Was told I'd never work again when I refused to wear revealing clothes: Mila Kunis
The actress opened up about the blatant sexism she's had to face in the industry.
Mumbai: Launching an attack on sexism in Hollywood, actress Mila Kunis has opened up about her experience with gender bias she has faced throughout her career.
In a open letter published on A Plus, a media site co-founded by her husband Ashton Kutcher, the 33-year-old actress has penned down the bad experiences she faced in the entertainment industry during the initial stage of her career, reported Variety. Kunis recalls being told by a producer that she would "never work in this town again" after she refused to pose in a revealing outfit on the cover of a men's magazine to promote a movie.
"I was livid, I felt objectified, and for the first time in my career I said 'no' And guess what? The world didn't end. The film made a lot of money and I did work in this town again, and again, and again. What this producer may never realize is that he spoke aloud the exact fear every woman feels when confronted with gender bias in the workplace," Kunis wrote.
She goes on to say that she has endured years of being "insulted, sidelined, paid less, creatively ignored, and otherwise diminished based on my gender" while trying to "give people the benefit of the doubt" and "play by the rules."
"I'm done compromising; even more so, I'm done with being compromised. So from this point forward, when I am confronted with one of these comments, subtle or overt, I will address them head on; I will stop in the moment and do my best to educate.
"I cannot guarantee that my objections will be taken to heart, but at least now I am part of creating an environment where there is the opportunity for growth. And if my comments fall on deaf ears, I will choose to walk away," she added.
Kunis is the latest Hollywood celebrity to speak out against gender inequality in the workplace, joining the likes of Kristen Bell, Patricia Arquette, Jennifer Lawrence, Ava DuVernay, Bradley Cooper, Ethan Hawke, and more.