Trendspotting: it feels like we’re in a moment where there’s a massive amount of pocket-watching of famous women, or maybe women in general. It feels connected to the larger conversations about gender politics, the “male loneliness epidemic,” the regressive policies aimed at curtaining women’s rights. Well, Scarlett Johansson recently spoke about her work-life balance and her struggle to be a present mother while also being an in-demand actress. Her comments were completely normal and nothing we haven’t heard from many other working actresses. This was Fox News’ headline: “Scarlett Johansson, who earned $43 million in 2025, says life is a constant ‘deficit’ at home.” Like… are they salary-shaming her AND mom-shaming her?

Scarlett Johansson has finally admitted that the idea of a good work-life balance does not exist. During an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Johansson shared that there is always a “deficit” somewhere in her life — despite accumulating a mass amount of success.

“I think actually admitting that there is no work-life balance is the first step to kind of getting there in a way, because it’s not possible. There’s always something that is… there’s a deficit in some area, and I think you have to be… I learned to be more kind to myself. You can’t do all of these things all the time and so, you know… there’s just like… is it good enough?” the Marvel star began.

Johansson is currently balancing a marriage with comedian Colin Jost and raising their two kids, launching a skincare brand and taking on acting roles. According to Forbes, Johansson earned $43 million in 2025 and was named the highest-paid actress of 2025. Her view of success has shifted in recent years.

“Somebody once told me, ‘If you’re successful as a parent like 75% of the time, that’s good — if you’re doing 75% of it like right, then you’re winning, which is probably true,” Johansson told “CBS Sunday Morning.”

Johansson and Jost, a comedian and writer best known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” tied the knot in October 2020. In August 2021, the couple welcomed their first son, Cosmo.

The Marvel actress was previously married to actor Ryan Reynolds from 2008 to 2011 and French journalist Romain Dauriac from 2014 to 2017. Dauriac and Johansson share an 11-year-old daughter, Rose. This is Jost’s first marriage.

[From Fox News]

As I said, ScarJo’s comments are nothing we haven’t heard before from many other women. This is a constant conversation for women – trying to show up for their kids, their husbands and their careers, and how to balance all of that, and the guilt that comes alongside of it. Bringing home the bacon, frying the bacon and serving that bacon to their families. But what is fascinating to me is how Scarlett’s comments are being framed, not just by Fox News, but other outlets too. It’s almost like there’s a mass psychosis to refuse to acknowledge that even wealthy and privileged white women struggle too.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.