Olivia Wilde On Hollywood Sexism and Press Drama: ‘I Feel Motivated to Keep Fighting Through the Hellfire’

Olivia Wilde would be the first to say her journey to becoming one of Hollywood’s leading actresses and female directors has been far different from any man’s. The Women in Hollywood nominee spoke at ELLE’s Getty Center celebration about just that: “the burning hellfire of the misogyny that defines this business.”

Her remarks came after Don’t Worry Darling co-star Kate Berlant introduced her, noting how Wilde’s filmmaking style stands out in what is still a very male-dominated industry. “We need more voices like Olivia Wilde’s in Hollywood,” Berlant said. “She’s an artist and a visionary. And the women in her movies actually drive the action. They’re not just window dressing for men’s desires.”

Although Wilde only playfully alluded to the drama surrounding her film, she nevertheless used it as a jumping-off point, joking, “You are not a woman in Hollywood until you’ve begged to be placed into a medically induced coma until your press tour is finished.”

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Read Wilde’s full speech below:

Wow. I’ve learned so much from all of you tonight—mostly that there are apparently other covers with other women on them. Which is a real curveball. I was so honored and, frankly, shocked that you all showed up for my cover party, but this makes more sense. It tracks; it’s fine.

I’ve known some of you for a really, really long time, I believe it’s been 20 minutes. Some of you I could’ve even met when I was a casting assistant; I was the one who over-served you coffee for three hours and then told you we had no bathroom or parking validation. Sorry about that. You were great; we just went another direction. So, for those of you I’ve known forever, hi again. Still me. For those of you I haven’t met yet, it’s a pleasure. I am Olivia, member of the Sigourney sisterhood. I was an actress who started producing and then finally got the courage to start directing, and I wouldn’t have started any of it at all if I knew Twitter would be invented. But here I am. It’s a real thrill to have what is undeniably the greatest job on the planet.

I’m here tonight because the wonderful Nina Garcia did me the honor of adding me to a truly extraordinary list of women who have not only inspired me forever—forever—but who forged the very shape of this industry through their hard work, bold choices, and resilience. I am gobsmacked by this moment. I am deeply grateful for the support that it represents. These opportunities like tonight, to gather as women, are crucial. They’re extremely impactful. They offer us a chance to look into each other’s eyes and say, ‘Keep going.’ Because, let’s face it, it’s not always easy to keep going. In fact, sometimes it’s tempting to excuse ourselves from the burning hellfire of the misogyny that defines this business and say, ‘Good night, good luck, I’d rather eat glass for a living.’

But we won’t let each other give up. Recently, I’ve had several opportunities to personally experience this power of encouragement from other women in this business. It often takes the form of a tight grip of your shoulders and an intense stare into your eyes and a defiant ‘Do not let them fuck with you.’ And it’s always really tempting to reply, ‘Well, if I didn’t know things were bad before, I do now.’ Just kidding; it’s always very much appreciated.

But, you know, these moments are profound. Because they’re maybe our most honest acknowledgement of a constant battle we are all fighting, in which we are allies. Relying on each other not to fall back and stop advancing because we are up against a seriously massive force of opposition that has, for centuries, tried to rein us in. If one of us steps back, we all step back.

So, no matter how much the patriarchy relies on us to cut each other down in order to weaken our collective power, we have to resist the urge to play by their self-serving rules. Remind the world and specifically our daughters that we aren’t so easily manipulated. So this evening, here tonight, thanks to Nina and to everyone at ELLE, this is one of those moments. I feel energized by you all, and I feel motivated to keep fighting through the hellfire. In some ways, the challenges are all a part of it, right? Real badges of honor, par for the course. Let’s face it: You are not a woman in Hollywood until you’ve begged to be placed into a medically induced coma until your press tour is finished. Until then, you are just a woman residing in or around the Hollywood area.

I love my life. I love my job. What more could I ask for except to be the only cover, but that’s another conversation I’ll have with Nina privately. Thank you so much. I’m deeply honored.