Olivia Munn, the acclaimed 44-year-old actress, has opened up about a troubling experience with a director that she claims nearly derailed her career. During an appearance on Dax Shepard’s Armchair Expert podcast on Monday, June 30, Munn shared that a director attempted to “ruin [her] chances of getting” future roles.
While Munn did not disclose the director’s name, she revealed that the incident occurred on the set of The Newsroom. “There was a storyline where my character and Tom Sadoski’s character are dating and falling in love,” Munn recounted. “[The director] kept trying to force me to carry that storyline only on my side. He’s like, ‘Can you look out at him and smile?’ And I’m like, ‘Why she’s busy doing this?’ Or, ‘Can you stop and snuggle up to him or flirt with him?’ Or, ‘Can you give him a kiss?’ And I’m like, ‘This is in the middle of working.’”
The Director’s Alleged Sabotage
Munn further explained that the director later described her as “combative” to others in the industry. She was auditioning for another role when she learned about the director’s damaging remarks. “I was on the one-yard-line for the movie and my manager calls me and says, ‘Hey, you’re gonna get the role. But first, I guess there’s another director who they know and he says that on The Newsroom you were late all the time and really combative,’” Munn said. “I lived seven minutes from there. I was never late. I was like, ‘I know who this is.’ He just was trying to bash me.”
Industry Challenges and Gender Dynamics
This revelation by Munn highlights the broader challenges women face in Hollywood, where power dynamics can often lead to professional sabotage. According to a 2020 report by the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film, women comprised only 21% of all directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 100 grossing films.
“The film industry has long been criticized for its gender imbalance, and stories like Munn’s underscore the need for systemic change,” said Dr. Martha Lauzen, Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film.
The entertainment industry has been under scrutiny for its treatment of women, especially in the wake of the #MeToo movement, which brought to light numerous cases of harassment and discrimination.
Implications for Munn and the Industry
Despite the director’s attempts to tarnish her reputation, Munn was ultimately successful in securing the role she auditioned for. “I told my reps, ‘Please tell the directors this.’ And then I still got the role. But I will always remember that just because of our conflicts of how we approached a role, he wanted to ruin my chances of getting anything else,” she revealed.
Her story serves as a cautionary tale and a call to action for the industry to address and rectify the power imbalances that can lead to such professional sabotage. The ongoing dialogue about gender dynamics in Hollywood continues to gain momentum, with many advocating for more equitable treatment and opportunities for women.
Looking Forward
As the industry grapples with these issues, Munn’s experience underscores the importance of transparency and accountability. It also highlights the resilience required to navigate a career in Hollywood, where personal and professional challenges often intersect.
While Munn has moved past this particular incident, her willingness to speak out contributes to the broader conversation about creating a more inclusive and fair industry. As she continues her career, her story remains a powerful reminder of the need for change.
About The Author
