Megyn Kelly, a journalist known for her sharp satire and broad credibility, recently sparked controversy during an episode of The Megyn Kelly Show on Thursday. Kelly suggested that South African actress Charlize Theron, who played Kelly in the film Bombshell, might be the subject of her next parody due to Theron’s recent candid remarks about her personal life. This controversy centers on the Charlize Theron sexuality controversy after the actress’s explicit podcast admissions raised questions about her motivations and identity.
Theron’s Podcast Comments Raise Eyebrows
On the Call Her Daddy podcast, Charlize Theron made provocative statements about her recent sexual encounters, including details about intimacy with a younger man. Kelly expressed skepticism over these remarks, questioning whether Theron was overcompensating for an unacknowledged preference for women. The former Fox News host compared this behavior to a common pattern seen in people who conceal their true sexuality by making exaggerated opposite-sex claims.
Parenting Views Add to the Debate
Kelly also highlighted Theron’s approach to parenting as part of her critique, especially the actress’s acknowledgment that one of her adopted children identified as transgender at the age of three. Kelly doubted whether a child that young could understand such complex gender concepts, implying that Theron’s disclosure might align with a broader progressive agenda rather than reflecting authentic family reality.
Claims About Independence and Male Relationships
Theron voiced pride in her autonomy, stating she does not have to “share” custody or consult a male figure in raising her children, which Kelly interpreted as portraying men as burdens rather than partners. She found this stance contradictory given Theron’s long-term relationship with actor Stuart Townsend, suggesting that Theron’s statements were aimed more at appealing to an audience of independent young women than expressing genuine views.
Criticism of Theron’s Public Demeanor and Language
Kelly criticized Theron’s frequent use of profanity during the podcast, describing it as an attempt to appear youthful and relatable rather than a strategic use of language. She argued that at 49 years old, such constant swearing appeared vulgar and unbecoming of Theron’s status in the industry. Kelly contrasted her with Julia Roberts, whom she praised for maintaining dignity despite differing political beliefs.
“You’re a star, have some class.”
—Megyn Kelly, Host
Theron’s Past Remarks on Sexuality Provide Context
Charlize Theron has previously discussed her sexuality on television, notably in a 2017 interview on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen while promoting the movie Atomic Blonde, where she portrayed a bisexual character. Theron emphasized the importance of bisexual representation in film, saying,
“It’s something that I feel is not represented enough in cinema, and I feel that when you make movies, if you’re going to hold that mirror up and reflect society, then you should reflect society.”
—Charlize Theron, Actress
When asked about her own experiences, Theron shared that she experimented with women in her youth but ultimately felt a clear preference for men.
“When you’re young, you’re just kind of exploring it all. But it was pretty clear that I really liked dudes.”
—Charlize Theron, Actress
Implications of the Ongoing Controversy
The ongoing discussion between Megyn Kelly and Charlize Theron reflects broader cultural tensions regarding public figures’ personal disclosures and identity politics. Kelly’s pointed criticism suggests a suspicion that Theron’s openness may mask underlying truths, while Theron’s past candidness highlights the complexity of sexuality as a fluid and personal matter. As Theron continues her career amid these debates, her choices and statements are likely to remain under close public scrutiny.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What illness did Charlize Theron have as a child?
A. Theron went to Putfontein Primary School, but she often felt like she didn’t belong there. As a child, she frequently suffered from jaundice. The antibiotics she took caused her baby teeth at the front to decay, so doctors had to remove them.
Q. What surgery did Charlize Theron have?
A. Through the years, Theron has had several surgeries to fix injuries from filming action films. Recently, she talked with Uma Thurman, her co-star from The Old Guard 2, for The New York Times. Theron shared that she has had surgeries on both elbows, her right shoulder, her neck, and her thumb.
Q. Does Charlize Theron have OCD?
A. In a radio interview, actress Charlize Theron talked about her past struggles with OCD. She mentioned feeling the need to organize things precisely. She also discussed how worrying about misplaced items at home causes her to have trouble sleeping.
