Yahoo Lifestyle Carey Mulligan On Feminism And Fighting The Pay Gap
In a new interview with Deadline, Suffragette star Carey Mulligan opened up about feminism, sexism and her stance on Jennifer Lawrence's essay on the Hollywood pay gap.
The 30-year-old Oscar nominee says she believes that the stigma around the word feminism is finally starting to dissipate.
"I’ve been between America and London [promoting Suffragette] and I don’t think the definition of feminism is different between the two locations. Recently, it has felt like a new word… People are afraid of labels and I think this year they’re starting to reclaim what the word originally meant, in a positive way that’s interesting."
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Carey Mulligan opens up about feminism and the gender pay gap in Hollywood. Photo: Getty Images
Carey, who recently became a mother, says she believes it's important for stars like Jennifer Lawrence to use their position to influence change.
"I think it’s a good thing for someone like Jennifer to speak out; it means an awful lot to women," she said.
"Sure, there’s been cynicism toward her speaking out and the fact that she makes a lot of money, but she is completely and selflessly rising above that. (The discrepancy) is inherently unfair and she has an enormous platform to speak out against it.
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Carey Mulligan and Anne-Marie Duff in Suffragette. Photo: Getty Images
"Men in Hollywood look up to her because she is powerful. She’s using that platform to correct something that isn’t right. It’s a long overdue conversation and it’s admirable what she has done. This is an age-old issue that’s in every part of society.
Speaking at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s Conversation Series on November 18 in New York City, Carey said that while much of the attention has been placed on the pay-gap in Hollywood, it is a platform for all industries to follow.
“It’s important that our conversation isn’t just about Hollywood. It shouldn’t be a self-serving thing; it should be used to have a wider conversation, because it’s the same in all industries,” Carey added. “If we’re going to talk about it, we should use it as a platform, as opposed to just try and fix it for ourselves.”
