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Eva Longoria on Hollywood sexism: ‘People tend to put women in boxes’ Eva Longoria on Hollywood sexism: ‘People tend to put women in boxes’
(about 4 hours later)
Eva Longoria has criticised the television and film industries for resorting too often to stereotypes when portraying women on screen.Eva Longoria has criticised the television and film industries for resorting too often to stereotypes when portraying women on screen.
“People tend to put women in boxes: She’s sexy, she’s ambitious, she’s smart, she’s a mom…. but women are complex, and we are always underestimated. Women are all of those things at the same time,” she said, speaking at the Web Summit conference in Dublin. “People tend to put women in boxes: She’s sexy, she’s ambitious, she’s smart, she’s a mom … but women are complex, and we are always underestimated. Women are all of those things at the same time,” she said, speaking at the Web Summit conference in Dublin.
“There’s a conversation to be had on stages like this or world stages, about gender rules and women’s identity. How can we be all those things? Sheryl Sandberg’s book talks about those things – ‘Women can have it all!’ – and I’ve been told that, but women can’t have it all at the same time.”“There’s a conversation to be had on stages like this or world stages, about gender rules and women’s identity. How can we be all those things? Sheryl Sandberg’s book talks about those things – ‘Women can have it all!’ – and I’ve been told that, but women can’t have it all at the same time.”
Longoria was interviewed on-stage by Jemima Khan, who pointed out that “around 85%” of the conference audience were men, while men also continue to dominate management roles within the technology industry.Longoria was interviewed on-stage by Jemima Khan, who pointed out that “around 85%” of the conference audience were men, while men also continue to dominate management roles within the technology industry.
“I think traditionally, the sexism in these fields is still prevalent. I did my masters thesis specifically on Latino women in STEM fields, and I found a lot of them were discouraged even to this day from going into these fields,” said Longoria, before addressing women in the audience.“I think traditionally, the sexism in these fields is still prevalent. I did my masters thesis specifically on Latino women in STEM fields, and I found a lot of them were discouraged even to this day from going into these fields,” said Longoria, before addressing women in the audience.
“I want to challenge all the women here today to become mentors to young women, and show them the way, and show them your path,” she added. “Because without mentors, the system does not work.”“I want to challenge all the women here today to become mentors to young women, and show them the way, and show them your path,” she added. “Because without mentors, the system does not work.”
She added that women start businesses at “three times the national average” in the US but often struggle to get access to capital: something she’s trying to address with her philanthropic efforts. She added that technology is a more positive factor in those ambitions.She added that women start businesses at “three times the national average” in the US but often struggle to get access to capital: something she’s trying to address with her philanthropic efforts. She added that technology is a more positive factor in those ambitions.
“I think part of the interesting thing about philanthropy, we live in a global community, and once you accept that, you can adopt different models of different countries doing the same things in philanthropy,” she said. “And a great way to share those models is technology.”“I think part of the interesting thing about philanthropy, we live in a global community, and once you accept that, you can adopt different models of different countries doing the same things in philanthropy,” she said. “And a great way to share those models is technology.”
Longoria was asked about ageism in the television industry. “Well, I’m still young so I haven’t quite hit the ageism yet, but it exists,” she said, before suggesting that Desperate Housewives had bucked the trend.Longoria was asked about ageism in the television industry. “Well, I’m still young so I haven’t quite hit the ageism yet, but it exists,” she said, before suggesting that Desperate Housewives had bucked the trend.
“It was one of the first shows where most of the leads were over 40, and it was ah it dhow and a global phenomenon, and it was a rarity,” she said. “It was one of the first shows where most of the leads were over 40, and it was a global phenomenon, and it was a rarity,” she said.
“There is definitely under-representation of women in film and television and I think a large part of that is they’re not behind the camera: there are not enough writers and directors and producers that are female.”“There is definitely under-representation of women in film and television and I think a large part of that is they’re not behind the camera: there are not enough writers and directors and producers that are female.”
Longoria added that she’s been a political activist since the age of 17, when she campaigned for Bill Clinton when he was running for his first term. “Volunteerism is a very big concept in my family,” she said.Longoria added that she’s been a political activist since the age of 17, when she campaigned for Bill Clinton when he was running for his first term. “Volunteerism is a very big concept in my family,” she said.
“Along those same lines, in order to make great sustainable change, you need the private sector and also the public sector, which is government and policy. So that’s why I got into politics.”“Along those same lines, in order to make great sustainable change, you need the private sector and also the public sector, which is government and policy. So that’s why I got into politics.”
That provoked a question about whether Longoria will support Hillary Clinton if and when she declares her candidacy for the next US election.That provoked a question about whether Longoria will support Hillary Clinton if and when she declares her candidacy for the next US election.
“I try not to talk about it because we have a president in the United States right now who needs help,” she said, suggesting that getting people out to vote in lesser elections in between the presidential votes is her priority.“I try not to talk about it because we have a president in the United States right now who needs help,” she said, suggesting that getting people out to vote in lesser elections in between the presidential votes is her priority.
“We turn out to vote for the president of the United States but we don’t turn out to vote for the people who work for him and with him,” said Longoria.“We turn out to vote for the president of the United States but we don’t turn out to vote for the people who work for him and with him,” said Longoria.
Khan wondered if there’s anything Longori would say to her 13 year-old self. “Dear God! Perhaps a new seatbelt: it’s gonna be a bumpy ride,” she said, before outlining her next moves in entertainment. Khan wondered if there’s anything Longoria would say to her 13 year-old self. “Dear God! Perhaps a new seatbelt: it’s gonna be a bumpy ride,” she said, before outlining her next moves in entertainment.
“Right now, I’m producing and directing a lot: I’m behind the scenes, behind the camera, which I’m enjoying. And I probably will be returning to television next year in a new show. I don’t know what it is yet, but stay tuned.”“Right now, I’m producing and directing a lot: I’m behind the scenes, behind the camera, which I’m enjoying. And I probably will be returning to television next year in a new show. I don’t know what it is yet, but stay tuned.”