There is absolutely nothing that sets my soul on fire more than performing in front of a camera or on a stage. It has been my dream to be an actress since I was five years old and I just barely have my foot in the door after fifteen years. That said, the Hollywood I learned to love at five and the Hollywood I know now at twenty are not at all the same, and the changes are disappointing.
Last summer, I worked as an extra in a DC superhero movie, and I will never forget being on set that day and the feeling of knowing we were making a real Hollywood movie. One of the leads in that movie, who grew up one hometown over from me, is very liberal. She bullies people on Twitter who disagree with her, calling them names with no facts to prove her statements, and tells her fans to “step on” or “elbow” these people in public. Gina Carano and Jeremy Renner were subjects of her ridicule, and she also claims that every Republican is a racist white supremacist. She is a talented actress, no doubt–but her public behavior toward others would cost her her job in any other circumstance. Hollywood gives people like her a pass. Because so many of the influential leaders behind the scenes are as liberal as she is, her public displays of intolerance are actually beneficial to her career, whether they alienate potential viewers or not. I refuse to stoop to that level of cowardice if that is what it would take for me to earn bigger roles for myself.
Growing up, I did mixed martial arts for many years in addition to my acting. I really admire Gina Carano for being a powerful figure in both the MMA and Hollywood. It is a shame that Disney was looking for a reason to fire her prior to her controversial tweet just for being conservative. I, too, will not pretend to believe certain things to please my employer (or anyone else, for that matter). Will that cost me jobs one day? The most likely answer is “yes.”
Another conservative actor I love is Vince Vaughn; it would be the biggest honor to work with him. It is encouraging to know that some people in the industry are like me. At the same time, it is discouraging to see so few express themselves publicly. It will take an influx of conservative actors and actresses to shake up tinseltown’s liberal stronghold.
My all time favorite actor is Jason Bateman. I like him for his acting range and his performance on my favorite show Arrested Development. He is the farthest thing from conservative, but that does not mean I hate him or will not watch his movies. When a popular actor, actress, author, etc. comes out as conservative or voices a conservative opinion now, though, there is always a vocal group of people who claim a boycott of their material.
I used to watch conservative actors and actresses receive backlash and worry that people would not watch my movies someday for the same reasons. Then, I experienced it for myself. A few years ago, I starred in a short film made by a close friend. I commented on a conservative social media account’s post praising Trump. An internet troll found my comment and went to a post on my friend’s production company Instagram to make some vulgar comments about me. He said not to watch her movie because the lead actress is a Trump supporter, as if that has any real effect on the quality of the movie. Between being a conservative in a liberal state and working in the entertainment industry all of my life, I’ve developed thick enough skin. Fortunately, this incident didn’t bother me; I am in this business because I love it, not for money or fame.
I will not back down from what I have dreamed of and worked so hard for my whole life, and I refuse to give in and let the Left bully me into silence. My frustration with “woke” Hollywood only fuels my desire to continue my acting career. My goal is to someday work for The Daily Wire news company as a writer and actor in their movie and children’s content production projects. This business is extremely tough for people who are not afraid to speak up or accept the fact that people have different views than them, but I cannot wait to see how I can make a difference and what I am capable of.
