The last time we checked in on Robin Wright, she and Ben Foster had broken up again and called off their engagement for what was maybe (?) the second time. That was during the summer of splits last year. And just this week, Ben stepped out with Jack White’s ex-wife Karen Elson. So… if you had money on Robin and Ben reuniting at some point, you were wrong. For what it’s worth, I totally thought they would do the makeup-and-breakup thing one more time. Anyway, Robin covers the new issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK. It’s sort of refreshing to see a woman of this age (Robin is 49) on the cover of a major fashion magazine, even if the editorial is so simple/classic, it’s kinda boring. Here are some highlights from her interview – she’s promoting the new season of House of Cards, so most of the conversation is about that.
She loves directing: “I would prefer to be behind the camera … full-on, forever. That would be great.”
Acting versus directing: “You feel you’ve completed the chapter. It’s so whimsical, this business; you never know when or what is going to come next. So never say never. But if someone said, ‘You can either act or direct’, without hesitation I would say, ‘Direct’. I think once I tasted the directing, I didn’t want to go back. That’s all. No different to going, ‘Oh, I love that restaurant, I don’t want to go back to Denny’s.”
On Kevin Spacey: “He’s such a master. He turns it on so quickly and is such a fast absorber, just a sponge. You don’t have to say anything to him.”
She became a mother at the age of 25: “I didn’t know me. I’m living my life now. I’ve raised kids my whole life. Oh my God. [I am now discovering] so many things. So many things that I probably would have learned in my thirties had I not been a mom and a wife … I’m finally getting to me. You know? It’s an essence, it’s a feel thing.”
She wants equality in Hollywood: “I do want to make changes, for the better. I think my mission statement is: you don’t have to be a bitch to be powerful. I’m trying to stick to that.”
I go back and forth on whether I think you HAVE to be a bitch to be powerful. I guess I don’t like the way that statement/thought is framed, because at the end of the day, if you’re a woman with any kind of power, people are going to call you a bitch regardless. And what’s so wrong with being a bitch? Are we equating “bitch” with “someone who takes charge” or “someone who knows her own mind” or “someone decisive, focused, ambitious and professional”? Are we genderizing the whole notion of power? And that statement from Robin in particular is particularly rich, because… um, she doesn’t really have a reputation for being the most pleasant person to be around.
Photos courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar UK.
…and yet…
” if you’re a woman with any kind of power, people are going to call you a bitch regardless.”
This is very true. However, I don’t think it should give women free reign to abuse other people (i.e. being a b*tch) to them. I am in a position of power at work with young women under me. I see my role as a teacher and nurturer rather than a dictator. I have other women who are at my level being b*tches to me, but if I turn around and act the same way toward them or the people under me, that is not right. So I don’t do it.
Yeah, I think what she is saying is, “You don’t have to be unpleasant and rude to people to be powerful.”
That’s the way I took it too. I think you can be very powerful by being respectful and nurturing like @crumpet said. But it doesn’t hurt to have that bitch thing in your pocket so when needed, and there maybe times when it is called for, you can whip it out!
This reminds me of the sketch Tina fey did on SNL. She was saying how Hillary was a bitch and so was Amy and she because, ” bitches get things done.” I have no problem with being considered a bitch or the women in my life considered as bitches. I have taught my daughter to be loud when possible to be heard, because unfortunately women have to be loud to be heard. So I don’t think being a bitch is a bad thing. You have to be at times to be heard.
The conception of “being a bitch” is wrong, if a woman say loud and clear what she wants, she is considered a “bitch” and that’s the main core of what is wrong. And if you say something people don’t wanna hear, you are automatically a bitch.
I agree. i think when you’re strong, confident and know what’s up, you get unfairly labeled a bitch. So I feel we need to take that word back and make it not a negative. There is power in strength of knowledge.
Exactly! i love reading these comments bc it helps me not slip back into the mindset of not rocking the boat instead of being assertive.
When it’s a word that’s only applied to women, then it’s a problem.
Love her blue and white striped dress look, I want that dress!
I agree that you can have an inner power and don’t need to resort to being bitchy in order to feel powerful, same for men too!
Lovely pics. Why hasn’t she been on Vogue yet Anna?!!!!!!!
maybe because nobody with a brain wants to be associated with Vogue anymore after the Kardashians took it over? Certainly Vogue will never be what it used to be before that flop.
I personally think she probably was offered, mostly because Claire Underwood has become such a fashion icon, but I think Robin is really picky, she was Vanity Fair’s cover for April last year, and I think is a smart, classy choice not to overexpose her image. Kudos. Unlike the Blanchetts, Kidmans, Winslets that have saturated the fashion cover magazines so much that it makes me sick when I see them. Again and again.
Yeah, I was gonna say, she has a well-earned reputation of being one of the most unpleasant actresses out there.
oh please, brief me because i was unaware of this and I’ve always loved her.
I agree with you. I think it depends on what bitch means. Women get called a bitch just by not smiling while men don’t have to smile. I think there is more pressure on women to make other people feel that they are unthreatened and warm. Women like Robin Wright come off as icy which could result in her being labeled a bitch. Maybe she just means you don’t have to be a nasty person to be powerful. Still powerful men get much more of a pass when they are not so nice.
you know what? Icy is often use with the same purpose as “bitch”, to diminish a woman who’s not being what people tend to believe a woman should be: warm, caring, sensitive, emotional. When you’re not openly that way then you’re ICY. It’s almost a nicer way to call you a bitch. I read that often about Robin, but i think she is a very private, even shy person, she never let’s go much about herself, maybe as an result of years in the show business, to protect herself.
I have to think hard to find one powerful woman, who’s not considered bitch by someone…
I can’t think of anyone…
She is very beautiful, but where the hell is my House of Cards? I need to see Francis the annihilation of Francis Underwood! Yes I am out yelling on my lawn.
House of Cards is out today!!! I’m so excited.
But it depends on what you define as a “bitch”. Let me begin by saying that generally speaking I have a huge problem with the word itself – I don’t want to hear it in a song, I don’t want to hear my husband or son or any other male using it – when a man uses that word it is almost always meant to diminish, insult and put down a woman.
However, I have found that when women use it, they tend to look on it as an empowering word. It is a strange dichotomy but there it is. So in that context I see it as someone who takes charge and is not afraid to speak up. And yes, they will call you a bitch for that. Every time. Tell them in a meeting that they are wrong, over budget, late and the whole project is a write-off? Bitch. Tell them what they want isn’t reasonable and can’t be done? Bitch. Tell them that using derogatory terms towards a minority/disabled/woman/LGBTQ person is wrong? Bitch again.
So I am afraid that in the context she is referring to, making changes in HW, you do have a bitch to get it done, so own it and go for it. I don’t think it means being mean to underlings, or not mentoring younger women, or being rude to your co-workers. At least not for me. It is just being a female version of “wow, he is tough, tells it like it is, doesn’t take no for an answer, gets stuff done”.
Unpopular opinion here perhaps, but I think Jessica alba should listen to this. She said that she makes people in her company cry, she also said “go home and ask your wife, I can’t with you” to a male colleague in a meeting (everyone seemed to think that was great). If a man had said “go home and ask your husband” to a female colleague there would be outrage. You can be the boss without being a bitch.
If they were looking at the various merits of condom thickness – then YES I think it would be totally appropriate to tell them to ask their partner who is the sex that will be using – whats wrong with accepting that SOME products really do need to have input from the appropriate sex and only they know best?
Christ.
They were just talking about the design of the packaging, you don’t need to be a woman to be qualified to talk about that. And what is the point of hiring people, if you’re not willing to listen to them (you’re just wasting money on salaries). Do you want a staff full of sycophants, who nod in agreement to everything you say
Yes, that´s exactly who I was thinking about, Jessica Alba.
A bit*h for me is someone who talkes bad about others for no apparent reason.
Someonr who puts obstacles in others way just because they can.
My boss is a woman and she is in a powerful position within a global conglomerate. Yet she is also one of the nicest and helpful women I know.
Women can be powerful and helpful without being a bit*ch.
I feel very lucky because my mother is a great strong woman role model and she is not a bitch. I think it comes down to being decisive and clear in your communication without being mean and disrespectful to people. While I agree that strong women will get labelled bitches by someone regardless it’s still an important point to make. I think alot of women have a difficult time asserting themselves in an effective way. Some are wishy-washy because they’re afraid of being disliked (that’s my inclination). And others over compensate by going full throttle mean. I think it’s a skill that may not come naturally to alot of women for a variety of reasons. Like any skill you need to consciously work on it and develop it.
I was in the corporate world for decades and well remember when Gen X arrived. The woman seemed to equate bitchiness with power. Bitchiness just makes life unpleasant for those around you. It’s TONE and MANNER. It’s an attitude of I’m better than you (a mistake because everyone falls and fails some time). The tone is everything. So is just having some basic manners. Speaking with tone and attitude is just a facade and everyone knows it. Power comes from within and it’s born in confidence and intelligence. I was always called “tough,” as in strong. Never a bitch.
I don’t know. I like that statement that you don’t have to be but….I think you do. If you’re not-they won’t even notice you.
But sometimes people call you one just because you’re powerful, regardless of how you treat people. I personally don’t like the word. I don’t like it in songs, I don’t like hearing women refer to themselves as such and I definitely hate hearing men use it to refer to women. But that’s just me. The word has so many different connotations so I guess it all depends on what you personally think it means.
According to Heartless Bitches International (I am literally a card-carrying member) BITCH =
“Being In Total Control, Honey”
Broad/ Babe/ Betty
In
Total
Control
Herself
… is what I always took it to mean, yep.
eta: Robin’s face now looks like someone else’s … Josie Bissett circa 1989, maybe? Knock it off with the botox ‘sprinkles’, Robin.
I hate this word. To me it means being rude, unpolite. The previous boss of my sister’s job was the real definition of a bitch (and very proud of it, btw), so when she (sis) assumed, everyone looked down at her because she was too sweet and nice girls don’t get things done. Today, my sister is known as the best one that ever took the job and people don’t even remmember the other one. And yes, she’s still the nicest, sweetest woman ever.
Oh what a coincidence that Foster steps out with a new fling, the oh-so-cliche model (I think she’s pretty ugly tho) right the same week House of cards comes out and Robin has a new Harper’s Bazaar cover. Rebound so much?
Why is he so passive aggressive?
I don’t know. Maybe he wants her back, or she was the one who ended it so he wants some revenge? It could be a million things, and I’m really curious on how, why and when they broke up, t’s the more private celebs who usually have the juiciest stories about their lives, and Robin has been very private.
But I also think that neither Foster nor jack white’s ex are famous enough to get a paparazzi follow them nonetheless on NYC. I know I wouldn’t recognize neither of them on the street, and the timing of the outing is curious to say the least. What I’m trying to say is that I think one of them called the paps, probably him ahed of Robin’s cover and show release, or her because she’s a nobody who could use some publicity. With is sad because both of them are referenced on the Daily Mail and gossip sites who reported the story as the EXES of more famous people.
I think he probably started to have some issues about being less successful, less wealthy, less popular than Robin, it happens a lot in Hollywood the professional jealousy. Thats why he is rebounding with someone whos not a threat to him, He is an ethernal “next thing” ever since 3:10 to yuma he’s trying to become a household name without success, his movies are usually a flop (the program which was supposed to be his final breakout premiered on direct tv, the finest hours bombed and he had a minor supporting role) but mostly I think she was fed up and never really wanted to get married to him ( I remember an interview she gave after divorcing Penn where she said she didn’t wanted to ever get married again)
But it helps….lol
I have a lot of family who works crew in the movie industry. Below the line talent. Robin Wright does not a have great reputation as being generous at all. Her ex-husband on the set is more generous than her. He is raging ego maniac with coke problems and relationship problems, but he is respectful of the crew.
Robin’s directing of House of Cards was a poor episode. They powers that be let her direct because she was pushing hard to do so…she had no technical underpinnings.
Again why do all actors think they can direct? Directing is more than giving actors notes. Then again most actor turned directors do not know the formal cinematic techniques to direct.
Robin Wright more than likely isn’t going to give Cuaron or film school grad Kathryn Bigleow competition. She ain’t going to build a rig for 12 min oner (Cuaron) or develop technology to shoot in pitch black (Bigelow).
Just sick of actors wanting to direct. Like my looks are fading so NOW I love directing!
I think that you’re wrong. Critics and reviews are praising her directorial skills everywhere, not just now, but since the second season she started directing. Do you really believe that David Fincher, Kevin Spacey, Eric Roth would let her direct a show they produce without trusting in her talent? How many times we say ourselves that we have to give women more power in the industry in this diversity discussion and then we are the first and most unforgiving ferocious critics to women fighting the fight? That’s not only unfair because it is sexist but mostly because its not justiefied, in this case, Wright is actually a talented director.
Actually, you are wrong, I have MFA in film. I am a woman director. So don’t lecture me on diversity. I live it everyday. But gender does not compensate for lack of talent and dedication to the craft.
She directed ONE episode in House of Cards in season 1 in TV. You are clueless about this industry. The look and tone is determined by the show runner: Beau Willimon and David Fincher to some degree. I went to college with Beau.
David Fincher directed the pilot, but is not involved in the day to day.
Show runners have all the power in TV, not directors who are hired guns. And EP’s in TV like Kevin Spacey is usually in name only. Like Matthew M. is an EP on Season 2 of True Detective. He did nothing for Season 2.
TV directors are hired guns who are there to maintain the overall look and tone. TV does not pop out the lenses because there is no time. That is why TV looks flat.
True Detective Season 1 did use cinematic techniques because Cary Fukunaga is a film director.
Robin Wright does not know lenses to save her soul.
The alleged reviews hailing her directing brilliance that are “everywhere” are from critics who were not set providing technical support for Ms. Wright when she did not know where to place the camera in the scene. The DP had to hold her hand. She thinks she can talk to the actors because she is one. That is her only strength.
The weakest opening image of all the episodes in Season 1 – was hers.
Pat …
So go study the craft of filmmaking for a three years in one of most elusive programs. Work crew on 20 projects. Write several screenplays. Then pitch your screenplay to investors. Over and over. Then direct the said feature film of the screenplay you wrote. See said movie through development, pre-production, production, and post. Then go promote that movie on the festival circuit for another year or two. Until you do all the above, you in no position to tell me I am wrong.
Robin Wright is not and should not be deemed a talented because she directed ONE EPISODE of TV. Nor should we lower the bar because she is a woman. But if you have no taste and are not educated, I guess one might think she was …
@Jonas: RW didn’t direct ANY episodes on season 1. She directed 1 episode on season 2, then 2 episodes on season 3 and now, on season 4 she directed 4. So, it’s probably you and not @pat who’s getting it wrong. You don’t need to be a fan to acknowledge that the best episodes on season 4, and I’ve just finished binging, were ep. 4 and ep.10, both directed by Wright. Just watch them and in totally honesty try and say they’re not good. It’s true that on TV direction is not as what is features films: Wright admitted herself that she’s getting an education on the technical aspects of directing., without the responsibility of a feature film. You may have some degree and experience in tv, and reading what you wrote it was probably unsuccessful, maybe you feel an actress “invading” your field is advantaged by her star power, maybe by her friendship with Fincher, Roth and Spacey, I understand that. But that doesn’t mean she’s not good at it and deserves all the accolades she’s getting. You’re right about the EP credit: it was probably given to her to make her get some more money, because she’s virtually ex. producing since season 1. And I’m sorry for you, you sound jealous and bitter. Wright will probably be directing her first feature film in the near future, she already has optioned material. And I wish her all the success.
Someone please forward Robin Wright’s mission statement to Madonna. Thank you.
I appreciate and agree with what Ms. Wright had to say but it begs the question: how does one explain the existence of a mean bastard like DAVID O. RUSSELL among Hollywood’s power elite?
She looks like Elisabeth Shue in that cover! why is that?