- America Ferrera is speaking out
- She is slamming critics of her 'Barbie' monologue
- THIS is how she feels inside
America Ferrera, 38, is hitting back at critics with a powerful message: Feminism is for everyone! The star's recent portrayal in the blockbuster hit 'Barbie' has sparked conversation and controversy, but Ferrera is not here for the naysayers. Her famous monologue in which her character, "Gloria" passionately rails against double standards women face on a daily basis.
America has some powerful thoughts on the matter
As was to be expected, it got a reaction from fans and foes alike. Both the speech and 'Barbie' at large have been criticized by some for being an oversimplification of feminism, but Ferrera rejected such criticism during a recent interview with 'The New York Times' this week.
The Golden Globe winner fiercely defended her character poignant monologue, arguing that the speech is not just a bunch of feminist clichés, but a necessary dialogue for a world still grappling with gender equality.
"We can know things and still need to hear them out loud. It can still be a cathartic," Ferrera said. "There are a lot of people who need Feminism 101, whole generations of girls who are just coming up now and who don’t have words for the culture that they’re being raised in. Also, boys and men who may have never spent any time thinking about feminist theory. If you are well-versed in feminism, then it might seem like an oversimplification, but there are entire countries that banned this film for a reason."
Ferrera's defense doesn't stop there. She points out that the film's ban in certain nations speaks volumes about the relevance of its feminist message. "To say that something that is maybe foundational, or, in some people's view, basic feminism isn't needed is an oversimplification," she explained.
She also had a big say in the script
'Barbie,' directed by Greta Gerwig and co-written with Noah Baumbach, has not only sparked essential feminist debates but also soared to become the highest-grossing movie of 2023.
America confessed that she was also given the opportunity to tweak the monologue as needed. Gerwig was keen on getting Ferrera’s point of view when it came to filming "Gloria’s" speech.
"The text evolved a little bit," America said.
"Greta asked me, ‘Why don’t you just tell me what you would say? Write it in your own words. What would you add?’ Not every director starts out by inviting actors to rewrite their work. Some of what we talked about made it into the script. The line, ‘Always be grateful’ came out of that conversation with Greta."
"She expounded on it adding, ‘But never forget that the system is rigged.’ There were many versions that we did. We ended in tears. It ended in laughter, it got big, it got small, and I was able to do that because I really trusted Greta to know what would be right for the film," America revealed.
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While some critics have dismissed the monologue as "basic" and "textbook white feminism," Ferrera's fans have applauded the scene, finding it deeply relatable and moving. After many tweaks and collaborations they settled on a version.
The result? A monologue that resonated with audiences worldwide, capturing the impossible standards women are held to. Filmed over two intense days, Ferrera delivered the monologue with such conviction that it varied from tears to laughter, big to small – all under Gerwig's trusting direction.
Ferrera's monologue stands as a testament to the film's impact and the ongoing conversation about feminism in today's society.
