Charlize Theron Denies Hollywood Body Shaming: ‘Pretty People Get Turned Away First’

While many actresses are criticizing Hollywood studios for its adherence to the old rules that say the best roles go to the prettiest faces, Charlize Theron isn’t jumping on that particular bandwagon. In fact, Theron says just the opposite is true, and the Mad Max: Fury Road actress speaks from experience. Not only has Charlize been there to see the prettiest actresses get turned away for the choicest roles, but in her own auditions, Ms. Theron has gone in looking as frumpy and homely as she possibly could, a tactic that has worked for her time and again.

Charlize Theron Reveals The Hidden Truth About Auditioning For Starring Roles

Ms. Theron says many people have the wrong idea about the way Hollywood studios go about casting roles. She says things have changed, since the days of casting the prettiest face or the hottest model in a film’s starring role. Filmmakers and studio executives have become more aware to the growing number of socially aware audiences and their need for a hero or heroine with substance, leading casting directors to choose an actress or actor based on the best fit for the role and not based solely on the celebrity’s draw.

“Jobs with real gravitas go to people that are physically right for them and that’s the end of the story,” Charlize says. “How many roles are out there for the gorgeous, f—ing, gown-wearing eight-foot model? When meaty roles come through, I’ve been in the room and pretty people get turned away first.”

Speaking of beauty, 40-year-old Theron says the days of women struggling to attain an unrealistic image of beauty after 40 are coming to an end. The old rule that men age with dignity, while women are seen as wilted and wrinkled versions of their former selves is coming to an end, says Charlize, adding that she’s happy to see women taking charge and determining for themselves how they’re seen in the media.

Charlize Theron Attends The MTV Movie Awards And Takes Home A Win For Mad Max: Fury Road

Charlize had a good reason to celebrate Saturday night, after taking home the award for Best Female Performance at the MTV Movie Awards for her role as Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max: Fury Road. All eyes were cast on Ms. Theron, as she dazzled in a black lace Alexander McQueen gown, but the stunning outfit was no match for the sparkle in her eyes, as she accepted the award and delivered a small speech that was tinged with female empowerment and a special acknowledgement to Theron’s own little Imperator.

“The story of Fury Road is in part a story of the power of women and the power to create our own destinies,” Ms. Theron began.

Charlize couldn’t accept the award or conclude her speech without mentioning her own children, thanking her son for his support and sharing her daughter’s dreams with the MTV Movie Awards audience.

“I want to thank my beautiful son for putting a smile on my face. He was with me every day making this film,” Charlize boasted. “I accept this award on behalf of my own little Furiosa, my daughter August Simone, and for all the furiosas out there.”

This was Charlize’s first MTV Movie Award and it will certainly be placed with great care among her previously won assembly of Golden Globes, BAFTA, Saturn Awards, and her first Oscar win. The MTV award may mean more than all of those other awards for the simple reason that Theron looks on her Mad Max: Fury Road role as the most difficult and most physically demanding role of her career.

“It was definitely the hardest thing that I ever had to do in 20 years because it was so long and there were days where you just wanted a break but you couldn’t because you were in it all the time,” Ms. Theron said. “So when I watch the movie, I can see my own pain in it.”

Charlize Theron will next be seen, when The Huntsman: Winter’s War hits theaters on April 22.

[Image by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for MTV]