Megan Fox opens up about being perceived as a ‘shallow succubus’

‘I was never really established as having been talented,’ said the actor

Annabel Nugent
Saturday 03 July 2021 13:45 BST
Comments
Megan Fox suffered psychological breakdown after being sexualised in Hollywood
Leer en Español

Your support helps us to tell the story

In my reporting on women's reproductive rights, I've witnessed the critical role that independent journalism plays in protecting freedoms and informing the public.

Your support allows us to keep these vital issues in the spotlight. Without your help, we wouldn't be able to fight for truth and justice.

Every contribution ensures that we can continue to report on the stories that impact lives

Head shot of Kelly Rissman

Kelly Rissman

US News Reporter

Megan Fox has opened up about how the public perception of her as a “shallow succubus” dictated the types of roles she was offered.

Fox – who first found mainstream fame in 2007’s Transformers – has previously spoken out against the pervading misogyny that impacted her career.

“I think there has been a pervasive perception of me as a shallow succubus, if that makes any sense, for at least the first decade of my career,” she told The Washington Post.

“And then that started to change more recently as people revisited my interviews, listened to me speak and started to see me in a different way.”

Because of her physical appearance, Fox said: “I was never really established as having been talented.”

The 35-year-old added that she noticed “people were surprised” to find she was funny when she starred in the hit comedy series New Girl as Reagan.

“More than being overlooked for my ability to handle comedy sometimes, I’ve always been surprised by how easy it was for people to overlook that I’m relatively intelligent,” she said.

“I was like, how does that get so lost when there’s ridiculous amounts of material that can educate you otherwise?”

Megan Fox
Megan Fox (Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock)

The This if 40 star reflected on her early career, stating: “I was so lost and trying to understand, like, how am I supposed to feel value or find purpose in this horrendous, patriarchal, misogynistic hell that was Hollywood at the time.

Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free
Apple TV+ logo

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

“Because I had already been speaking out against it and everyone, including other women, received me in a very negative way for doing it.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Fox said that she would like to see her 2009 horror film Jennifer’s Body rebooted as a TV series.

Despite an initial negative critical reception, the film – directed by Juno’s Diablo Cody – has since become a cult classic.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in