Watch: Rose McGowan Battles Hollywood Sexism on ‘Good Morning America’
Zack Sharf
Earlier this week, Indiewire sat down with Rose McGowan to talk about her directorial debut, “Dawn.” During the interview, the actress-turned-filmmaker took a rightful stab at Hollywood when talking about why she assembles crews from the music video/commerical world and not the film industry.
“I do that because I have to surround myself with people who aren’t going to be old school and jock your ego,” she explained. “They’re a lot more used to being with women too. It’s just not even a thought. It’s not ‘Oh, I’m working with a woman’ but ‘Oh hey, you’re my co-worker.’ It’s not this stodgy, old-school way of thinking.”
READ MORE: Why Is Hollywood So Sexist?
Yesterday, McGowan’s battle against Hollywood exploded after she was fired by her casting agency, Innovative Artists, due to a tweet she released that shed a light on the disturbing reality women face in the Hollywood system. McGowan tweeted a casting note from an alleged Adam Sandler movie that read: “Wardrobe Note: Black (or dark) form fitting tank that shows off cleavage (push up bras encouraged). And form fitting leggings or jeans. Nothing white.”
With Hollywood abuzz and McGowan eager to speak out, the actress-turned-filmmaker joined “Good Morning America” reporter Paula Faris to comment on the scandal. Here are the highlights from McGowan’s interview:
Why she’s speaking out:
“The only way to stop it is to shine a light on it and reveal how ugly it is…I just want to make it better for the next girl coming after me — to know she doesn’t have to sell her body and soul just because she wants to be a creative person. That isn’t the fine you pay at the gate, and it shouldn’t be.”
Her reaction to getting the casting note:
“It made me laugh and it made me sad. It made me really said — like really? Still?”
How she describes Hollywood:
“Old-fashioned — we’re the ones who are supposed to be at the forefront of making society and change happen.”
How she responded to being fired by her casting agency:
“I wrote back to them, ‘You’re hilarious.’ That was my response. Like, come on! Hollywood, get a better script. This is so predictable.”
Whether or not she is concerned about being blacklisted for her comments:
“I don’t care. Bring it. You want to play, let’s play.”
McGowan’s advice to women entering the business:
“Know your worth, and know that it’s not OK to be treated like a piece of meat.”
McGowan’s short film “Dawn” is now streaming on YouTube for free. Watch the GMA interview below:
READ MORE: YouTube to Release Rose McGowan’s Directorial Debut ‘Dawn’
