Denise Richards Opens Up: From Silence to Strength in the #MeToo Era
Denise Richards is finally ready to break her silence on the sexual harassment she faced early in her career, and boy, are we here for it! After experiencing the cutthroat world of Hollywood in the ’90s, the Bold and the Beautiful alum shared with PEOPLE her reflections on the potent changes brought by the #MeToo movement. “I was told I would be blacklisted,” she admitted, revealing how fear kept her from speaking out during her rise to fame. The actress, whose big breaks came with films like “Starship Troopers” and “Wild Things,” remembers feeling vulnerable and conscious of her place within the industry—a feeling many women still experience today.
But thanks to the relentless efforts of activists like Tarana Burke and organizations like Time’s Up, women are less likely to face similar circumstances now. The #MeToo movement began as a small MySpace initiative in the mid-2000s and morphed into a worldwide hashtag after the bombshell allegations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein erupted in 2017. Its mission? To raise awareness for sexual harassment and empower voices, especially those silenced like Denise’s. “I’m so glad that women are able to have more of a voice and be more protected,” she said, reflecting on the significant cultural shift.
Richards, who now stars alongside her daughters in the reality show “Denise Richards & Her Wild Things,” is particularly thankful for the changes as her kids navigate the entertainment scene. “If I had that support system, I think I would’ve been able to handle it a little differently,” she confessed, beaming with pride about how her daughters express themselves freely—something she wishes she could’ve done back in the day. While she acknowledges that sometimes her girls may speak too candidly, she sees their assertiveness as a sign of strength—an empowering shift from her own journey fraught with pressures as a young actress.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Hollywood, where voices are gradually being amplified, Richards stands as an advocate for change, not just for herself but for the next generation of strong women. We love a good glow-up, especially when it stands for empowerment!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and PEOPLE, Variety, Time’s Up Foundation
