Cate Blanchett has shed light on the evolution of ageism and sexism in Hollywood since the inception of her acting journey. In a recent conversation with Business Insider, the double Oscar-winner revealed, "When I first entered the scene, the shelf life for actresses was approximately five years." Blanchett, now 55, made her cinematic debut in the 1990s and has since compiled an impressive resume spanning numerous projects, complemented by two Academy Awards – one for Best Supporting Actress in 'The Aviator' and another for Best Actress in 'Blue Jasmine.'
Nowadays, the star of 'Black Bag' believes that "female producers wield greater influence. There's a notable presence of women in writers' rooms, and the more diverse the industry is at its foundational level, the more intriguing it becomes for audiences when content is developed." While acknowledging that "ageism and sexism persist in every industry," Blanchett explained that Hollywood stands out due to its public-facing nature.
Blanchett joins a distinguished group of women who have fearlessly spoken out against ageism and sexism in Hollywood over the years, including Glenn Close, Niecy Nash, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Kirsten Dunst, among others. Last year, Dunst, who starred in Alex Garland's 'Ex Machina' (sic, possibly a reference error intended for another film as 'Civil War' doesn't fit this context), confessed to taking a two-year hiatus from acting after being offered only roles of "the sad mom." She further commented, "There are undoubtedly fewer quality roles for women my age."
Earlier this month, Blanchett made headlines again when she suggested on the 'Las Culturistas' podcast with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang that awards shows like the Oscars should revert to a time "when they weren't televised." She elaborated, "Bring back those days and transform it into a fantastic gathering where people can truly let loose." She continued, "The industry is so fragmented and at a critical juncture…which could potentially be exhilarating or deeply discouraging. But it's at a turning point, so we must come together and celebrate our craft without the pressure of a public audience."
