Tatiana Maslany has had enough of the sexism in Hollywood. The Orphan Black star has been quietly rebelling against the system, to the point that she refuses to wax her “mustache” for a role if it is not crucial.
Tatiana Maslany is considered by many as one of the most talented actresses on television at the moment. Maslany, 29, portrays five main characters on BBC America’s hit show, Orphan Black. The critically-acclaimed Canadian science fiction television series premiered in 2013.
Maslany has become a big star, but she is still baffled by the problem of sexism in Hollywood. In a new interview with People, the Golden Globe nominee gets blunt about the things women go trough in the movie industry. The Canadian talent is fighting back to make things better.
The Two Lovers and a Bear actress started by saying that sexism is something that is in the DNA of the great American movie mecca. Maslany revealed:
“I don’t think that any woman in this industry hasn’t [experienced sexism] – I think we all have in various ways, and sometimes you can’t even tell that it’s happening because it’s so ingrained in the way things are structured.”
Maslany said that sexism is so deep that it leads to some outrageous demands from filmmakers. The Woman in Gold starlet shared some examples:
“Like being told, ‘Let’s not talk about that, sweetheart,’ if I have an issue with being hit on by a 50-year-old when I was 17 and on set. It’s never ending. Being put into this little outfit that showed my midriff in a scene where I’m supposed to be grieving the death of a family member, and it’s like, ‘Make sure that her belly button is showing’ – it’s just pathetic. It’s so pathetic.”
Maslany also recalled being asked to shave her armpits for roles, she will only say yes to requests like this if it fits the part. Otherwise, she answers no. The Toronto resident added:
“And wax my mustache, which I refused to do! I’ll do it if the part calls for it and it makes sense.”
Despite the things she went through, Maslany remains hopeful that a change is going to come as more women make their way to leading positions in the industry. She stated:
“I can’t imagine that it’s going to stay stuck like this. I hope not! People are too upset, people are too pissed off and too many strong voices are now being heard. There is a big shift happening, and I think we are at the messy puberty stages of it right now, but I hope that at some point it becomes the default that every racial group has their own stories that are being told that aren’t stereotypical.”
Fans have praised Tatiana Maslany’s bold stance against sexism in Hollywood. Her supporters also pointed out that she never said that she is against shaving in her personal life. She only stated that people in the industry should not force women to live by those beauty standards.
Few critics have pointed out that not waxing her “mustache” is simply “gross.” Those commentators say the fight for equality should address more important issues.
What do you think of Tatiana Maslany’s comment on sexism? Is it sexist to ask a woman to shave her “mustache” for a job?
.@tatianamaslany on rejecting Hollywood beauty standards: 'I refused to wax my mustache': http://t.co/hRMk7RazPo pic.twitter.com/CCOUQGXhT1
— People magazine (@people) August 14, 2015
Who are you and who cares? Don’t shave your ugly, hairy face. She’s on a little show on BBC America of all places and now thinks she’s a star and thinks people care about her opinion. What a joke.
says even greater nobody about something that just reinforces what the whole article was about. plus she/her show have been nominated for an emmy, golden globes, people’s choice, gemini award, canadian screen award, and screen actor’s guild awards.
Who is she? Probably the best actress on TV.
Spoken like a true chauvinist PIG.
Ridiculous, just an asshole being an a$$hole….Canada is full of them…
I was with you until you started bashing Canada. You’re an a$$hole.
Jim, do everyone a favor and stop commenting. Your comments are totally ignorant and unfeeling. I guess you don’t have any morals.
really!!??? who really cares??
Seriously guys, What mustache?!?!
I think that Tatiana is very brave, and smart in not shaving… I think the sexism thing has gone way too far, and thinking every woman should do that is just GROSS! I don’t EVER shave either… Tatiana I think you are very brave!
The original title I saw on Line was she refused to Wax and I thought A LA Brazilian. Then I saw comments about her being a hairy ape, etc. So the question is: Do you men want hairless vaginas like a Ten Year Old? Think about it.
Yes this is pure sexism, to ask a women to changer her appearance slightly to better fit a role is absolutely madness, right? I How many men had to get in amazing shape to fit a superhero role or an action hero role, I know right, ZERO that’s how many, right? right guys? yeah. Alright enough joking around, this is dumb, asking somebody to change appearance to fit a role is not sexist. If she doesn’t want to shave or wax then more power to her, but don’t expect male or female casting directors to hire you for a role. Though she seems to be doing alright on her show anyways. I just see this as a person who wants some attention and some gold stars next to her name.
I never heard of you, must not be an A list celeb. NO one gives a living fu3k if you shave, who wants to see a woman with mustache. canada full with a$$holes. I see now less roles given to you, stupid ass. Even if more woman given power, the trend will continue, because its all about money.