EXCLUSIVE: Scarlett Johansson Calls Out Hollywood's 'Unachievable' Beauty Rules
Scarlett Johansson is calling out the beauty standards she faced coming up.
Aug. 7 2026, Published 3:00 p.m. ET
Scarlett Johansson has called out the "unachievable" beauty rules she faced as a young Hollywood star, revealing actors were once expected to conform to a rigid image that left far less room for individuality or personal style.
RadarOnline.com can reveal the Jurassic World Rebirth star, who began acting as a child before becoming one of Hollywood's highest-grossing performers, reflected on how attitudes have shifted during an appearance on Good Housekeeping's Home in Five series.
Scarlett Johansson on Beauty Standards: 'It Was Unachievable'
Johansson criticized the unachievable beauty standards of her younger acting years.
Johansson said red carpets and everyday celebrity culture have become noticeably more relaxed over the past two decades, allowing stars greater freedom over their appearance.
She said: "Actors are able to express their personal style on the red carpet much more than they ever did before."
The Oscar-nominated actress said the contrast was particularly stark when she looked back at the expectations placed on movie stars during her younger years, when performers could face intense scrutiny over how they presented themselves publicly.
"There was such a standard on how movie stars were supposed to look. It was unachievable, and it didn't allow for personal style in the same way (it does now,)" she noted.
Johansson has watched those conventions loosen as a new generation of actors has embraced more individual fashion choices, both at major industry events and while traveling or appearing in public.
The star said: "Now at the airport or on the train, you see people wearing pimple patches and eye masks and whatever they want to feel confident."
Scarlett Johansson Fights Back Against 'Male Gaze'
The actress noted Hollywood red carpets now allow greater freedom for personal style.
Johansson has previously spoken about another pressure she encountered while establishing herself in Hollywood – being viewed primarily through the lens of her appearance and sexuality.
Johansson, whose credits include Lost in Translation, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Marriage Story and multiple appearances as Natasha Romanoff in Marvel's Avengers franchise, has said many roles available to her as a younger performer revolved around male characters and desirability.
Speaking to The Sunday Times, she said: "When I was younger, a lot of the roles I was offered, or I went for, had their ambitions or character arcs revolving around their own desirability, or the male gaze, or a male-centred story."
Johansson eventually responded by becoming more selective and accepting that rejecting work she found creatively unsatisfying could mean waiting longer between suitable roles.
The actress said: "I just waited. I had to become comfortable with the idea that it could take some time. Which is hard when you're a young actor, but at that time I didn't have any children."
Expanding Her Empire Behind the Camera
The performer achieved acclaim for 'Lost in Translation' and 'Girl with a Pearl Earring.'
Johansson later expanded her career beyond acting, becoming a producer and moving into directing while continuing to work on major studio productions.
Her Hollywood career stretches back more than three decades, with her transition from child performer to adult star bringing leading roles across independent dramas, comedies, action films and blockbuster franchises.
Johansson is married to Saturday Night Live comedian Colin Jost, 44.
They married in 2020 and share a son, while Johansson also has a daughter from her previous marriage.
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She has expanded her Hollywood career into producing and directing projects.
Her recent work has included Jurassic World Rebirth, continuing a career that has seen her move between blockbuster franchises and smaller character-driven projects while becoming increasingly involved behind the camera.
Johansson received two Academy Award nominations in the same year for Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit.
Away from acting, she has worked as a producer and director.
