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Monica Bellucci is an icon in more ways than one. Turning from a model into an actress is not a small feat. However, she managed to do it and took it a step further, even being taken seriously in the field. She has had a great influence on the portrayal of women on screen, having starred in masterpieces likeMalènaandIrréversible, which are at times so realistic that it is uncomfortable.
It would seem that the actress also frequently practices what she preaches, constantly being a role model to more than just her fans. In fact,Game of Thronesactress Lena Headey once confessed that Bellucci had a huge influence on how she approached her professional life and the people she interacted with.
Lena Headey Was Tormented by a Co-star
Lena Headeyonce gave an interview with Carla Gugino forInterview Magazine, where the pair went into great detail about their personal and professional lives, going through the high and low points of their careers. At one point in the interview, Gugino talked about a moment in her career where she faced an extremely rude female co-star.
This prompted Headey to share her own story early in her career, and it is safe to say that the actress was put through the wringer. She revealed that at one point, she was working alongside an actress who was 40 years older than her. One would assume that the older actress would take such an opportunity to mentor a younger actress.
Monica Bellucci: “Everybody thinks I’m stupid” on Why She Has to Work Extra Hard Because of Her Extreme Good Looks
However, she decided to torment Headey instead. The actress revealed that whenever her older co-star would mess up, she would end up pinching her or hurting her physically as a way to deal with her own misdemeanors. Headey went as far as to say that she made her life a “living hell” on set.
Then, same, I had an older actress who made my life a living hell. I didn’t realize I just needed to stand up for myself, like you. I was terrified of her. She’s 40 years older than me. She used to pinch me under the table during a scene if she forgot her line. She would grab me, twist my skin, so I go, “F*ck it,” and she’d go, “You see, she ruins every day.” It was daily.
At one point during the filming of the project, Headey grew tired of this behavior and decided to stand up for herself. Only this backfired in a worse way, with the actress claiming that Headey “ruins every day.”
Monica Bellucci’s Words of Wisdom
One can imagine that working in such a toxic environment would have been extremely frustrating for Lena Headey. The actress confessed that despite her older co-star starting to play the victim, she found it difficult to stand up for herself. This is not an isolated experience, as many young actresses have spoken up about being afraid to voice discomfort.
This is because many talented women have had their careers destroyed because of being labeled ‘difficult,’ simply for disagreeing with something they did not like or being outspoken about their opinions. This also causes many up-and-coming actresses to stay quiet even when they are uncomfortable.
Before Gal Gadot Controversy, Monica Bellucci Played Cleopatra to Almost Universal Acclaim in the Greatest French Comedy Ever Made
Headey could have also gone down a similar path and held her tongue till it bled. However,Monica Belluccicame just in time to save her from such a fate. In 2005, the two starred inThe Brothers Grimm, starring Matt Damon, Heath Ledger, and Jonathan Pryce. During the making of this film, it would seem that Bellucci gave Headey a piece of advice that changed her perspective completely.
Then I met Monica Bellucci who was amazing, and she said, “Look, just f*cking ask for what you want. They’re going to call you a b**ch regardless because you’re a woman.” I thought that’s also true. There are still the residing boys club, always will be.
Bellucci’s words had such a great effect on Headey that she ended up completely changing her attitude towards her professional life and gained confidence.
Ananya Godboley
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2219
Ananya Godboley is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows, with over 2,000 articles published. She has been an entertainment journalist for the past two years. Currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in psychology from K.R. Mangalam University, Ananya also likes to fangirl as a full-time job. She covers news and analyses on anything from Rick and Morty to Hannibal and even Arcane. In between these lines, she also enjoys superheroes and Taylor Swift.A philosophy enthusiast, Ananya enjoys digging deeper into the media she consumes, trying to understand the root of her favorite characters' behavior.
