Rose McGowan is officially the patron saint of women in Hollywood. When journalist Owen Glieberman wrote a hyper-critical article about Renee Zellweger’s looks, Rose jumped in to defend her fellow actress. The original piece was titled “Renee Zellweger: If She No Longer Looks Like Herself Has She Become a Different Actress?” and pretty much dedicated hundreds of words to unfavourably physically comparing her to other women in Hollywood.
Rose responded with an op-ed in the Hollywood Reporter that called the journalist’s observations “vile, damaging, stupid, and cruel” and said the feature “reeks of status quo white-male privilege.” In her response — which she stresses isn’t a counterpoint because “there is no defense for the indefensible” — she writes, “Renee Zellweger is a human being, with feelings, with a life, with love and with triumphs and struggles, just like the rest of us.” Continuing, “How dare you bully a woman who has done nothing but try to entertain people like you…Her crime, according to you, is growing older in a way you don’t approve of.”
Describing herself as “I’m someone who has withstood death threats from fan boys…I’ve withstood harassment on a level you can’t comprehend” she reflects on the abuse she experienced in Hollywood and how she relates to the criticism being heaped on Renee Zellweger.
In recent years Rose McGowan has been active in shedding light on the misogynistic and damaging way the entertainment industry presents, treats and manipulates women. Last month she announced she’s writing a memoir; which her publisher explained would focus on “dismantling the concept of fame and exposing Hollywood’s systemic misogyny from the inside out.” If you ask us, it couldn’t come soon enough.
Credits
Photography Grant Lamos IV for Getty Images