Emmy Rossum, a well-known veteran in the acting industry, has encountered sexism in Hollywood, just like many other female actors.
She recently shared an incident where a director requested her to appear in a bikini for an audition, a request she promptly declined.
During a candid roundtable discussion with The Hollywood Reporter in 2017, Rossum was joined by fellow actors such as America Ferrera, Minnie Driver, Issa Rae, Kathryn Hahn, and Pamela Adlon.
In this setting, Rossum revealed a disturbing request brought to her attention by her agent.
Rossum disclosed that her agent contacted her about a major movie offer, conveying that the executives admired her work on Shameless and wanted her in their project.
However, the director had a specific demand before offering her the role.
The star recounted that the director insisted she visit his office in a bikini, not for an audition but merely to ensure she hadn’t gained weight.
Despite briefly considering the request and even requesting the script from her agent, thinking the character might wear a bikini in the film, Rossum discovered otherwise.
She clarified to her colleagues that the character did not have such scenes, leading her to decline both the request and the movie role.
Emmy Rossum’s Battle for Equal Pay on ‘Shameless’
Emmy Rossum gained recognition for her portrayal of the eldest Gallagher sibling on the long-running series Shameless.
Joining the show in December 2009, she remained a central figure for nine seasons.
However, behind the scenes, tensions arose primarily concerning salary negotiations.
The issue of gender pay disparity loomed large, especially when contractual disagreements nearly jeopardized Rossum’s position on the show.
In late 2016, negotiations between Rossum and Shameless producers reached a standstill after she advocated for pay parity with her on-screen father, William H. Macy.
Refusing to sign on for the eighth season until her salary matched Macy’s, Rossum argued that her character’s significant screen time warranted equal compensation.
She received support from Macy, which she described as “validating.”
Once the dispute went public, producers swiftly offered a resolution to the matter.
Emmy Rossum’s Early Beginnings in Entertainment
Emmy Rossum graced the 24th annual Critics’ Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on January 13, 2019, in Santa Monica, California.
Her journey in show business commenced early when she joined the Metropolitan Children’s Chorus at the age of seven.
After starting as a singer, she transitioned to acting, making her TV debut in 1997 on As The World Turns, followed by appearances in Snoops, Genius, and The Audrey Hepburn Story.
Her inaugural movie role came in the 2000 film Songcatcher, with a breakthrough in Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River in 2003.
Subsequent notable roles included The Day After Tomorrow, The Phantom of the Opera, and The Poseidon Adventure.
Post her tenure on Shameless, Rossum featured in Angelyne, showcasing her diverse acting range.
