Saoirse Ronan thanks mum for protecting her from seedy Hollywood: I was never a victim

By Deputy Chief EditorJanuary 3, 2019

142 2 minutes read

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Scott Garfitt/REX (10020434az) Saoirse Ronan 'Mary Queen of Scots' film premiere, Arrivals, London, UK - 10 Dec 2018 — Saoirse credits her mum for protecting her against Hollywoods dark side (Picture: Rex Features)

Irish actress Saoirse Ronan never became a victim of the abusive side of Hollywood and its all down to her protective mother.

The Mary Queen of Scots star has appeared in some of the biggest blockbuster movies, including Brooklyn, The Lovely Bones and Atonement, the latter of which she was just a teen in 2007.

Despite a decade of success in the movie industry, Saoirse has fortunately avoided becoming a victim to sexual predators in Hollywood.

UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00.01 03 JANUARY 2019 Saoirse Ronan stars on the cover of Harper?s Bazaar UK Three-time Oscar nominee Saoirse Ronan has soared to fame with acclaimed performances in films including Lady Bird and Brooklyn. Starring on the cover of Harper?s Bazaar UK, she talks about the Irish-border debate, the infamous Mary Stuart - Elizabeth I rivalry, and her role as Mary Stuart in the forthcoming film Mary Queen of Scots with Margot Robbie. On the Irish border debate and Brexit: ?I was watching RTE news and they were talking about the border ? and it?s such a mess. One of my friends, Eileen [O?Higgins, the actress, whom she met on the set of the film Brooklyn], is from Down, in Northern Ireland; even I didn?t fully appreciate what the reality of it was.? On being shielded from abusive behaviour in Hollywood: ?I don?t know what would have happened if she [her mother] hadn?t been around. I?m sure I would have been exposed to that quite a bit, but she just protected me from all that. I wasn?t unaware that there were people in the industry who abused their power, or who were seedy or untrustworthy. But because of her I was never a victim and I?m very, very thankful. I didn?t leave home at 19 all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ? I hadn?t been wrapped in cotton wool ? but I had been protected.? Does she want to direct? ?I?ve always wanted to do it,? she says. ?I was more drawn to that as a kid than I was to acting. I love working with actors, but I always learn the most from the directors. It?s their vision you?re bringing to life, you have to adapt to their way of working. I like having to stretch myself to fit in with their requirements.? On the relationship between Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I: ?The interesting thing is that they?re so similar in many ways. The rivalry is almost created by the lords and advisors around them? I think that?s an interesting thing to see in a political drama, that you?ve got these two people who have been turned into enemies by the people around them, but really they are sisters first and foremost.? — Saoirse gracing the cover of Harpers Bazaar UK (Picture: Harpers Bazaar UK/Erik Madigan Heck)

Discussing the Me Too movement, Saoirse told Harpers Bazaar UK for their February issue: I dont know what would have happened if my mother hadnt been around. Im sure I would have been exposed to that quite a bit, but she just protected me from all that.

Saoirse, 24, went on to credit her mother, Monica Ronan, for keeping a close eye as her daughter traversed the notoriously challenging film industry.

The actress continued: I wasnt unaware that there were people in the industry who abused their power, or who were seedy or untrustworthy.

But because of her I was never a victim and Im very, very thankful. I didnt leave home at 19 all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed – I hadnt been wrapped in cotton wool – but I had been protected.

TERMS OF USAGE: Run the front cover with the images at all times. Run a maximum of two images, plus the front cover. State that ?The February issue of Harper?s Bazaar is on sale from 3 January 2019?. Credit the pictures as courtesy of Harper?s Bazaar UK/Erik Madigan Heck. For online usage, include a link to the UK site: www.harpersbazaar.com/uk Warrant there will be no derogatory, defamatory or negative reference made to Harper?s Bazaar or anyone featured in the pictures. — The Irish actor will next appear in Mary Queen of Scots (Picture: Harpers Bazaar UK/Erik Madigan Heck)

Since October 2017, hundreds of women and men have come forward to share their accounts of sexual harassment and abuse in Hollywood.

More: Saoirse Ronan

Movie studio boss Harvey Weinstein was the first to experience the effects of the Me Too movement, with around 80 women accusing him of inappropriate behaviour on the so-called casting couch.

Formerly revered actor Kevin Spacey is also facing charges for indecent behaviour and was forced to step down from his leading role in Netflix series House of Cards.

The February issue of Harpers Bazaar is on sale from 3 January 2019.

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By Deputy Chief EditorJanuary 3, 2019

142 2 minutes read

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