Chloe Sevigny Opens Up About Sexual Harassment in Hollywood, Says Three Major Directors 'Crossed the Line' in

By
Getty Images

Chloe Sevigny is taking a stand against sexual harassment in Hollywood, opening up at Variety's panel at the Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday. The 41-year-old actress, whose work in Hollywood has spanned decades, certainly has a bone to pick -- revealing three major directors have "crossed the line," acting inappropriately with her at auditions.

"I’ve had the 'what are you doing after this?' conversation," Sevigny divulged at the panel. "I’ve also had the 'do you want to go shopping and try on some clothes and, like, I can buy you something in the dressing room' [conversation]," she added.


WATCH: Bill Cosby Charged in 2004 Sexual Assault Investigation

According to Sevigny, the remarks didn’t stop there. Despite her (admitted and voluntary) nude scenes and roles in sexually explicit films -- such as Kids and The Brown Bunny -- Sevigny recalled another director telling her, "'You should show your body off more. You shouldn't wait until you're as old as this certain actress who had just been naked in a film, you should be naked on screen now.'"


NEWS: New Bill Cosby Suit Alleges Sexual Assault at Playboy Mansion

The star also revealed she lost out on several roles because of her refusal to yield to these directors' advances, but wants to make sure young actresses have the same standards and strength. "If you’re young and impressionable and really want the part, it might be a tempting avenue, but I hope not," Sevigny pleaded.

Strength is an important part of the equation for Sevigny, who was reluctant to call these advances sexual harassment, instead sadly just describing them as "Hollywood." "When women on set become a little emotional, or impassioned even, they’re labeled as hysterical or crazy and have a hard time getting hired again," said Sevigny. "The double standard of the man being the wild, crazy, mad director is so embraced."


RELATED: Chris Evans Says 'Gender Gap' in Hollywood is 'Ubiquitous'

The Big Love star also calls out the industry for its failure to follow through on strong, solid roles for women, citing films like The Huntsman: Winter’s War and Star Wars: The Force Awakens as two examples of films with seemingly strong roles for women which didn't get it quite right in the end.

"It has those three great actresses and then the male lead [Chris Hemsworth], but I was just like, they should have had better material for those ladies. Now that movie probably, I don’t think is performing well, and then will they make another movie with three great powerful women after that?" Sevigny asked, before turning her attention to the lack of action figures and merchandise for Star Wars' Rey, whose screen time outweighed that of her male counterparts.

Sevigny's statements on sexual harassment and inequality are not alone. The topic has been a huge source of conversation in the entertainment industry recently, as Kesha's appearance at the upcoming Billboard Music Awards was rescinded by Dr. Luke's record label, Kemosabe records, after her allegations of sexual abuse against the music producer, which he has continually denied. See more in the video below: