Scarlett Johansson reflects on harsh beauty pressure faced by young actresses in Hollywood

Actor says modern red carpets celebrate individuality while everyday beauty routines have become more visible

Scarlett Johansson has reflected on the intense beauty standards that shaped Hollywood when she began her acting career, describing the expectations placed on young actresses as "unachievable" and far less accepting of individuality than the industry is today.

Speaking in a video shared on Instagram, Johansson looked back at the image expectations that dominated film premieres and awards events during the early years of her career. The Black Widow and Marriage Story star said there was a single ideal that movie stars were expected to meet, leaving very little room for personal style or self expression.

"There was such a standard on how movie stars were supposed to look," Johansson said. "It was unachievable and it did not allow for personal style in the same way" that today's culture does.

Johansson explained that she believes modern red carpets have become far more welcoming of individuality, with celebrities increasingly using fashion and beauty to express their personalities rather than following one rigid formula. She also pointed to changing attitudes in everyday life, noting that products once hidden from public view have become part of normal self care.

She said it is now common to see people wearing pimple patches, eye masks and other skincare products while travelling or running errands, reflecting a wider acceptance that beauty routines no longer have to remain private.

The actress's latest comments continue a conversation she began earlier this year about the scrutiny she experienced as a young woman entering the entertainment industry during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

In April, Johansson said young actresses were routinely judged for their appearance in ways that were widely accepted at the time.

"I think women were just pulled apart for how they looked in a way that was socially acceptable at the time," she said, adding that the environment was particularly difficult for young performers trying to establish themselves in Hollywood.

Johansson also revealed that she was frequently offered similar roles early in her career, describing them as versions of "the other woman, or the side piece, the bombshell." She explained that moving beyond those stereotypes required persistence, as turning down parts carried the risk of losing career opportunities.

Her filmography eventually expanded well beyond those early character types. After breakout performances in The Horse Whisperer, Ghost World and Lost in Translation, Johansson became one of Hollywood's biggest stars through her portrayal of Natasha Romanoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. She also earned Academy Award nominations for both Marriage Story and Jojo Rabbit in the same awards season, further establishing herself as one of the industry's leading dramatic performers.

Johansson has also spoken openly about the personal impact of beauty expectations outside of red carpet appearances. She previously revealed that she struggled with acne from the age of 12 and often felt anxious about skin breakouts while working as a teenager. One memory that stayed with her involved a makeup artist commenting on her skin during the filming of The Horse Whisperer, an experience she said heightened her self consciousness.

Those experiences later inspired Johansson to launch her skincare brand, The Outset, which focuses on products designed for sensitive skin and grew from her own experiences with dryness, irritation and breakouts.

Looking back on her career, Johansson believes the culture surrounding beauty has evolved significantly. While appearance continues to play an important role in Hollywood, she feels today's performers have greater freedom to define their own image instead of chasing a single ideal.