Christina Ricci defends 'mean girls' Blake Lively and Amber Heard in powerful post slamming misogyny
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Christina Ricci, celebrated for her acting prowess and advocacy for women’s rights, is making waves yet again by shining a spotlight on systemic misogyny in Hollywood.
In a thought-provoking Instagram Story, Ricci addressed the societal forces that perpetuate jealousy and rivalry among women, tying her remarks to recent controversies surrounding actresses Amber Heard and Blake Lively.
Christina Ricci exposes the 'mean girl' myth
In her candid post, Christina Ricci highlighted the "manipulation" women face, particularly the jealousy ingrained by society toward their beautiful and successful peers.
“The fact that ‘mean girls’ are always beautiful is no coincidence,” she wrote, urging her followers to scrutinize how "misogyny" weaponizes beauty and success to pit women against one another—even in spaces meant to uplift them.
“This is yet another reminder to question our willingness to burn ANY woman,” Ricci stated, challenging society to reflect on its tendency to vilify vocal and successful women.
Her post comes amidst two big Hollywood controversies.
Lively recently filed a lawsuit against her 'It Ends With Us' co-star and director Justin Baldoni, accusing him of sexual harassment and workplace misconduct.
Meanwhile, Heard continues to endure relentless public scrutiny stemming from her legal battles with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
Blake Lively and Amber Heard's legal battles in a nutshell
Blake Lively recently filed a 80-page lawsuit against Justin Baldoni, accusing him of harassment.
For months, speculation about tension between the two actors was rife, culminating in Lively’s legal action. She claims Baldoni’s actions caused her “severe emotional distress".
According to CBS News, the lawsuit, which also names the film’s studio and Baldoni’s publicists as defendants, was filed with the California Civil Rights Department. The New York Times first reported on the filing.
The complaint details allegations against Baldoni, including claims that he and a producer on the project engaged in repeated harassment and "other disturbing behavior".
Lively also asserted that after a meeting where she and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, addressed the misconduct, Baldoni and the studio launched a “multi-tiered plan” to harm her reputation.
On the other hand, Amber Heard reached a legal settlement with Depp, concluding their high-profile defamation battle.
Depp initially sued Heard after she implied he had abused her in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed.
Previously, Heard, 36, had been ordered to pay more than $10 million in damages to Depp, 56, as per The Guardian.
Meanwhile, Depp was instructed to pay Heard $2 million following her countersuit, in which she accused him of defamation after his lawyer, Adam Waldman, referred to her abuse allegations as a "hoax".
Although Heard initially appealed the ruling, she has since withdrawn her appeal.
The settlement, announced in December 2022, resolved ongoing litigation between the two actors.
Christina Ricci's personal connection with Amber Heard's ex-husband Johnny Depp
Christina Ricci’s remarks carry added weight due to her personal connection with Johnny Depp.
Having worked with him on the 1999 film 'Sleepy Hollow', their professional relationship spans decades. Yet, Ricci publicly supported Heard during her highly publicized defamation trial with Depp, showcasing her dedication to tackling systemic issues within the industry.
Now, by expressing solidarity with Lively, Ricci has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to supporting women in adversity, irrespective of personal ties or the potential for backlash.
