Julia Roberts Calls Age‑Discrimination “Bull‑shit” and Says She’s Still Got the Magic
Age Isn’t a Deadline
When the ever‑glamorous, 50‑year‑old Julia Roberts let the world know she thinks Hollywood’s fear of older actresses is made‑up bulls‑shit, she didn’t hold back. “You know that thing where they say you’re done once you hit a certain age? That’s silly,” she said. “The idea that the bell will ring and you’re out is just a myth.” And while she’s enjoyed a lucrative run that’s spanned three decades, she refuses to feel like a one‑off gem. “I’ve always been lucky, and I’ve always found work,” she laughed.
Gender‑Pay Gap Gets a Little Less Bad
- Roberts points out that the gender‑pay gap is still on the map, but she sees light at the end of the tunnel.
- She cited examples that feel like a bright future: the World Surfing League handing out equal pay to male and female surfers, and Manchester United launching its women’s team.
- “If we’re only a little farther out there, we can celebrate it,” she noted, signalling that progress is a marathon, not a sprint.
Shocked by the Rising Voices of Abuse Survivors
When Olivia’s talkabout how many actresses are stepping forward to say they’ve faced sexual abuse in Hollywood, she shared her personal relief that I’ve never been in that situation.
Yet her reaction was clear: “The stories coming out are shocking. The scope of it was surprising.” A sobering reminder that even star‑strewn screens still hide harsh realities.
What Julia’s Taking Home
What’s more, Roberts’ message is simple: Age is a number, not a limit; progress towards equality is real; and the industry needs to listen when the powerful are saying, ‘we’ve got something to fix.’ She leaves us with a hope that the next chapter of Hollywood is less about ticking boxes and more about giving talent the screen time it deserves.
