The gender wage gap continues to be an issue in Hollywood, but the good news is that women are getting more leading roles than ever (hi, Rey!). The Center for the Study of Women in Television and Film revealed that while female protagonists are still less prevalent, they comprised 22% of leads in 2015's top grossing films—hardly equal to men, but that's a 10% increase from last year's statistics. (The number of female "major characters" and speaking parts also experienced a bump, so yay!)
The unfortunate news is that a) gender stereotypes are still a huge problem, and b) the rise in female protagonists was predominantly white.
Despite women landing more roles in general, the percentage of black women only rose 2 points to 13%. Meanwhile, there was no change in the percentage of Latinas, and the percentage of Asian women actually fell from 4% to 3%.
This is pretty disappointing, but the uplifting news is that female directors made a huge impact in representation stats. Women were protagonists in 50% of films with female directors and writers, versus 13% of films with male directors and writers.
Here's to hoping Hollywood execs take a look at these numbers and hire more female creatives so we can see an even more significant rise in women (and more specifically women of color) in the coming years. The future =🙋🙋🙋
Follow Marie Claire on Instagram for the latest celeb news, pretty pics, funny stuff, and an insider POV.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Mehera Bonner is a celebrity and entertainment news writer who enjoys Bravo and Antiques Roadshow with equal enthusiasm. She was previously entertainment editor at Marie Claire and has covered pop culture for over a decade.
-
Meryl Streep Reveals That Skinnydipping at 5 O'Clock In the Morning Is Something Her ‘Big Little Lies’ Co-Star Nicole Kidman Apparently Enjoys
Streep presented Kidman with a lifetime achievement award on Saturday, and said it was “impossible not to be in awe of her" (referring more to her work than her early morning dips in the Pacific).
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Katie Holmes Finds the Least Basic White Button-Down
Hers has a playful illustrated twist.
By Halie LeSavage Published
-
There’s A Poignant Reason Why Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Upcoming Visit to Nigeria Will Be Especially Meaningful to Them
The couple will travel there next month, following a stop for Harry in the U.K. to mark the Invictus Games’ 10-year anniversary on May 8.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
A Definitive Ranking of Margot Robbie’s Top 10 Movie Roles
She's got a knack for playing complex women.
By Andrea Park Published
-
The Best Bollywood Movies of 2023 (So Far)
Including one that just might fill the Riverdale-shaped hole in your heart.
By Andrea Park Published
-
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ 2023: Everything We Know
Cue up Mike Reno and Ann Wilson’s “Almost Paradise."
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
Who Is Gerry Turner, the ‘Golden Bachelor’?
The Indiana native is the first senior citizen to join Bachelor Nation.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
‘Virgin River’ Season 6: Everything We Know
Here's everything we know on the upcoming episodes.
By Andrea Park Last updated
-
The 'Barbie' Movie Poster Is Already This Year's Most Iconic Meme
Your daily dose of internet comedy.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Documentaries About Black History to Educate Yourself With
Take your allyship a step further.
By Bianca Rodriguez Published
-
The 60 Best Musical Movies of All Time
All the dance numbers! All the show tunes!
By Amanda Mitchell Last updated