Kunis: “If this is happening to me, it’s happening to women everywhere.”
“‘You’ll never work in this town again.’ A classic line, but that’s what a producer told me when I declined to pose semi-naked on the cover of a men’s magazine to promote our film.” This powerful statement kicks off an open letter penned by actress Mila Kunis, in which she calls out the pervasive sexism she encounters in Hollywood and pledges to fight against it.
In her letter, titled “You’ll Never Work In This Town Again,” originally shared on Medium, she takes aim at an unnamed male producer who issued the threat after Kunis refused the objectifying photo shoot. “What this producer may not realize is that he voiced the very fear that every woman grapples with when facing gender bias in the workplace,” Kunis writes.
She’s spot on. The obstacles and biases women face are well documented and hinder our progress in various fields. We lag behind in leadership positions across nearly every industry—not due to a lack of ambition, effort, or drive. A 2016 Women in the Workplace study by LeanIn.org and McKinsey revealed that women receive promotions less often than men, even though both genders seek advancement at similar rates. Women who negotiate in the workplace are 30% more likely to receive negative feedback, being labeled as “intimidating,” “too aggressive,” or even “bossy.”
Kunis voiced these frustrations, stating, “We don’t want to be ostracized for being a ‘bitch.’ So we sacrifice our integrity to keep the status quo, all while hoping for change.”
How often have we felt compelled to say “yes” to something uncomfortable at work just to avoid being labeled “difficult” or “dramatic”? How many times have we held back from confronting gender discrimination to keep our jobs and provide for our families?
Continuing her tirade against Hollywood’s relentless sexism, Kunis criticized the industry for undervaluing her contributions and for dismissing her creative ideas. “While pitching a show to a major network, the typical follow-up emails were circulated,” she recalls. “One producer sent an email that said, ‘And Mila is a mega star. One of the biggest actors in Hollywood, and soon to be [insert common male name]’s wife and baby momma!!!’”
“This was the entirety of his email,” she noted. “Ignoring factual inaccuracies, he reduced my worth to merely my relationship with a successful man and my capacity to have children, neglecting my substantial creative input.”
Why is it that women struggle to get credit for their achievements outside the roles of wife or mother? We’re not defined solely by our marital status or parental capabilities. Beyond being someone’s partner or parent, we have our own ambitions, skills, and intellect. Kunis’s extensive success stems from her own talent and hard work, yet it is often viewed through the narrow lens of wife and mother.
Frustrated, she eventually launched her own production company, Orchard Farm Productions, where she ensures both men and women on her team are dedicated to creating projects that showcase diverse perspectives and promote equality. “I’m done compromising; I’m even more done with being compromised,” Kunis asserts. “From now on, when faced with comments—subtle or overt—I will confront them directly; I will pause and do my best to educate.”
She committed to tackling these injustices head-on. “I can’t promise that my objections will resonate, but I’m now part of fostering an environment where growth is possible,” she explains. “And if my words fall on deaf ears, I’ll simply choose to walk away.”
She concludes her letter with a powerful statement: “I will work in this town again, but I will not work with you.”
In a world where gender biases persist, Kunis’s words serve as a rallying cry for women everywhere. For those interested in exploring more about home insemination, you can find useful information at this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, Mila Kunis’s open letter robustly criticizes the sexism present in Hollywood, highlighting her experiences with a male producer who attempted to undermine her worth. She emphasizes the importance of standing up against gender bias and making space for women’s contributions in the industry.