Key Takeaways:
– Acclaimed actress Carrie Fisher was frustrated with Hollywood’s persistent focus on ideal female physiques.
– Fisher was asked to lose weight for her reprised role as Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
– The actress challenged Hollywood’s age and appearance-driven requirements for actors, specifically women.
– She also expressed initial doubts about the success of the first Star Wars film.
The Return Of Princess Leia And The Weight-Loss Demand
Famed American actress Carrie Fisher was a pivotal part of the original Star Wars trilogy, renowned for her role as Princess Leia, the female leader of the Rebel Alliance. Returning to reprise her character in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, launched in 2015, Fisher was faced with a demeaning request from the studio: to shed weight to reenact her iconic character. This expectation left the actress livid, as she criticized the Hollywood industry for its continued obsession with lean and attractive feminine bodies.
The actress voiced her rage in an interview with Good Housekeeping, condemning the demand to lose weight despite her significant age difference from her first portrayal of Princess Leia. This disapproval of Hollywood’s problematic perception towards actors’ appearances was underlined by her comments stating, “They don’t want to hire all of me – only about three-quarters”.
Fisher vs Hollywood’s Appearance-Obsessed Culture
Fisher critiqued the movie industry’s unchanging focus on appearance, highlighting the exploitative nature of Hollywood’s criteria. According to Fisher, the industry demonstrated a discriminatory attitude that only valued actors for their weight and outward appearance. The actress poignantly challenged this notion stating, “They might as well say get younger because that’s how easy it is”.
Her stance against these widely prevalent practices comes as a beacon of protest against the constant pressure put on actresses by the industry. An enduring issue that has cast its shadow over Hollywood since its inception. Though trends have modulated over time, the industry’s fascination for the ‘ideal’ female physique remains prevalent, fueling the need for a broader conversation regarding body acceptance.
Recalling Memories From the First Star Wars Film
Fisher’s portrayal of Princess Leia wasn’t exclusively marked by defiance against Hollywood’s body-normatives. The actress had doubts about the success of the inaugural Star Wars movie released in 1977. Voiced in her friend Griffin Dunne’s memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club: A Family Memoir, Fisher’s lack of confidence in the film was clearly put forth as she described her hairdo, acting in front of green screens, and shooting scenes with non-existent elements as reasons for her pessimism.
Despite her apprehension, the first Star Wars film proved to be a turning point in the sci-fi genre, earning recognition as one of the most acclaimed films ever. Fisher’s role became synonymous with her, leading to the reprisal of Princess Leia on several occasions.
Fans can watch Fisher’s transformational performance in the Star Wars series on Disney+. Through her tenacity and courage in questioning industry norms, Fisher not only left an indelible mark in her roles but also strengthened the discourse against the discriminatory practices in the film industry.
