Minnie Driver opens up about her struggles in the industry. Image Source: The Times
Minnie Driver, who is promoting her new book, ‘Managing Expectations: A Memoir in Easy’, which was released on Tuesday (May 3rd), spoke about the challenges of being in the industry for 30 years and not finding work easily.
Minnie Driver, who started her career with Circle of Friends in 1995, said that she thought if she was able to get this job or role, she was going to get another one, but she did not. The actress said that whatever role she had taken up or been onboarded with required her to put in a lot of effort. That was her lesson as an actor that things will not come easily for her and she added that it’s fine since the payback is enormous that she can do things she loves and live her life while making money.
She confessed that while she auditioned for Good Will Hunting, she was told that she was not hot or sexy enough to portray a character who was meant to be Matt Damon's love interest in the film and listening to this comment, she was distraught. She explained that hearing "not sexy enough" when you're 26 and old enough to know you are sexy, you have somewhere accepted the idea that maybe with the right light, shoes, and outfit, you're fine to go was a terrible thing to hear. She eventually did play his love interest Skylar in the movie but said that it was devastating to hear about the way she looked initially.
Minnie explained that when a producer-man or woman, or a non-binary person, boils down an actor to what they perceive as their sexiness, it's disrespectful and demeaning of that individual and people should know that. Listening to those comments and romantic roles, she confessed, re-ignited the fears she felt as a child. Minnie admitted that she wasn't particularly attractive at the time but she tried to improve her appearance. She added that she was glad she didn't do too much because it would have been more destructive. She went on to say that she was thinking about her wonderful family, who were telling her things like, "That's ridiculous. Fuck it. You're stunning on every level. And if one person doesn't think you're attractive, so be it."
In her book, Minnie Driver shares an incident when she auditioned for a chocolate commercial, she was told to act like she was having an orgasm in a room with 20 guys and no women. She stated that she did not believe she would be placed in that position again today but added that at the time, she was humiliated by the men in power and all she could think about was about the girls who were sitting outside vying for the same commercial.
Minnie Driver expressed her desire to flee the room and warn everyone outside waiting outside for their turn, reminding them that they are better than this and so they deserve better. Minnie said that she wanted to tell the women that they are more than just being lunchtime entertainment for a group of executives who acted like total perverts, and their perversity was sanctioned by the fact that this was deemed "business." But Minnie added that she didn't do any of it because the fire was already set and needed fuel, and any fuel, no matter how dangerous, will burn. She also added that when she was leaving the director told her that the other girls enjoyed the auditioned process which she sarcastically replied back stating that they were faking it.
The actress, who has been in the profession for almost 30 years, admitted that there were many things she never questioned and assumed were just the way things were, but that when the #MeToo movement and Time's Up began, she discovered just how much she had sanctioned for herself and others. She believes that there are safeguards in place to avoid what is a sort of abuse.
Minnie shared that she has been making a lot of films with young actors and can see how different things are, and also how much they are the same. She explained that It's all about finding your voice and having a conversation about how you'd like things handled differently on set, or with publicity, for example. Women must continue to keep their voices lower and less emotive than boys. She is looking forward to that change.
The actress said when talking about her book, she never wanted to do a traditional memoir and that is why she had to find a way to tell her stories that showcased her fun side and satisfying and honest side on her terms. She is a single mother to Henry and said that he has not watched much of her movies, but he could have a future in the business.
Minnie lastly added that although it has been hard and there are days when she wishes that things would just get easier but her mother has taught her that hustling and grinding for work is essential and it keeps one grounded. She added that it’s good to work for things, it’s good for it to be difficult, and being handed stuff right at your hands should be been a little easier. She was recently seen in 'Cinderella' as Queen Beatrice which is streaming now on Amazon Prime and in an episode of Modern Love as Stephanie Curran also on Amazon Prime.
