Joan Collins Takes On Sexism in the Spotlight
Joan Collins has been a household name for decades, but being a woman in Hollywood hasn’t always meant glamour and red carpets. She’s been open about how sexist attitudes have shaped her career—and the stories she tells make you realize how stubbornly old-fashioned the business can still be.
Back in 2019, she stirred things up by defending the word ‘actress.’ For Collins, this isn’t just about language. She feels the term ‘actress’ honors her femininity and the unique artistry that women bring to the screen. She’s pointed out more than once how the push to call everyone ‘actor’ risks erasing the nuanced contributions of women. Would it really be progress if we ignored those differences, she wonders?
Collins doesn’t just talk in broad strokes. She’s shared real moments that stick in your mind, like the time she attended a party in glamorous St. Tropez. Instead of a warm introduction, one male guest reacted with a tone-deaf, sexist joke. For Collins, it wasn’t a one-off situation—it was a good reminder of what she and other women have endured for years, often in rooms filled with powerful people who should know better.
Advocacy and the Industry’s Slow Change
Through interviews and appearances, Collins keeps pushing for respect. She’s adamant that women deserve to be recognized for their work in their own right, not just as another face next to a male lead. For her, retaining the word ‘actress’ is a stand against a kind of erasure that happens all too often—not only in awards shows but in daily talk, press coverage, and even contract negotiations.
She’s seen—and called out—the challenges women face on and off the set, from being overlooked for major roles, to receiving less pay, to fielding offhanded dismissals or outright inappropriate comments. Despite the slow pace, she’s noticed a shift. More women are speaking up these days, and Hollywood is inching its way toward progress, if not always at the speed you’d hope for.
Collins’s willingness to share her stories isn’t about dwelling on negativity but about making sure the industry changes for newcomers too. She’s a living example of how speaking up can force people to rethink what’s been accepted for too long. Her voice cuts through the usual Hollywood noise because she mixes candor with decades of firsthand experience. You don’t have to agree with all of her takes, but you can’t ignore how determined she is to see women treated with the respect they’ve always deserved—even if it means stirring up a little controversy along the way.
- May, 9 2025
- Cassius Montgomery
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