How a lesson from the past allowed me to appreciate what I have today
"Taking it back 15 years: So I walk into this guy’s office for an interview, to see if he would consider representing me as an actress. The office is dingy & stinks, and he... to put it mildly, is creepy. I sit down and hand him my portfolio of pictures, which he doesn't bother looking at. Instead, he looks me up & down and says, 'You need to be more of a girl. Men like girls, not women.' Yikes, right?
You know what I did? Nothing. I simply walked out, after being insulted repeatedly, and even thanked him for his time... leaving more insecure than I already was, because he confirmed what I thought about myself back then; I wasn’t enough, too old, too ethnic, etc.
Obviously, I needed more time to get to where I am today: not giving two shits about what some perv thought of me, and knowing that his opinion was just that. His opinion. And more likely, an opinion that came from having a bad day, bad life, or I don’t know... anything to make him a grouchy old man with no respect for women!
I thought of this story, along with other not-so-happy memories of the industry... and smiled! I smiled as I realized that our industry is changing! It may be wishful thinking, but I am hopeful that no woman will ever have to hear the words I've heard, or experience the types of harassment endured by many others, ever again. And man, is it nice to flip through the channels & see badass ladies of all shapes, sizes, ethnicities: finally gracing our screen! I know we still have a ways to go, but I am seeing change & that makes me smile.
The bottom line, ladies, is to never listen to someone if they tell you that you're not enough. To spare you the 'bumper sticker' lecture, just take it from a gal who's experienced way more than what's been shared in this post.
My upcoming film, #SeveredSilence, is a perfect example to show that we can do some amazing things, no matter how hard we've had it. If someone doesn’t recognize the beautiful badass you are inside and out, never hesitate to kick ‘em to the curb. You do not need permission to be you!” ~Beta
