stupid twit. Maybe the publicists of these tools should explain what the word means since that’s always one of the questions these days.
That is the most idiotic comment on feminism I think I’ve ever heard. Thanks Evangeline. You have done all women who have fought long and hard to achieve access to the vote, to education, to birth control, to abortion, to freedom from harassment, etc. etc. a great disservice. Shame on you. Go back to school, study history and learn what feminism really means.
Can someone explain why roles come to her? She is a terrible actress! She isn’t that pretty. And frankly has no screen presence.
So seriously why?
Funnily enough, before these Hobbit films came out, I’d never heard of her. And to me she looks like a budget Kate Beckinsale–and it ain’t like Kate Beckinsale is all that either, so she must have an overinflated ego to brag that she gets tons of roles very easily. Maybe if she’s the hot girl in all of them.
The only reason Kate Beckinsale is even still relevant is because she’s married to Len Wiseman.
The word “feminism” itself isn’t masculine at all. It’s rather feminine.
Really? That’s what she thinks feminism means? That’s got to be the most misguided understanding of feminism I’ve heard to date. She seems like quite the dunce, doesn’t she? Last time she made a reference to herself as being “barefoot and pregnant” which is actually a derogatory description and not something meant literally. It’s like someone saying “I love it when people call me meat head, having meat on my head is the best thing ever!”… what a buffoon.
How are so many celeb women still so out of the loop that they don’t even know what the word means? 🙁
Most actors and actresses never even finish high school, there are a lot of brainless twits in Hollywood, there are also geniuses but there are far more twits.
You would think at this point every publicist in the industry would make sure their clients know the actual definition of feminism so they don’t keep making fools of themselves.
Oh, hi Izzy.
Yes, you would think. If I were a publicist for these fools though, I would honestly by now have purchased the largest, heaviest hard cover copy of a dictionary I could find. And every time one of my idiot clients came up with an idiot statement like this about feminism (and what they THINK it means) I would end up hitting them over the head with it.
*sigh* Too bad Sony didn’t have a whole chain of emails about this to be hacked…
I believe in gender equality but I think there are some things women cannot or should not be. All my co-workers are men. I dont bring out the feminist card ever. It’s divisive! I stand up for myself if I ever feel that I’m not getting my due and they respect me for that. Act like an equal and you will be treated as such.
I think on a micro level what you say has truth but just wanting to be treated equal does not give women equal pay for equal work, the ERA never passed & we still have a long way to go.
There’s a difference between wanting and being. Women and men are different creatures. Understanding that is key. Some women push too hard on the feminist issue and it backfires on them. Women can become overly emotional. I think they have to learn to role with certain things and choose their battles carefully. Both sexes can be bullies.
Maybe you could explain your take better, but so far I thoroughly disagree with it. I’m not sure how men and women are different, except salient biological differences. And what’s the emotional part got to do with it? Again, I’m possibly misunderstanding, but are you saying that women can fight for equality, but not push too much? And if their polite fight doesn’t earn consideration, what next?
@maddelina
“Woman can become overly emotional” really? And men can’t? It’s trite like this that boggles my mind. This idea that these traits are heavily gender-specific, that the other gender does not have these traits. That perhaps sometimes, traits are human rather than pertaining to one gender or another. “Woman can become overly emotional” NO – “Humans can become overly emotional” Yes.
It’s this insistence that people of a particular gender should, MUST, act a certain way because ‘Genetics’ and no amount of *wishing* will make things change.
“Act like an equal and you will be treated as such.” I am so happy for you that that has been your experience. It has not been mine. Quite far from it.
Maddelina, you are thinking critically and analyzing your culture which is the first step and thats great.
Unfortunately, combating patriarchy (aka sexism) isn’t as easy as telling oneself to feel and act equal to men until it comes true. There in lies a huge problem, men never have to “act” equal or have to feel like they need to fight / struggle / expend any degree of energy to be on a level playing ground with women, they simply “are”. Even you admit are mentally “convincing” yourself you are equal instead of inherently feeling equal. You are fighting that “less than” feeling. Our husbands, brothers and boyfriends aren’t at fault for sexism- they are products of our patriarchal culture. Feminism is not about demonizing all men for sexism. Women are often complicit in their own objectification and oppression as well.
What Feminism to me means:
1.) knowledge is power! KNOW the nuances and explicit examples of sexism. Recognizing how sexism is embedded in our culture (language, institutions, religion, magazinez, pop culture) empowers you. You can’t fight what you don’t know and you can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge.
2.) support women’s rights. The plight of women around the world and of different colors should concern you. Look out for one another.
3.) Men and women are in fact, the SAME creature. We are humans (notice the use of MAN in human, man is normative), the sames species. We are more alike than we are different thus women (notice the MEN in the spelling of women, men is the normative) deserve to be treated as equals. We are not inferior “different” creatures.
Feminism is all about equality for all peoples.
Me – thank you for your explanation, it is one of several that I wish I could copy. So good…
Love this – love your explanation and especially your charity.
There are some implications and byproducts of the sexual revolution that concern me, but this is a definition of feminism that I can totally get on board with.
The privelege you enjoy, working side by side with men, came as a direct result of the feminist movement. You are free to behave as you do because women fought for your right to do so. As long as you understand that, as long as you support women having equal opportunity, equal education, equal pay for equal work, it doesn’t matter how you feel about the word “feminism”. And, for the record, women can do anything, there are biological differences between the sexes but both sexes are capable of amazing achievements and should not be artificially limited by gender roles.
I raised my feminist flag high & proud years ago but must have missed getting my strap on & sticky mustache. How did I miss that?!
What a dumb comment…
I’ve had some interesting conversations (ok more like arguments) with my mom regarding feminism/cat call culture. Such as the classic example of a woman dressed “provocatively” walking down the streets expecting not to get cat called by men for showing skin. This was right after the hollaback video came out (in which the woman was fully clothed) and my mom was of the opinion that women have a responsibility to themselves to dress a certain way because otherwise they were inviting unwanted attention from men and being attention seeking. The point I made to my mom was that women could be wearing a trash bag or sweat pants and still get comments, regardless of whether they are wearing a crop top or short shorts. To which she responded in all her years of working in NYC she never got cat calls and never saw women getting cat called, while my experience has been so different. It got very heated and there was no resolution. But I can’t imagine men were not cat calling in the 80s in NY! It’s like we are living in two different cities!
Moms….(eyeroll). Seriously though, there have always been men who act out.
Whatever, I hate her since she said she used to cry herself to sleep wishing she wasn’t so pretty so that men would like her for her smarts. Then her saying she doesn’t like being an actress yet obviously taking roles from girls who would kill to act. Now this? And don’t forget her ‘I get all the roles, I don’t even have to look for them’ comment in this interview! Meh.
Betty Davis is rolling in her grave, bless her soul. Someone who stood up to the men in Hollywood when it was a truly awful place. Yes, its a cesspool now, which should give an idea of how bad it was 70 years ago.
What’s truly sad is that with all this information at our fingertips, we seem to be happy in our ignorance. Proud to declare it to the world. Not ashamed when its pointed out that we’re using a word incorrectly. Ecstatic that we got where we are with little to no hard work or smarts, just connections.
It used to be embarrassing to have had to repeat a grade. Nowadays, kids just shrug it off like its no big deal. I can remember when being a ‘C’ student was something you never told anyone, least of all your employer, but then we got 2 terms of Bush telling us he was fair to middling and we hired him twice.
I don’t consider myself a feminist either just like someone said up thread they haven’t done nothing for women of color! I care about our rights and all and I believe in uplifting each other! But, I’m not gonna call Evangeline any name or go in on her for her OPINION! That’s how she feels! I can’t knock her for that! What she said didn’t upset me at all actually it made me laugh because everyone on this thread is calling her names and going in on her for how she feels! I find it quite comical! And quet as its kept I know a lot of women( black and white) that feel this way and trust me they are not idiots! Just saying! #kanyeshrug
•Jaden and Shiloh’s Mom•
Not *everyone* has called her an idiot. Granted a lot have and that’s their opinion.
Hopefully there are bigger takeaways for everyone today. For me, inclusivity and education are my takeaways, and specifically they are also the keys to change the face of feminism.
And I that would be fine if that was her answer. If she felt that movement hadnt truly benefited her or WOC, whatever. But she said its because she doesn’t want to “act like a man” which just shows that she doesn’t have any concept of the word actually means.
I think trying to boil feminism down to “uplifting” each other is flawed. Women can perpetuators of patriarchy and be oppressors themselves. You aren’t doing wome any favors by justifying or excusing ignorant comments such as this womans interview comments. Womwn don’t have to give her a free pass on sexist ignorant comments just because she has a vagina.
I’m a black woman as well, and I know that our needs and wants don’t normally get addressed (if at all), when white women are drawing up their list of demands of rights for women. But you know what? I don’t think we as women should be battling each other until we get what we want. Right now it seems to me that taking away your toys and going home doesn’t get us to equality.
How about we work together to get to the promise land FIRST, then quibble about what each individual needs. BTW, I think this argument is old and outdated. Yes, in the 60s and 70s when white women were fighting just to work outside the house, we were already there (usually in THEIR houses). But since then, more and more white women HAVE to work. More and more families depend on TWO paychecks. This income and inequality gap is hurting actual men, women and children. Now is not the time to divide and be conquered, IMO.
•delorb•
‘United we stand; divided we fall’. Smart words then and now.
And thank you for standing with feminism even though it hasn’t always been welcoming. Hopefully that will change. One person* at a time. All I can sty is there have been so many women here that have taught me so much and continue to do so — it’s truly humbling.
Sincerely,
A Woman Continuely Learning
*More male-centered speech: perSON as inheritances were literally divided per son of the father. 😢
Says the woman who looks like Oscar Wilde from the neck up. That being said, if you don’t understand or believe in feminism, maybe just give a non-answer and give it lip service, no? I know she wants to make herself seem like the “cool girl” so she can get more parts from men, but A) grossly mischaracterizing and B) downright insult the work that less fortunate women have done so she can be where she is, is definitely not the way to go.
Oh good. Now she can give up this career nonsense and get back into the kitchen where she belongs.
That’s a lot of ignorance and humble-brag in one interview.
Didn’t she once say things were tougher for her because she’s so beautiful? I bet she’ll go through a crisis as she ages. It’ll be interesting to see if her thoughts about feminism evolve too.
Wow! She’s an idiot! Do yourself a favor and get an education Lily
honey, you don’t need to pretend, ’cause you LOOK like a man! and speaking of LOOKing, get a dictionary for god’s sake .. these dum-dums need to zip it on feminism.
She is too damn old to be spewing this middle school level of idiocy. Go away, Kate.
The header should really be Evangeline Lilly, too stupid for words. She’s too old to be this dumb.
Way to set us back a century or two.
I’m so sick of the comic adapted movie bashing on here.
It’s interesting the Evangeline chose to be an actress. She probably doesn’t recall that women were refused the right to study or perform drama. They simply weren’t allowed.
How does she think the change came about?
Let’s go back to the beginning, women were not allowed to be actresses of course, they were chained to the home, father or husband, so all the female roles were played by boys. Good times. And then when women did make it on stage, they were all whores, yes that’s right, they were all shunned by society and judged to be women of ill repute and easy virtue. More good times. So this angel is treading the boards in a bubble of modern privilege and deigns to inform us that we should really just drop that whole “wish I was a man” thing. Thanks dear, I’ll take it under advisement.
What a dumb, educated twat. Feminism isnt about “wanting to be a man”, it is about equality. I guess bitch should not have dropped out of school after all.
She likes well-rounded female characters. And then plays a female in a Tolkien series of films. Oh yes – Tolkien – that great writer of complex female characters. lol
This breaks my heart, Evangeline. 🙁 I didn’t think you’d ever be this ignorant.
Wow, she is really stupid. Sad.
According to her, being against female genital mutilation is “trying to be a man”. Does she think being a woman means mutilating your own child? Accord to her, being against little girls being sold to adult men to get married and raped by them is “trying to be a man”. So she thinks women should sell their own daughters to old pedophiles? She thinks believing girls should be allowed to vote, to go to school, to drive, not to be sent to jail when a stranger rapes her because “it’s sex outside the marriage, and therefore illegal” is trying to be a man.
I’ve met dumb people, but I’ve never come across someone so retarded in my life.