Jude Law Speaks Out Against Early Objectification, Says It Wouldn’t Happen to Women

Jude Law Speaks Out on Early Career Objectification

Jude Law, the acclaimed British actor, has recently opened up about the objectification he faced during his early career, suggesting that if the situation had been reversed—if he were a woman—such treatment would not have been tolerated. At 51 years old, Law began pursuing acting in 1989 when he was just 17. While he found success in the ’90s, his breakout role came in 1999’s “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” where he starred alongside notable names like Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

In the film, Law portrayed Dickie, a wealthy and irresistibly charming playboy who becomes the obsession of Matt Damon’s character, Tom Ripley. Although he almost passed on the role due to concerns about being typecast as “just a pretty boy,” the film propelled him to international fame, earning him a BAFTA and nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. However, this role cemented his image as a heartthrob, leading to comments from the movie’s costume designer who labeled him a teenage girl’s fantasy.

Years later, Law was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive, an accolade he acknowledged with some frustration, as he wished the attention would focus more on his talents rather than his appearance. Reflecting on his early experiences, Law mentioned a conversation with a friend who pointed out that if he were a woman, people would have faced backlash for objectifying him.

He recounted a memorable moment from his first appearance on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2004, where he was immediately complimented on his looks. DeGeneres even revealed that his lips were among the most requested by men seeking cosmetic procedures, leaving Law taken aback. Despite the shock, he managed to laugh off the comments, humorously acknowledging his own lips.

Law concluded by expressing his desire for conversations to center on his work rather than his looks. Do you believe that Law’s experiences with objectification would have been addressed differently if he were a woman? Join the discussion in the comments.