Acclaimed actress Jodie Foster has stirred conversation with comments that appeared to draw a pointed comparison between her own career and that of fellow Hollywood icon Denzel Washington. The remarks came during a candid interview with Variety where Foster reflected on the long-standing criticism she has faced from the LGBTQ+ community for not being more publicly outspoken.
A Seismic Moment and Lasting Criticism
The two-time Oscar winner revisited her 2013 Golden Globes speech, a moment many interpreted as her public coming out while she acknowledged her former partner, Cydney Bernard. After decades of personal privacy, the speech was seismic, yet Foster has consistently faced backlash for not leveraging her platform more forcefully for activism, particularly during the height of the AIDS crisis.
When questioned by the publication about the pressure on public figures to become activists, Foster visibly "bristled". She responded with a rhetorical comparison: ‘Thank God there were the wonderful pioneers that were out there changing the world. That’s true of the Civil Rights Movement, and yet you have Denzel Washington, who just made movies. Are we mad at him? Does everyone have to?’
Interpreting a Hollywood Comparison
While Foster seemed to be arguing that not every celebrity is obliged to be a trailblazer, her specific invocation of Washington's name was interpreted by some as a subtle dig. It highlighted a perceived double standard where some stars, like Washington, are not routinely expected to shoulder the weight of social causes, while others face scrutiny for their level of public engagement.
The comments have been left open to interpretation, leaving observers to debate whether it was a playful reflection or a pointed remark. Representatives for both Foster and Washington have not yet responded to requests for comment on the interview's publication.
A History of Mutual Admiration
Despite the potential friction implied by her words, Foster and Washington share a long history of professional respect. Their on-screen partnership dates back to 2006, when they starred opposite each other in Spike Lee’s acclaimed thriller, Inside Man.
Foster has previously expressed her admiration, having once said she "had wanted to work with Washington for a long time." She praised him as "truly the best actor that I’ve ever worked with," highlighting his spontaneous talent. Washington reciprocated the sentiment, calling Foster "cool" and "great," and valued their screen time together.
Beyond this recent headline, Foster's wide-ranging Variety interview touched on other career milestones. She explained her decision not to reprise the role of Clarice Starling in 2001's Hannibal, citing scheduling and the director's own reservations about the source material.
She also reflected on the profound influence of working with Robert De Niro, who taught her to bring more of herself to her roles, and discussed the strict code of self-respect instilled by her mother. On her current work, Foster concluded, "I think I’m doing the best work of my life. And the dirty little secret is that I’ve never worked less in terms of my energy output."
