Cate Blanchett, the two-time Oscar winner, spoke about her experiences with gender and sexuality in a recent profile for Vanity Fair. Blanchett, who has played lesbian characters in “Carol” and “Lydia Tár,” was asked about her thoughts on taking on such roles and the controversy surrounding it.
Blanchett expressed that she doesn’t think about her gender or sexuality when choosing roles, instead, she focuses on the character and the story. However, she acknowledged the importance of understanding the issues behind the “obsession with labels” in the entertainment industry. She said, “I have to really listen very hard when people have an issue with it. I just don’t understand the language they’re speaking, and I need to understand it because you can’t dismiss the obsession with those labels — behind the obsession is something really important.”
The actor also touched upon the recent controversy surrounding Scarlett Johansson playing a Japanese character in “Ghost in the Shell” and stepping down from a role as a transgender man after facing backlash. Blanchett stated that opinions on such matters are more publicly discussed now than they were 25 years ago and expressed her desire not to offend anyone.
In conclusion, Blanchett’s comments on gender and sexuality in the entertainment industry shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding representation and the importance of understanding the issues behind the obsession with labels. She also highlighted the need for greater sensitivity and awareness in casting decisions.
