Grey’s Anatomy’s George and Izzie? ”A ratings ploy.” And Judd Apatow’s blockbuster Knocked Up? "A little sexist." Rhetoric from a Katherine Heigl hater? Not so much. More like direct quotes from the star herself. And good for her.
Yeah, I said it.
Maybe the reason Heigl is catching so much flack for making the above comments in a candid interview with Vanity Fair is because the girl speaks the truth. I’m a Grey’s follower, but executive producer Shonda Rhimes often favors shock value over continuity and common sense. I know it; even the most diehard Grey’s fans know it. So why the big issue with Heigl pointing out the obvious? Say what you want about the girl spewing negativity, but as long as it’s honest, I’ll encourage her to spew away. It’s her unfiltered voice that makes her dynamic and edgy, so what if she occasionally comes off as a raging she-beast? Embrace it! And just because Heigl scored her big-screen breakthrough in Knocked Up doesn’t mean she has to worship her character, or agree wholeheartedly with the film’s portrayal of women. What’s more, who would really want to read an interview where she did?
Of course, I don’t always agree with Heigl, and I wouldn’t get into a debate with someone who said they found her tiresome. But the bottom line is this: Actors endlessly plugging their movies and shows and product lines are boring. Even if you think Katherine Heigl runs her mouth like an ungrateful brat, she certainly isn’t afraid to say what she thinks, and that’s infinitely more fun than reciting some publicist-scripted hooey every time she sits down with a reporter.
I feel like I should close this with ”you go girl” and then run off to high-five someone. What do you think about Heigl’s behavior? Commendable or condemnable?
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I guess the only question I have is why work on projects she doesn’t fully support? Oh yeah. Money.
exactly. the thing that’s so grating about her is that apparently it didn’t seem so sexist when she took the big fat paycheck for it. and to me the movie paints the male characters as an adolescent man-child, and the women as ones who are willing to be realistic, responsible and make the hard decisions.
She is hot, so she can say whatever she wants as far as I’m concerned.
but I do agree that at least she’s willing to say more than “that’s hot.” i’m all for a little bit of honesty in this PR driven industry.
She’s Class-A retarded. Talk about biting the hand that feeds. Outspoken — yes, but also a wee bit of a hypoctrite.
I think people are completely over reacting to her comments. Comments she was entitled to make and which had a fair amount of validity. She wasn’t slamming either of the projects just expressing her thoughts about certain elements she did not like. How is it any different to you or I saying talking about parts of our job we are not particularly fond of. The difference is she speaks the truth, she is honest and down to earth. She doesn’t hide behind a publicists and isn’t some brain dead bimbo who doesn’t have any of her own thoughts. Katherine is a breath of fresh hair, a wonderful actress and a beautiful woman. She is also a really sweet gal and an honest person. She is the real deal.
She said she was 98% happy with that film. I think that outweighs the 2% people are giving her grief over. And I don’t even like her.
Well said Rich. Since when are celebrities expected to act like politicians – every word spoken in public must be calculated and publicist approved. At least she’s not complete fluff.
I like Katherine as well. She seems like a smart, confident woman–a breath of fresh air in a Hollywood littered with Britney’s and Lindsay’s. People are definitely overreacting to her comments. She is only an actress, so it’s impossible for her to have a say in every single aspect of the production. That doesn’t mean she’s being ungrateful. If anything, she’s coming off as objective. People just need to chill.
ITA @ Rich. I think this was blown out of proportion yesterday, and people are realizing that there is some truth to what Heigl is saying. Not to mention no job is perfect. I love my job, but there are aspects I contantly criticize all the time. We all do jobs for money. At least that is one of the reasons. I have a job, and there isn’t things I fully support in it. It’s just how life is, but I rather have honesty than BS lines.
Heck yeah to commendable! I like people who are brave enough to be honest. The Izzy/Denny storyline was amazing and what they’ve done to the character of Izzy now is bs. I like that Heigl has a problem with Izzy cheating with a married man and what consequences that had on his wife. Good for her!
You know what I did when I didn’t like my job? I quit. Why be a whore if you don’t have to be? And yes, I just called Ms Heigl a whore. She may not be selling her va-jay-jay for money, but selling-out your principles is the same thing. Worse, actually. At least hookers aren’t hypocrites.
Amen, Sister Friend!
This is refreshing. I just read an interview with John Cusack about how he has only made 7 good movies (maybe I have the number wrong). To pretend that everything you do as an actor is perfect is just plain stupid. I’m so tired of talking heads and shows like Entertainment Tonight. And she’s right, Knocked Up is sexist.
People are overreacting, mmm, a lot. First of all, if she said she was mostly (98%) happy with the film, how is it selling out her principles? Thinking about it more as it relates to normal people, how often does a job opportunity come by that you’re completely, 100% in love with? Especially one that promises to catapult you to an entirely new level in your career? Sometimes, people have to make tough decisions. At least she’s not being fake about it. I’m glad that someone in Hollywood is willing to speak their mind from time to time, even if they come off too strong. (I have no place to comment on Grey’s, since I don’t watch that show, though.(
I give her credit for speaking her mind. I don’t know anyone who likes Gizzy, so it’s nice to know she feels the same. Now if she can only convince Shonda to make it stop, then I’d really be a fan.
y’all need to read the article.
http://www.vanityfair.com/services/presscenter/pressrelease/katherine_heigl200801
rich (#6 from the bottom) says it best.
i say any and all of you nay-sayers would benefit from having Hiegl as a friend, colleague, sister, daughter, aunt or parent. get a grip – she embodies girl power.
I appreciate people who are honest, but Ms. Heigl’s honesty about “Knocked Up” only shows she will do something she doesn’t respect for money (I mean, she hopefully read the script and saw other Apatow work before starting the movie, so she knew what it was about). And if she will do things she doesn’t respect for a nice payday, then I don’t respect her.
I have to agree with Rich – Heigl is certainly entitled to her own opinion thanks to a little thing called the First Amendment. Since Shonda won’t listen to the fans on how wrong Izzie and George together are, than perhaps she’ll listen to Heigl, who is perfectly qualified to testify on that.
While normally I would respect her for being outspoken, her words certainly come at a convenient time. Why wasn’t she calling Knocked Up sexist when it was dominating the box office? Why not blast her storyline for Grey’s when the academy was looking for nominations? Yes she’s honest, but only when it’s not going to hurt.
My Opinion, you couldn’t be further from the truth!
It is award season RIGHT NOW (and Knocked Up is on DVD as well). She is being considered for Golden Globes for BOTH Greys and Knocked Up. But the producers probably love what she said, because it makes those projects “hot topics”, and they get more attention.
I think what she said is fine. She said she was 98% happy with Knocked Up, and I can’t fault her for having the same thoughts that I did when I watched it.
Krissy, valid points. I was referring to that big shiny emmy she just won. Up until that point she was speaking out against homophobia, and who doesn’t love that? (Except Iasiah). If she said her storyline stunk before getting that nod, these quotes would have hindered her chances. As for Knocked Up, box office is the bigger factor at the end of the day. True, DVD sales are important, but there wouldn’t be any if this movie didn’t rule the summer like it did.
Refreshing. It’s refreshing to hear a famous person have an opinion not vetted by a committee of publicists. And not just because I, too, thought Knocked Up was a tad sexist (and unfunny).
“her words certainly come at a convenient time. Why wasn’t she calling Knocked Up sexist when it was dominating the box office?”
Um… because Vanity Fair didn’t interview her then?
Brian, Vanity Fair wasn’t, but other mags and entertainment shows were. Even Entertainment Weekly. She could have said this stuff then.
It’s so rare to hear an actress actually say what she thinks. I think it’s great. During the whole Isaiah Washington fiasco, she was the only one to really speak up. And, Knocked Up, albeit funny, was a tad sexist. Why the upset over honesty? And for those who say it’s best to quit a job where you’re not 100% comfortable, good for them-but the rest of us live paycheck to paycheck. You learn to take the good with the bad. I hope she keeps it up.
I really loved Katherine Heigl…until recently. I just can’t stand hypocrisy. Why do a movie you’re not comfortable with? And if you are 98% happy with the movie, why tell a magazine that is KNOWN to blow little parts of their interviewees stories up into major ordeals about how you thought the movie was “sexist.” Most people don’t bash something they are 98% happy with to Vanity Fair. It’s like telling that big-mouthed ***** from homeroom class that even though your boyfriend is a little sexist, you are 98% happy with him. You just don’t do it if you don’t want to look unhappy with him. And I’d say 98% is pretty damn happy. Plus, it was a comedy about an unwed pregnant woman who tries to strike up a relationship with a pothead who, basically, has no job. It’s not Shakespeare, no matter how hilarious it is. So, let’s not define our ideals of feminism by it.
I really loved Katherine Heigl…until recently. I just can’t stand hypocrisy. Why do a movie you’re not comfortable with? And if you are 98% happy with the movie, why tell a magazine that is KNOWN to blow little parts of their interviewees stories up into major ordeals about how you thought the movie was “sexist.” Most people don’t bash something they are 98% happy with to Vanity Fair. It’s like telling that big-mouthed ***** from homeroom class that even though your boyfriend is a little sexist, you are 98% happy with him. You just don’t do it if you don’t want to look unhappy with him. And I’d say 98% is pretty damn happy. Plus, it was a comedy about an unwed pregnant woman who tries to strike up a relationship with a pothead who, basically, has no job. It’s not Shakespeare, no matter how hilarious it is. So, let’s not define our ideals of feminism by it.
I love the Heigl. She stands up for her friends and says what’s on her mind, whether or not it benefits her career. She’s awesome, and one of the most beautiful women working in Hollywood today.
Lately, she really is coming across as a self-righteous dolt who cannot keep her mouth shut. I used to really like her, but nowI am not so so sure…I’d still do her; I’d just ask her to keep her trap shut.