8 Actresses Share How #MeToo and Time’s Up Strengthened Hollywood’s Female Bonds

The entertainment industry has undergone a permanent transformation. In the wake of Harvey Weinstein's exposure, the collective strength of Time’s Up, and the shared grief of #MeToo, women in front of and behind the camera are joining forces. During the SAG Awards, eight actresses spoke with ELLE.com about how these initiatives have impacted them personally and fostered unprecedented closeness with their peers.

1

Allison Janney, I, Tonya

“It’s been nothing short of amazing!” exclaimed Allison Janney, who took home a SAG award for her performance in I, Tonya. “Heading to work each day on Mom alongside so many brilliant women—everyone is opening up and exchanging experiences. I’m thrilled that the conversation is happening everywhere,” Janney remarked. “This is a defining moment.”

“Right now, things are very clear-cut,” she added. “But there’s plenty of gray area we’re all trying to navigate…. I believe we now have a national safety phrase: ‘I’m uncomfortable.’ That should apply to every field.”

“I’m genuinely heartened by all the dialogue taking place, because that’s what drives change,” she continued. “Attending the Women’s March yesterday and listening to Viola Davis and Rob Reiner speak was truly uplifting. I think we’ll see a highly engaged electorate come the midterms. Hopefully, more progress will follow, and we’ll return to the America I once believed was great.”

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2

Susan Kelechi Watson, This Is Us

Susan Kelechi Watson, who also earned a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for her work on This Is Us, expressed astonishment at the flood of personal accounts shared by those around her since the cultural shift began last autumn.

“I’ve encountered so many [stories],” said Kelechi Watson. “It’s incredibly empowering to finally speak the truth and let go of that burden. I’m confident that things will improve because of this. There’s now awareness. There are consequences. We’re sending a message to society that this behavior is unacceptable.”

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3

Mandy Moore, This Is Us

“I’m proud to stand behind the movement,” echoed Kelechi’s This Is Us co-star Mandy Moore. “We all feel energized by the forward momentum and the fact that it’s an ongoing dialogue—everyone can take part and drive change.”

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4

Alexandra Breckenridge, This Is Us

Alexandra Breckenridge, who also shared in the This Is Us ensemble win, noted that such conversations had been happening quietly among her peers for a decade, but their public emergence has created a transformative break from the old order.

“Many women were afraid to come forward with their experiences,” Breckenridge said. “I’m in awe of the bravery all these women have shown by speaking openly. It’s not easy to discuss any form of abuse—it’s painful and deeply personal. I’m incredibly impressed that women are finding the courage to talk about it because they understand change is necessary.”

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5

Britt Baron, GLOW

“I think every woman I know had encountered some form of sexual harassment when this movement started,” said GLOW actress Britt Baron. “It’s staggering how systemic this oppression has been. Until now, nobody was discussing it, so it’s truly thrilling to be part of a show with an all-female cast, female producers, female writers, and women behind the camera. This is an incredibly empowering and inspiring movement, and I hope more series like GLOW will tell women’s stories.”

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6

Natalie Zea, The Detour

The Detour star Natalie Zea said that the widespread public support for women has been a healing force for her, having often been one of the few women on set.

“I haven’t had many opportunities to work with women because historically it’s been the male lead and the antagonist, then their sidekicks, and finally, ‘Oh, there’s a wife,’” Zea explained. “So I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with many amazing men, but very few women in my career. When I take part in something like this and find myself surrounded by all these incredible, beautiful, talented, funny, smart women, I hardly know how to handle it!”

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7

Natalia Dyer, Stranger Things

Stranger Things star Natalia Dyer said that shared experiences have brought actresses together who are often pitted against each other.

“In Hollywood, there’s a tendency to subtly set girls against girls, women against women in a strange, underhanded way,” Dyer observed. “I think this movement has allowed me—and hopefully others—to realize, ‘We’re on the same side; we don’t need to compete like this.’ That bonding is truly lovely; it fills the room with a warm energy—you can really feel the solidarity.”

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8

Rita Moreno, One Day at a Time

For veteran actress Rita Moreno, female unity in the industry is a cause she has championed for decades, and she is delighted to see it embraced by a new generation.

“I’ve always had strong bonds with women,” Moreno said. “I adore women, so this isn’t new for me. [But] it’s still astonishing. Above all, it’s deeply moving because, as I see it, the more young women come to respect themselves and recognize their worth, the larger this movement grows. That is so hopeful. It’s wonderful.”

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