Amber Heard is currently plugging her new movie, When I Live My Life Over Again, which features her as a punk rock singer (alongside Christopher Walken). I guess she and Johnny Depp are perfectly fine now. They’ve always had a strange relationship (even before it officially began), so this is really no different from the usual weirdness. Maybe they’ll soon make a hundred babies like Johnny once boasted. Johnny is 51 now, but maybe he has the energy to deal with diapers.
Amber has a new interview with E! Online to talk about women in Hollywood. She says this punk-rock role is a well-rounded one, unlike most parts. I can’t judge because I haven’t watched all of Amber’s filmography (only Syrup, All of the Boys Love Mandy Lane, The Rum Diary, and some horror remake). She played tough-yet-sexy in all of those movies. Hollywood promotes that conceit. If you’re a tough woman, you also have to flash some flesh. Amber always wanted to be the next Jolie, so she gravitated towards films where she played “hot girl with triceps wearing a tank top.” Now Amber talks about being frustrated with her decade-long run in Hollywood, which hasn’t led to more substantial roles:
On finding less sexy roles: “It’s been what I’ve fought for since the first day on the scene. Superficial is far less interesting primarily because it’s the result of things that are out of my control, so it’s independent of one’s character and how one looks. It can help define one’s character but looks in and of themselves are not the result of any hard work, bravery, substance, etc. I fought really hard to find roles that weren’t defined by their sexuality.”
You can’t be taken seriously if you’re sexy: “I’ve been in this business for 12 years or something and it’s incredibly frustrating to be able to just now be trusted or given roles like this because this industry’s very hard on women, because you’re constantly asked to choose between one of two archetypes: sexy or not. And within the ‘not,’ you perhaps can acquire for yourself a few different traits, but they’re going to be severely limited. The story’s not going to be about you. In the former, it’s completely unfulfilling work to undergo and it’s not fulfilling for an audience to watch. It’s incredible frustrating that a system is in place where you have to choose one or the other. I should not have to choose to be taken seriously or to be beautiful. I finally get to do a role without any of that sh*t, it’s about a character and her issues and her problems and her journey.”
The industry’s problem: “I try to find ways to make my characters stronger, independent. I’ve always chosen strong women, smart women, I’ve always chosen to protect myself as best I can, but the really f***ed up thing is that nobody has any incentive in this industry to invest in something other than what can be seen in you or what’s the easiest thing to do.”
[From E! Online
I do feel for Amber because she describes the plight of many actresses. She nabs the “sexy sidekick” or “object of desire” roles. Victory is bittersweet. Amber recently entered her late 20s, and she’s finally been named a rising star. She’s still appearing alongside 60-year-old “action dudes” like Kevin Costner. Leading men and younger love interests are completely typical of Hollywood standards. Amber has room to complain about those silly stereotypes. At the same time … she needs to realize how she reinforces those standards in real life by marrying a decades-older guy like Johnny Depp.
Amber also previously complained about superficiality as she posed for a sex-ay shoot. Amber’s a little shortsighted, but perhaps she’s taking after a certain someone who whined about how actor-musicians make him “sick“ as he formed a rock supergroup with Alice Cooper and Joe Perry.
Photos courtesy of Pacific Coast News & WENN
So, Amber, it’s really “incredibly frustrating and unfulfilling to play sexy roles”, is it? How unfortunate for you (sarcasm). Just be grateful you’re working. Maybe if you were a better actress (stage training perhaps?) and didn’t coast on your looks, you might get some of these others roles you aspire to.
I went to college with someone who aspired to be an actor-writer and when I saw him on TV years laters, I said “Oh, thank God. Gerry’s working!”. I think Amber should be a bit more appreciative of the success that she has had. A lot of people want to “make it big” in Hollywood but not many of them do. I’m glad she’s done so well but complaining about not getting “serious” roles seems a bit much.
This all day
Just be grateful you’re working!? Really? Don’t try to change things. Either refuse the roles that are available and give up on acting OR stfu? Sorry, but all the freaking no.
If amber had talent and range then I would agree. That is not the case here. She’s speaking in broad terms, but at the certain her argument is clear. Give ME better roles that aren’t just sexpots. I am pigeonholed into these parts.
She’s not trying to change things for everyone. Speaking like that ensures your words carry further. Her actions in her whole career speak against her thinking big picture. Very much unlike numerous actresses that walk the walk.
context and desires are key in how this is translated. Without those anyone can take anything and twist the meaning to make it offensive or outrageous.
I agree, Nicole.
exactly, what she does not understand is that the only reason she is there is because of her looks. she isnt there based on talent. sure it sucks when you want to play deep roles but that would never be possible for her anyway. do you think Zac Efron will ever be a respected actor? he was only on the radar because of teenage girls being sexually attracted to him. so his looks dont keep him from being respected, they were the only thing making it possible to be an actor. just like Amber.
Scarlett Johansson managed it – started off playing the young object of desire but still managed to be something other than ‘sexy’ in those roles, especially Lost In Translation/Girl with the Pearl Earring.
I hear Amber on the subject of ‘sexy’ being limiting and annoying especially as she ages, but it’s not impossible to bring more than sexy to a role if you have the talent.
I respectfully disagree about your assessment of Scarlett Johannson’s career trajectory. She was in The Horse Whisperer alongside Robert Redford. It was a well-regarded role and she earned several acting nominations for it but I think she was about 13 when she filmed it. So from the start, as a child actor, Scarlett was seen as talented; “the object of desire” came later.
Amen!!
Her teeth are annoying.
Strangers on the internet nitpicking actress’s facial features because they have unbelievably high beauty expectations: also annoying.
I don’t have unbelievably high beauty expectations I just find her mouth annoying, the topic of beauty isn’t even related to my post. Please keep your complexes to yourself.
Oh, it was her teeth’s political opinions you were objecting to? My mistake. Lol
I know what you mean Bea. She is obviously a very conventionally pretty woman with an almost perfect set of teeth but her whole look and demeanor changes when she smiles….her teeth become almost TOO much and they take over her whole face. She looks annoyingly ingratiating and beauty queen contestant -like when she smiles.
Her teeth are quite lovely…it’s her attitude that’s annoying.
+1 Jaded
Just some words …”take example on Charlize Theron”
I don’t like Charlize but yes, she is a great example. But Charlize is probably a woman of substance and really smart, whereas Amber…
Charlize is more beautiful than anyone and she proves you can be taken seriously as a talent and still be gorgeous and glamorous.
Johnny was part of bands before he even started acting. He’s always been a musician. It’s sad that many took that quote out of context for the sake of snark and didn’t try to get what he actually meant.
Wait 10 years when she’ll be playing the hot girls mom. I bet that’ll be even more annoying.
I can see you smirking from here, dear.
@NIcole haha 😉
LOL! I give it 10 years…
It’s much worse to be ugly and not getting roles at all. For hollywood standards most actresses are really good looking but some carry themselves differently, in ways that won’t reinforce or convey the roles they don’t want to play. But when Amber is being herself she tries to sell her image like the sexy “salacious” girl, so… I wouldn’t cast her for something else because I don’t see it and she isn’t helping. People complain a lot without considering what they are doing wrong.
Right? All the acclaim is not going to ugly actresses. Jessica Alba used to complain about pigeonholed into sexy but she, like Amber, played into it, she was always posing in underwear/ bikini.
Amber likes being a sexpot but just wants to an Angelina type sexpot, a respected one.
All this talk of the problem with roles for women in Hollywood while true comes across as a bit phony sometimes. There are plenty of things wrong with Hollywood and but this has become the safe thing for actresses to complain about (to low key push that despite being in one of the most superficial industries in the modern world, that they do in fact have “integrity” and it’s not about Vogue covers, fame or money but “art”), rarely having the nerve to say anything really thought provoking about it or even naming names/being specific.
I can understand why she took the route she did, it’s easier for one, but then you know what you’re getting into….
Charlize Theron, Keira Knightley, Emma Stone, Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, Eva Green… Great actresses that are beautiful as well. Just try to keep up, Amber, if you can.
touché
So deep. Much misunderstood. Such Gilbert Grape.
lol!
So, she took the role in The Playboy Club because it was fulfilling and emotionally satisfying?
i was just thinking the same. it obviously had depths that we cannot understand. her role must have been a lot deeper than we see.
I don’t mind what she says. She’s physically attractive, and there aren’t many substantive roles for pretty women. I think she may have been expecting too much too soon as far as being “taken seriously” goes. I’m not sure she has earned those stripes.
This is a girl who very happily sold herself as a gun-and-muscle-car-loving-bisexual. Playing into that male fantasy has been very much a part of her marketing plan, but as we can see its one that will only take you so far.
This all day! She should have improved her acting skills. Especially before demanding a bigger trailer than gary oldman. entitlement pure and simple.
The little I know about her is that image she projected when she started getting film roles. If that’s the way you want to get a start in the business, that’s fine, but it is going to be harder down the line to transition to more substantial roles. Especially if you aren’t hugely talented.
The plight of the white, blond, slim, beautiful twenty something actress. So much heartbreak. Have you heard of this little thing called theatre, Amber? Been going on for millennia? Give it a try. Build a resume, prove your acting chops… Or lose the long blond hair, put on forty pounds and get acting roles based on your ability as opposed to looks. It can be done. It is so hypocritical to sit there complaining when the only roles you get are based on your looks and you just married a millionaire actor old enough to be your dad, again based on your looks ( we all know JD has a pattern….)
thank you, good post. she does not realize that her looks are actually a huge perk. with a downside, but would she want it to be the reverse?
i reminds me of Rob Lowe talking about how beautiful people are discriminated LOL. quite the opposite. if you are good looking people assume you are a better person (more intelligent, more trustworthy, more moral, seen as funnier etc), you make more money, you are way less likely to go to jail and have way better chances on the partner market.
The comments about theatre really make me smirk considering Scarlett Johansson, Hollywood’s chief blond bombshell, went on Broadway for two well-received turns.
(and has now chopped off her long blond hair, too)
TRUTH!
Just yesterday, I saw her act and heard her voice for the first time (that I remember) and I was shocked at how bad she was and how much her voice doesn’t go with her looks. She has this old Hollywood, classic beauty face and super annoying, spoiled-teenage-girl-with-blocked-sinuses voice. If she wasn’t so pretty, no one would ever hire her. She should be grateful for any role she’s given.
Rad screen name BTW.
Perhaps she’s not getting more substantive roles because directors don’t think she has the talent and range to tackle those roles??
Oh, Amber…if only you had any talent (besides walking behind Johnny Depp — let’s face it: she’s very good at that).
At least, she’s still working and not living only from the fortune of her husband, as many other would do married with a man as rich as Johnny
And oh. her marriage seems to be all fine or at least they have been seen hand in hand and all smiles (and kissing inside the shop, according to onlookers) shopping for antiques in Queensland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKag6ICSm2s
Well, yes. At leat she’s not living off of her husbands wealth. That doesn’t mean she should get any role. She still should earn that role. It’s no secret all her career has been since Depp and her went public is because of him and his connections.
So, is one all that better than the other? Getting a job because of your husband and not because of your credit/talent or just not working and living off your husband?
Neither seems to have the moral high ground to me.
I have never had much sympathy for Heard, I have always had the impression she is quite manipulative and opportunistic. But I also she think is a hard worker and VERY ambitious. Living off her husband’s wealth wouldn’t even cross her mind I think. Having a very rich husband puts her at an enormous advantage compared to many other actresses though: it allows her to be selective about the projects she works on. She doesn’t have to be in stupid movies just to pay the rent (anymore). Instead she does some personal appearances for prestigious brands like De Grisogono Jewellery and Tiffany & Co. every once in a while, which give her visibility and extra income. So I don’t think she is in a position to complain about anything.
lol really random thought but as soon as I read she was in a movie with Kevin Costner I was like…”damn he is much more hot than Johnny Depp” Personally if I were beautiful like Amber I would be all over that instead of Depp that is of course of Costner wasn’t married 🙁
There was a BI that Amber got with Costner during that filming.
I saw it on Netlfix. I think there was suppose to be some allure between him and Heard’s characters, but it was awful.
Do you remember the name of the movie? I will search it out on Canadian Netflix. I don’t think Amber is a good actor but Kevin Costner is so yummy that (he’s old enough to be my father but I don’t care) I will watch anything with him in it.
Then become a better actress. And stop taking those “sexy girl” roles.
I find it weird when beautiful people say they’re not taken seriously or that they have to make a choice between being seen as beautiful or skilled. Most beautiful people I’ve seen are taken seriously. Maybe the limit is acting like Pamela Anderson or her male equivalent (I’m blanking on a name), but barring that, I don’t think there’s an automatic assumption that beautiful people are just to be appreciated for their beauty. As long as you don’t say something wilfully stupid, beautiful people are taken seriously (i.e Natalie Portman), and if they’re smart or witty like Emma Stone, Emma Watson, or Keira Knightley, they get taken even MORE seriously and everybody marvels at how such a miracle was created.
I dont know how the interviewers listen to such tales of plight from these overpriveleged actors, and actually take them seriously. If it were me, I could never resist the urge to to lean in, cup her hand in mine as a caring therapist would, and say gently, “I cant imagine how difficult this must be for you.”
But Im a smartass.
Here’s another FORGETTABLE actress claiming she has the skills to take on meaty, Oscar caliber roles. Can anyone name a movie she’s been in that has received critical acclaim? Can anyone bring up a performance that made her? No because she can’t act.
There are plenty of beautiful actresses who have played a huge range of roles and have proven themselves with their lengthy filmography. Amy Adams was awesome in American Hustle and her character can be seen as “sexy” but she was also layered, complex, and a wicked con artist. Do you think Amber Heard can command like that? She’s the female equivalent to Liam Hemsworth and all those other cuties that’ll never leave action roles.
She starred in a stupid movie with Liam Hemsworth. Her role was totally forgettable. I just keep thinking about this movie when reading this interview and say to myself “well, if you had any talent then maybe you’d break through.” So many of these young starlets are attractive but of limited talent and instead of working on their acting they attend endless parties and openings to keep their names in the papers and make some money. One blog calls them “mocktress”. If she didn’t have Johnny she’d have to work the party circuit too as a mocktress.
She’s aging so beautiful. I love that you can see her expression lines in her forehead and eyes. Gorgeous. Wish she got more roles.
Uh…I. Heard they have an opening at McDonalds..
I only remember her from Pineapple Express. I think she played the role of hot jail bait girlfriend. I tried to sit through Rum Diaries but couldn’t.
She thinks she’s so deep and intelligent and Johnny Depp has been duped into thinking she is too. They are both poseurs.
All it takes is talent. Jessica Lange got her start on “King Kong”. Needless to say, the movie wasn’t taken seriously, and she wasn’t either – she was seen as just another leggy blonde; all looks, no substance. She was saddened by the reviews she got, but instead of being defeated or accepting being typecast, she got back to acting class, worked on herself, and not too long afterwards started getting meaty parts in serious, meaty movies.
NOT COMPARING the two, of course, but what I’m saying is — someone with actual talent and work ethic can overcome a faulty career beginning/typecasting and make something of themselves if they want it enough.