Cameron Diaz is reflecting on the profound transformation Hollywood has undergone for women since the advent of the #MeToo movement. During an appearance on Netflix's 'Skip Intro' podcast, the iconic 'Back in Action' actress, who is returning to the silver screen after a decade-long hiatus, shared her insights, highlighting how the industry now offers a greater sense of "security and safety" compared to her earlier years in the profession.
"The landscape has shifted dramatically," she told host Krista Smith in the January 17th episode. "The #MeToo movement has truly revolutionized everything. It's tangible. You step onto a set now, and it's a world apart."
Diaz, renowned for her role in 'Charlie's Angels,' elaborated, "It wasn't just the higher-ups creating an uncomfortable environment. There was often that one individual on set who made you think, 'Oh no, here we go again.'" She recounted instances where layers of inappropriate behavior were rampant, which she and fellow actresses had to brush off with forced laughter.
"With some, you had to be firm and establish clear boundaries. With others, you simply couldn't waste a moment of your time," she shared. "But the tide has turned. It's a new era."
Recalling her breakthrough role in 'The Mask' in 1994, Diaz added, "Throughout my career, I've never experienced Human Resources stepping in before a film to discuss appropriate versus inappropriate conduct, nor have I known of a confidential hotline like the one Netflix provides. I was blown away. It's incredible."
Speaking of 'Back in Action,' her first film since the 2014 'Annie' remake, Diaz said, "The level of security and safety I feel as a woman on set now is unprecedented. I hadn't encountered this before. The #MeToo movement gained momentum years after I stepped away from movies."
Furthermore, Diaz noted that her generation of Hollywood women were "so accustomed to walking a tightrope." "And tightropes are perilous," she continued. "When you master walking that tightrope, there's a sense of empowerment. But it's a false empowerment, because you're merely warding off the inevitable—something bigger than you could crush you at any moment."
"That's not genuine safety," she emphasized. "It's about doing your utmost, pushing the power within us as women to withstand as much as possible. But now, we find ourselves on a more equitable playing field than ever before. It feels different. And that's incredibly significant. That's truly empowering."
'Back in Action' is now available for streaming on Netflix.
