In a recent interview with NPR, Jodie Foster explained how obtaining power early in her career helped shield her from sexual abuse while working as a child actor in Hollywood. Earning an Oscar nomination at just 12 years old for her role in Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver placed Foster in a protected position within the industry, unlike many other teenagers vulnerable to exploitation. This early success granted her a reputation that made her “too dangerous to touch,” giving her a level of security uncommon among young actors.
Foster Reflects on Microaggressions and Power Dynamics in Hollywood
The two-time Oscar winner discussed the challenges women face in the entertainment industry, pointing out that while microaggressions are widespread, her elevated status altered her experience. Foster shared,
“I’ve really had to examine that, like, how did I get saved? There were microaggressions, of course,”
highlighting the subtle sexism present in the workplace. She continued,
“Anybody who’s in the workplace has had misogynist microaggressions. That’s just a part of being a woman, right? But what kept me from having those bad experiences, those terrible experiences? And what I came to believe … is that I had a certain amount of power by the time I was, like, 12. So by the time I had my first Oscar nomination, I was part of a different category of people that had power and I was too dangerous to touch. I could’ve ruined people’s careers or I could’ve called ‘Uncle,’ so I wasn’t on the block.”
Foster’s Personality and Youth as a Factor in Resisting Manipulation
Foster further attributed her ability to avoid predatory behavior to her personal nature and strength. She noted,
“It also might be just my personality, that I am a head-first person and I approach the world in a head-first way,”
adding,
“It’s very difficult to emotionally manipulate me because I don’t operate with my emotions on the surface. Predators use whatever they can in order to manipulate and get people to do what they want them to do. And that’s much easier when the person is younger, when the person is weaker, when a person has no power. That’s precisely what predatory behavior is about: using power in order to diminish people, in order to dominate them.”
Foster as a Supportive Role Model for Other Child Actors Experiencing Harassment
Although Foster avoided sexual abuse herself as a teenager, she has since become a source of support for other actors who have faced harassment and sexualization. Natalie Portman revealed that Foster reached out to her after Portman spoke about her own experiences as a child actor. Portman recalled,
“I did a speech at a Women’s March about being sexualized as a young actress, and she reached out to me after that, and we talked and it was amazing. She’s still a role model.”
Natalie Portman’s Experience with Early Fame and Protection Tactics
Similar to Foster, Portman gained recognition as a child in the film Léon: The Professional at age 11. She explained how projecting a serious demeanor helped safeguard her from unwanted attention on set. Portman said her mother was always present to protect her, stating, that her mom
“was with me all the time and made sure that no one got near me.”
She added,
“That kind of projection of seriousness protected me in a way,”
and reflected,
“’Cause I feel like it was almost a warning signal like, ‘Oh, don’t do shit to her.’ Not that anyone ever, you know, deserves it or is asking for it. But I felt like that was my unconscious way of doing it.”
The Broader Implications for Child Actors and Industry Awareness
Foster’s reflections shed light on the importance of power dynamics in protecting young performers from exploitation. Her early career accomplishments provided leverage that made predatory behavior against her too risky for those involved. The conversation also highlights the vital role of support systems, such as family presence and personal resilience, for child actors navigating a vulnerable phase in their careers. As awareness around these issues grows, it is likely that greater protections and advocacy will continue to develop within Hollywood to safeguard young talent.
