Megan Fox became the women of thousands of fan's dreams after the premiere of 'Transformers' a decade ago. Fox starred in the film that blended science fiction, action and adventure alongside Shia LaBeouf and under director Michael Bay. The film became a next-level blockbuster, leading to a radical change within the actress, and not for the better. The star has been honest about her struggle, stating that she went through an extremely dark period after giving life to the character of Mikaela Banes.
After her first success arrived 'Jennifer's Body', a horror film that is oft-defended years later but at the time received some pretty harsh criticism, especially towards Fox, who saw how this recently acquired notoriety could mix with some highly negative and overwhelming comments. Fox found being sexualised on so many different levels extremely difficult to manage. "It wasn't only that film, it was every day of my life, all the time, with every project I worked on and every producer...It preceded a breaking point for me. I believe that I had a genuine psychological breakdown. I didn't want any one to see me, to take photos of me, to be in magazines or pose on the red carpet. I didn't want to be seen in public before I was afraid and because I believed, I was absolutely certain, that they were going to make fun of me, or spit at me, or that someone would yell at me or throw rocks at me just for going out...I went through a very dark moment".
The actress adds that she believes that she was at the forefront of the #MeToo movement before it started, when she didn't hesitate to point out that the hypersexualisation generated after 'Jennifer's Body' wasn't right. "I was speaking out against it and saying, "Hey, what's happening to me isn't okay" and the whole world was like, "Fuck you, we don't care, you deserve it" because the whole world was talking about your appearance or how you dressed or the jokes that you made. In that moment I felt like I was suffering but now, seeing the result and having evolved as I have, I believe it made me a better human being".
Despite things having changed, Fox has stated that, although she believes in equality, she doesn't feel that there is "a space in feminism" for her. "I feel like the feminists don't want me as part of their group. How can we talk about supporting other women if we're only there for some of them? If I have to be an academic or not pose a threat to you in any way? Why can't I be part of the group too?". In the interview with ET, she shares the experience alongside Diablo Cody, director of the film that also suffered the consequences of such criticism.
Fear of the consequences
Even today Cody, winner of the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for 'Juno', doesn't feel free in the age of speaking about machismo, assault, and the role of women in Hollywood, because she's afraid that people won't listen to her or take her seriously. "I have a lot to say, but if I'm being honest I'm terrified that people will say "well, she was a stripper, what she says doesn't matter to us. Does she really have a right to speak about being sexualised or suffering all sorts of shit in Hollywood? She chose it, so her story isn't valid"". It's for this reason that the film maker, who has continued to experience success with her scripts for films such as 'Tully' and 'Young Adult', both starring Charlize Theron, has not arrived at a point at which she believes she is able to express how she lived through the phenomenon that without a doubt we would see differently today.
Cody, your story is valid. Hopefully one day you'll feel that way and will decide to share it.
