Goldie Hawn is a legendary actress, known for her ability to bring humor and heart to her characters on the big screen. However, she’s also made headlines for her outspokenness on important issues, including the #MeToo movement. In particular, Hawn has been praised for her willingness to speak out against Harvey Weinstein, a man whose alleged misconduct has been widely documented in recent years.
Hawn first spoke about Weinstein in a 2018 interview with CNBC, where she reflected on the way women were treated in Hollywood during the 1980s and 90s. “It was a really difficult time,” Hawn said. “Women were not taken seriously. They were there mostly to be attractive and to fulfill male fantasy.” Hawn went on to say that she didn’t experience the kind of harassment that many other women did, but that she was still aware of the toxic culture that existed in the industry.
However, Hawn did have a run-in with Weinstein later in her career. In a 2020 interview with The Guardian, Hawn explained that Weinstein had tried to pressure her into casting a certain actor in a film she was producing. At the time, Hawn was already an established actress and producer, and she had no intention of letting Weinstein dictate her decisions. “I remember saying to him, ‘I don’t cast movies, Harvey. The director does,'” Hawn told The Guardian.
It’s worth noting that Hawn’s experience with Weinstein was relatively minor compared to what many other women have alleged. However, Hawn’s decision to stand up to him and push back against his attempts to exert control is still commendable. As the #MeToo movement has shown, it’s often incredibly difficult for women in Hollywood to speak out against powerful industry figures. By breaking the mold and standing up for herself, Hawn set a powerful example for other women to follow.
Of course, Hawn’s activism isn’t limited to Weinstein alone. Throughout her career, she’s been an advocate for women’s rights and a vocal critic of gender inequality in the entertainment industry. In a 2018 interview with The New York Times, Hawn discussed the challenges that women face in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera. “We’re still not cutting it,” she said. “We’re still waiting to have the right roles, to have the right directors, to produce.”
Hawn has also used her platform to speak out against issues like sexual harassment and assault, and she’s been an outspoken supporter of the #MeToo movement since it first gained traction on social media in 2017. In a 2018 interview with CBS This Morning, Hawn praised the bravery of the women who had come forward to share their stories of abuse and misconduct. “I think it’s a movement that had to happen,” she said. “And I think it is going to make a difference.”
As Hawn’s activism shows, even small acts of resistance can make a big difference in the fight for gender equality. By speaking out against Weinstein and voicing her support for #MeToo, Hawn has helped set a new standard for how women in Hollywood can stand up for themselves and each other. Importantly, she’s also shown that speaking out doesn’t have to put a woman’s career at risk—Hawn is still an in-demand actress and producer, and her activism hasn’t slowed her down.
In a world where misogyny is still all too common, Hawn’s bravery and outspokenness should be celebrated. By using her platform to advocate for women’s rights and speak out against powerful figures like Weinstein, Hawn has set an example that we should all strive to follow. Because when women come together to fight for what’s right, the possibilities are truly limitless.