In all honesty, I’ve never really been crazy about Bryce Dallas Howard. But the other day, I was rewatching The Help, and I couldn’t help but think to myself, “Damn, Bryce was actually pretty brave to take this role.” She was the villain, but the everyday villain, the judgy racist a–hole who hides behind her society role. Bryce didn’t play the role with much humanity – there was no effort to humanize her character at all. Which is brave. Anyway, I might need to revise my opinion about her. Bryce covers the latest issue of Redbook, and the amount of for-real-sh-t she discusses in this piece has my head spinning. This is the kind of Realness that Jennifer Lawrence could only dream of! Some highlights from Redbook:
On swapping her infamous heels for boots in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom: “The first film for me was so much more challenging, but I didn’t realize it until I had boots on! Claire’s a girl who can totally sprint in heels, but maximum effort in boots is much easier.”
On the ‘astronomically different’ pay between male and female celebs and how even her dad Ron Howard was shocked: “I’m not a spender. I live in a three-bedroom house— in fact, we just downsized. I know that we’re privileged; we don’t have to worry about paying our rent or our medical bills. But I wish people knew that this is what the life of most successful female celebrities is. What we get paid is totally, completely, astronomically different than what male celebrities get paid. And for women of color, it’s a hundred times worse. Even my dad [Director Ron Howard] has been shocked at how expensive it is to be a woman in the industry. You’re told that it’s important to have a manager as well as an agent, and for a guy that’s not as important. That’s 20% out of your paycheck rather than 10%.”
More on the cost of being a woman in Hollywood: “As a young actress, I was told the studio would pay for me to have a stylist. Amazing. Then the stylist buys a lot of clothes because I was a size 6, not [a sample] size 2 [which could be borrowed from designers]. I assumed they were part of the budget until I get a bill for $45,000. I remember standing there shaking, like, I don’t think I have this in the bank.”
On being inspired by #TimesUp, and asking for what she’s worth: “I’ve been [wimpy] about it in the past. I didn’t want people to think I wasn’t grateful for opportunities. I also get scared off by every threat during a negotiation. They’ll say, ‘We’ll just have to find someone else,’ and I back off. You can’t do that.”
Why she’s ‘grateful’ for her mom’s somewhat ‘extreme’ parenting: “My mom grew up in poverty and was terrified that her privileged children were not going to be contributing members of society. I realize now, as a parent, that some of the things she did to follow through on teachable moments were a bit extreme. But other things, like we don’t have trust funds and were told, ‘You’re 14— you need to get a job,’ I’m so grateful for. I started working at a restaurant when I was 14, and I’d be like, I just got yelled at by a customer. OK, I survived. Those moments made me feel like a capable person, and a lot of kids I knew growing up didn’t.”
The conversation Bryce is having about where her smaller paycheck goes is just as important as the conversation about pay equality. What Bryce describes is just another form of Pink Tax – the idea that a woman has to pay more out-of-pocket just because she’s a woman. It is another form of inequality that a woman “needs” all of this other stuff (an agent, a manager, a publicist, a stylist who is buying clothes instead of borrowing). And props to Bryce for talking about it. As for the way she was raised, without a trust fund and knowing the value of work… that’s good. I don’t have a problem with any of that. And she addresses the criticism of “nepotism” with her career within the interview too, just as she acknowledges that other women have it a lot harder than her. But still, think about this: this is how Ron Howard’s daughter is treated in the industry. Imagine how hard it is for the women without her connections.
Photos courtesy of Yu Tsai/Redbook, sent from Redbook promotional email.
Yeah never a fan of Bryce.
She was been helped a lot by her dad and without it she would be making Nickelodeon movies.
Most of them have been helped. The list of those who have made it on their own could fit on a sheet of paper.
Most people get help from their parents if they can or a relative or friend that helps open a door. I got my first JOB because my mother knew someone and they called the company and I got an interview. It didn’t mean I got the JOB; but it gave me an opportunity that I wouldn’t have had otherwise. MY father got JOBs for my cousins and friends with his company because he had a connection. People all over the world get a lift up if they have a connection. I don’t get mad at that. But once the door is opened and the chance given it is up to the person to make something out of it. Every celebrity child has not gone on to have the careers their parents have. Many of them are still on the low end of the pole. Even Bryce. She is not a MEGA star. She works but she is not what you would call an A list actress; even with her father’s influence and connections.
She seems like a nice person and what she said was spot on. All the “fashion stuff” with women cost more. Men don’t get judged so much about what they wear. And the men that are big stars get that they don’t have to wear the most outlandish outfits to promote a film. When women get that they can come to the playing field better armed.
Exactly. Hollywood isn’t the only place where people exploit whatever connections they can. I don’t begrudge anyone who uses a connection to snag an interview, whatever with an employer.
Who you know may get you in the door, but it’s your own talent that keeps the door open. Lots of well-connected people have tried to make it in the business ( Jackie Kennedy’s sister Lee springs to mind ) and go down in flames because they don’t have the talent to cut it.
And as far as her dad helping her get a start in the business —is anyone screaming nepotism about Ron Howard himself? His parents were both highly respected character actors and I am sure THEIR connections did a lot to get little Ron and his brother Clint some of their first child acting gigs. And I am pretty sure Clint still gets roles in his brother’s films because, well, he’s his brother. But it’s okay because they are men?
Bryce has a pretty respectable CV and has taken some big risks and worked with some edgy directors like Lars von Tiers. Say what you want about him as a director or human being, but I doubt the man hired her because of who her dad was.
Oh, I agree – Lee Radziwill is a good example of how having everything doesn’t necessarily mean you will succeed. Well, did last longer than her sister though!
I think she’s more than proved herself.
She’s also incredibly talented and has more than proven herself. She put the work in. She is a classically trained actress. She isnt coasting on her name and good looks like say, Scott Eastwood
I like her. She’s got her head on right and she’s an enjoyable performer. Also she took this seriously; she went to NYU Tisch School of the Arts rather than just relying on Daddy’s name to become a model or DJ or whatever at 16. (Oh Hi Smith kids, Lily Rose Depp, Cindy Crawford’s kids, etc.). Yes she had it easier than most but she gets it.
That’s an important point that she makes, women get paid less and have to spend more. I also think of Margot Robbie talking about having to find a way to afford security after playing Harley Quinn because of all the weirdos who want a piece of her now. So sad and so gross. Oh the “glamour” of being an actress. The curtain has certainly been lifted this year.
I completely agree. I like that her parents encouraged her to get a job. She seems so much less spoiled than most kids (including my own) who come from less wealth. I love those celebs, like Keanu, who live below their means. It show humility, which is in short supply in Hollywood. She seems grounded and very aware of her privilege.
I agree. You can’t blame someone for being born to parents who’s income/positions helped smooth their path in life. As long as they understand and acknowledge that they’ve had privileges which she does.
A lot of people are helped in their careers. Some people will choose a career based on an industry they are comfortable with and this is often related to what they have most exposure in growing up – i.e. Parents’ industry. There are a lot of “blah blah and son” businesses in the world. I don’t have a problem with people seizing a leg up when it’s offered to them so much as I hate the fact there aren’t more resources devoted to helping those that don’t have the contacts to deal into their industry of choice.
I don’t have a problem with people using their connections and then working hard. Honestly if I had chances and right connections probably I would use too. But connections help you only to start working, if you want to keep working that’s on you.
I have never heard of her, but I like what she is saying: she comes out with a good head on her shoulder (bravo to her parents), I really liked that she talked frankly about numbers “20% to the agent 45000 dollars in dresses and gown” my impression is: this is someone who knows the value of money, and I appreciate.
I’ve been working at a hospital now for 21yrs my mom helped me get an interview and I got the job. MY be because of my mother work ethics made me get the job and my experience but its because of myself that I have remInd. I didnt like Bryce in the Help which means she did a good job with acting her character but I’ve enjoyed her in other films as well.
*thumbs up*
She is a movie star because of her name. That stylist thing is crazy.
I wouldn’t call her a movie star. She’s a b lister and that’s stretching it. All her roles have been supporting parts.
As everyone has stated, most people got a boost through connections but i would not lump her in the Smith kid category where the parents bend over backwards to make them happen.
I think she also has an understanding of the hierarchy of behind the scenes Hollywood through her family history and growing up on various sets. Her Howard grandparents were two of Hollywood’s finest character actors who worked hard at their craft. Her Dad was one of the biggest TV child stars but used his time from his beginnings on The Andy Griffith Show onward to study the business of directing up close before heading to USC to complete his education. She came up watching the folks she loved hard at work to make a success of it.
On a side note, is it just me or does Bryce’s cover photo sort of remind you of a young Marion Ross, Ron’s TV Mom on Happy Days?
I’ve always liked her. She just goes about her life.
I think she’s radiantly beautiful and can’t take my eyes off her when she’s onscreen. As far as nepotism goes, I don’t mind her one bit.
She is very beautifuland and in an classic Hollywood sort of way. I don’t think she’s an especially interesting actress, but good on her for speaking out for actresses who can’t.
I agree she’s astonishingly beautiful but her cheeks are filled with fillers. She’s had them since the beginning of her career, and she also got a nose job then. She’s good in most role but not Jurassic – massive overacting.
Same on both counts.
She’s a pretty and talented actress, but a few years ago she was one of the guests of honor ata a gala for a patient advocacy organization, which paid her fee and costs, and she was rude and standoffish to the guests and staff the whole evening. You got paid to show up, the expectation is that you won’t be an ahole. I was really disappointed when I heard about it from my colleagues who were there.
I used to think she wasn’t a great actress until I saw her Black Mirror episode. She was incredible in it. I think she should have won an Emmy for it, it was that good.
Yes, she was so good!!
Yep! Black Mirror made me a fan. Nose Dive was a great episode.
Ive been a fan of hers for years. She was in a production of Twelfth Night many years ago and was mind-blowingly good.
I’ve always liked Bryce Dallas Howard. She seems genuine and unspoiled. And I think she’s a pretty good actress, too. Bryce was so believable in the help that I wanted to reach through my TV screen and slap her silly. Back in 2008, Bryce did an independent film called “Loss of a Teardrop Diamond” where she played a spoiled Southern debutante. The film, is notable for being the directed by a woman — Jodie Markell (who’s also an actress) and being the first movie in decades based on a Tennessee Williams play. Bryce had the lead role and her male co-star was none other than Captain America — Chris Evans. I enjoyed it and thought both Bryce and Chris Evans turned in very sensitive, nuanced performances. Although Loss of a Teardrop Diamond generally received tepid to negative reviews, I found it to be a very compelling period piece. It turns up once in a while on cable.
She was amazing in The Help. And she should have gotten more praise for her role in the film. It was just overlooked IMO. She showed that she can play the B++++ in a movie and not just the nice girl. She has talent. And unlike some that get far just from Tabloid stories and connections.
Love LOATD!!! I bought it on google play I love Bryce in it so much
She may be a nepotism kid, but I don’t mind her because she’s not an asshole.
From what I’ve read about her through the years, she’s always been about living a simple life as much as she possibly can. I like her. And yes, she was fantastic in The Help! Her character was vile, of course, but she nailed the role.
This is a minor point, but I am always confused about people–anyone, celebrity and otherwise–who say they started working that young. I couldn’t get a job at that age because it was illegal. I could babysit or do lawn work for people I knew, but not a real job with a payroll and paycheck. Are people exaggerating or are there different age requirements in different states? I wasn’t legal to work until I was 16, and my mom immediately made me get a job. Lol.
Service jobs (dishwashing, cleaning) in my area start at 14. Farm labor starts at 12. They are tightly restricted hours but it’s very common to have kids start working by 13 or 14
I was able to start working before I was 16 but I had to get “working papers” to do so. it was not uncommon here (PA).
Different laws in different states. I started babysitting at 11 and my first job-job at either 14 or 15.
I started working as a babysitter and as a (sort of) landscaper when I was 10/11. I’ve been working ever since, and am now in my 40’s.
Depends on the state. I got a work permit at age 15 in Oregon. Paperboys & papergirls tend to be even younger.
I like this interview. Bryce brings up a lot of salient points that I bet a lot of wannabe actresses don’t know & need to learn. This stuff ought to be taught in acting school.
In Florida you can start working at 14 years old but there are permits for children as young as 12 to work on farms and in groves if there’s a parent present.
I got a work permit at 14 and worked in fast food. I wasn’t allowed to use the grill or the fryer and the hours were limited, but it was legal (and, speaking of nepotism, I probably only got the spot because my mom worked there).
She has never been on my radar, but I really love this interview. She’s very open, candid, and relatable in a way that doesn’t read like an affectation.
And the managr & agent thing for actresses – that’s a new one! How interesting. I wonder if anyone will look into that.
As for working at 14 – many people can get “real” (on the books) jobs at that age or younger. P
She has never been on my radar, but I really love this interview. She’s very open, candid, and relatable in a way that doesn’t read like an affectation.
And the managr & agent thing for actresses – that’s a new one! How interesting. I wonder if anyone will look into that.
As for working at 14 – many people can get “real” (on the books) jobs at that age or younger. P
Depends where you are and what the work is. I started an after school job working in a supermarket when I was 14.
Yes, it depends on the state, and since she was 14 back in 95′ then yes I believe that she got a job at 14. Some industries allowed for 14 year old employees, with super strict maximum hours that you could work in a day and a curfew.
Bryce is amazing in one the of episodes of Black Mirror. She is truly a talented actress.
With her family money, I am amazed she didn’t turn out to be a workshy trust fund baby.
Good her for working, focusing on being a useful person.
More power to her for living her own life. And yes, as the daughter of extremely successful Ron Howard, if this is her situation…how does a “no body” even get started in Hollywood?
And having a connection to get an interview or finding a job is very commonplace in every business I know. I myself ask folks who they know when I’m looking for help, from babysitter to yard work.
I have always liked Bryce Dallas Howard as an actress but amazingly, the role I like her the best in is Jurassic World! I thought that she played a ridiculous part in just the right way, half-campy and half-serious. She and Chris Pratt both played their parts like characters who *know* that they are characters and doing impossible things, but who are having the time of their lives doing it. I never thought I’d say this but I’m really looking forward to the next Jurassic movie with them!
I see your point about her approach to JW but I think it distracted from the film, especially when Chris Pratt’s “acting” (he is so incredibly bad on a consistent basis) in thrown in the mix. Would have preferred her to stick to “realism” as she comes across as doing melodrama in the film. Otherwise a very accomplished actor.
To be frank, I no longer find complaints of nepotism in the entertainment industry to be even a somewhat worthwhile gripe as our entire political landscape is filled with men at every level who hold office because they consider politics a family business.
There should be no such thing as a political dynasty in the US yet we are holding actors and actresses up to a higher standard. I see this argument even more against actresses as apposed to actors as well.
It sounds like oh give me fresh faced actresses who really really earned their spot in that movie but I’ll take my leaders as the spoiled man children they are because they are political legacy.
Ugh 😑
Also not directing this comment at specifically anyone here I’m saying this is what I see across the board.
Yes. Nepotism in acting bothers me a lot less because what does that matter? Very few actors get total careers on nepotism.
She comes across as very likeable and sincere in interviews, and I love that she’s married to Seth Gabel. They are adorable together.
A lot of the woman who came out during the me too movement had family show biz connections. Mira Sorvino ( Paul Sorvino) , Ashely Judd, Gwenyth Paltrow (both her parents). It didnt help them.
I always mix her up with Mischa Barton, they look so much alike!
I like her and I think she’s talented but her really obvious nose job bothers me for some reason
Don’t see anything wrong with helping your kids out with a trust fund and passive income if you can afford it. The thing is how you do it, not really what you do. For example, if you’re teaching your kids that materialism, elitism, and privilege is the end-all and be-all, you’re not doing them a favour and probably creating obnoxious rich kids who don’t make the most of what they have.
On the other hand you have people like Chuck Feeney who was a duty-free-goods billionaire but he’s given away ALL of his money, leaving his kids with nothing at all. His kids were forced to work summer jobs, etc. In contrast see the privilege his business partner’s kids grew up with. There’s a middle ground and there’s no point making your kids work menial jobs forever to “learn the value of hard work” when they could be doing something else that sets them up better for the future, like going to coding camp or traveling and learning about other cultures.
You’d be surprised at how having a trust fund and guaranteed income does stifle kids though. there is something about having fallback money where they don’t want to take any risks.
Jamie johnson heir of J&J sort of addresses this.
That’s interesting, because many of the “trust fund kids” I’ve known actually take *more* risks than kids who don’t have that fall-back plan. It’s because they know that if they try a business venture and it fails, it won’t impact their long-term financial freedom. It actually makes a lot of them more successful because they’re cushioned — perpetuating the whole “rich get richer” thing.
Try: CAN’T take any risks. You’d be surprised how that stifles.
Wilder and trh, agree with you guys on the risks.
I like her personality, but lets be honest here – she would have never become famous without nepotism. she doesn’t have the looks or the talent. No, let me rephrase that – there are millions of women with better looks and talent who just don’t get opportunities she did. Not her fault, though
I have to agree. She seems lovely but she’d be a small character actor at best without her connections.
I hate it when rich people try to look normal by sharing their money problems. “$45,000 dollars for wardrobe? I _might_ not have that kind of money in the bank!” I’m guessing her credit is pretty awesome, even if she’s too proud to ask family for a loan. (And what was her net take on that project, anyway?) Finally, complaining about unexpected wardrobe is especially hard to take because actors get SO. MUCH. FREE. STUFF. So yeah. Tiny violins. Actually the worst part for her is they probably spent all that money to make her look awful. She’s beautiful but they camera does not love her and neither apparently do stylists.
That said, I saw her in NY Public Theatre’s production of As You Like It about fifteen years ago and she was DAZZLING.
As for “free stuff”, I think she raises the very interesting point that the reason the stylist had to go out and buy things was because Bryce was a size 6 and not the sample size 0-2.
There is a young star on an incredibly popular TV show who has talked about one reason she lost so much weight is because she wanted to be able to “borrow” the sample size gowns that designers will loan out.
And yeah……I don’t care HOW much money you have….you get a $45k bill you weren’t expecting and you are going to be shocked. Especially if it was American Express and maybe you didn’t have nearly 50k sitting around in your checking account for an unbudgeted or unexpected purchase.
Unless you are in the Angelina Jolie/Jennifer Lawrence category of commanding 8 figures per picture, this business can be hard to afford for the average up-and-coming actress. Sure, you’re making good money, but the more you make the more you spend. As she points out, you’re not only out agent and managers fees, but you may also be shelling out for a stylist, publicist, security, PA, travel, living, and health insurance just to name a few. And if you DON”T shell out the money, it could impact your being able to land other, larger, roles. It’s an endless cycle.
1) Always admired Ron Howard—very down-to-earth. He not only avoided all the child-actor-to-adult-success traps, he’s had an terrific directing career. Glad to hear his kids are cool. 🙂 2) Why does an actress need a manager and an actor doesn’t? 3) Did the studio charge Bryce for redcarpet clothes or movie costumes?
“2) Why does an actress need a manager and an actor doesn’t?”
Women don’t have business brains; perhaps that’s the rationale.
Wouldn’t surprise me that’s the thinking. :p What exactly does a manager do that an agent doesn’t?
I had a temp job as a kid too at a snack bar my family was involved in. It was not forced child labor, I got tips from wealthy people. I was safe. Comments like hers are completely offensive.
Children should not be FORCED to have a job. Work should be voluntary and well payed, We all need a safety net. Her rich parents need to pay more taxes.
She is terrible. People need to stop with this BS.
She was great in Nosedive, too. I like her.
I’ve always liked her and I think she’s proven herself as a good actress. She goes about her life and stays out of the limelight. I loved her in The Help–that’s my favorite book on earth, and she really nailed the nastiness of Hilly Holbrook. That was not an easy role to play.