An Open Letter to Scarlett Johansson.
Dear Scarlett Johansson,
Let’s get the obvious thing others will point out stated and over with: ScarJo, you have been problematic in a messy as fuck kind of way. There. I said it. Moving on.
You, Ma’am, have gone from being my least favorite actress to probably one of my most respected, near and dear to my heart actresses. I remember as a teenager LOATHING the idea that you were going to be in Iron Man 2. That YOU were going to be Black Widow. Some of this in part to your tabloid portrayal as ditzy airhead, partly because what teenage girl wasn’t stupid with jealousy over that Ryan Reynolds situation?
But then, ooohh, Scarlett, then you KILLED as Widow (pun intended). Suddenly, while I was outwardly dissing you, I cut and colored my hair like yours as Natasha. The dissing became light joking after Avengers, when I stopped being as embarrassed by my curvier figure thanks to you. I’m short, curvy, and have had my ups and downs with weight, and here you are (maybe a tad over simplified but) the same. Comparing myself to you helped me build my confidence. It helped me to appreciate my body; I should actually say helps- it’s an on-going battle.
Inwardly, your personality shines through in gag reels and SNL, where we get to see that you’re funny and silly and willing to be the joke as long as everyone is laughing. I adore that quality. You’ve navigated fame in way that allows you to keep some privacy, and have navigated multiple relationships in what seems to be pure grace despite the endings. (And now Colin Jost? Girl, YES! Those cheeks! That hair! UGH.)
Scarlett, more than anything, it’s admirable how you’ve made it from child actresses to one of Hollywood’s top paid, top box office drawing leading ladies. You have struggled as much as succeeded with press (sometimes at your own hands but that’s not the point here). Finally, you’ve given us what we all needed- a GOOD, well thought out, LOVING Black Widow movie, and I entirely believe it comes down to you as the reason why her solo movie felt like a love letter to her fans (and your fans) in the MCU. Thank you, Scarlett. For your Widow, and for proving a bitchy teen so, so wrong about her harsh judgements.
All love,
Rebecca Timberlake