10 Actors Who Spoke Out and Revealed the Truth

John Cusack: Hollywood Corruption

Whether promoting films or lending his voice to various causes, John Cusack is known for his unfiltered and honest personality. During press for “Maps to the Stars,” which depicts Hollywood’s celebrity obsession through a satirical lens, Cusack drew parallels with the film’s real-world themes. Speaking with The Guardian, the actor noted how easily the industry exploits the young and vulnerable, saying, “People are looking to turn their pain into beautiful art, but they also want to be famous. And there’s so much money – so of course all the predators come in.” Cusack also condemned the business’ internal misogyny, describing it as “brutal” for women, who are deemed “old” before the age of 30 while men enjoy flourishing careers well into their 60s.

Jennifer Lawrence: Hollywood’s Harmful Beauty Standards

Jennifer Lawrence shot to fame as the rebellious Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games.” However, the actress had her own rocky road to fame, facing some cruel comments by people in power. Speaking at ELLE magazine’s Women in Hollywood ceremony, Lawrence recounted an uncomfortable experience where she and five other women had to stand in a lineup – almost completely undressed! She claimed she and her colleagues were subjected to an unrealistic diet regimen, with one actress previously terminated for “not losing enough weight fast enough.” Admitting she felt “trapped,” Lawrence felt pressured to “be treated a certain way” for the sake of her career. While “The Hunger Games” actress has since reached the A-list, her comments shed light on the demeaning treatment many up-and-coming performers are forced to endure.

John Boyega: Disney's Treatment of People of Color

John Boyega has been very vocal about his displeasure with how Disney handled his “Star Wars” character, Finn. Boyega – along with other cast members like Kelly Marie Tran – faced a tirade of racist backlash for their involvement with the franchise. Initially set up as a major character, Finn’s role dwindled by the end of the sequel trilogy. The actor called Disney out for promoting people of color without publicly supporting them without propping their parts up publicly. In an interview with GQ, Boyega blasted the company, advising them to not “market a black character as important and then push them aside.” His comments contributed to discussions about Hollywood’s lack of diversity while calling for studio executives to take meaningful accountability within the industry.

Patricia Arquette: Wage Inequality

Patricia Arquette won an Oscar for her deeply moving performance in Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood.” She used her speech to touch on wage inequality, calling for equal rights for women in every profession, not just Hollywood. Although the actress was lauded for using her platform for a valid cause, it came at a price. Speaking with “Entertainment Tonight,” Arquette revealed her bold stance led to her losing out on work. Clearly, not everyone in the industry was happy with her speech, which she was prepared for. The actress stood by her words, saying she “knew there was gonna be some drama, 'cause it would cost people money.” Taking a stand for what she believes in despite the risks? We respect that!

Rose McGowan: Supporting the MeToo Movement

Kickstarted by Tarana Burke in 2006, the MeToo Movement exploded in 2017 after allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein came to light. Actresses like Alyssa Milano, Ashley Judd, and Rose McGowan were among its biggest contributors. McGowan was instrumental in leading a larger wave of attention toward the movement. Her detailed account of Weinstein’s actions was a driving force for other victims to come forward. In addition to him, the actress called out Hollywood’s leading men for failing to stand up for women in the industry. Despite attempts to silence her, McGowan refused to back down. Her efforts – along with those of other prominent names – laid the foundation for systematic change to ensure powerful men would no longer escape justice.

Drake Bell: Illicit Practices Against Child Stars

Nickelodeon has faced scrutiny following revelations about toxic working environments on certain shows. In 2003, former dialogue coach Brian Peck was arrested for misconduct against one of the network’s stars. While the then-underage actor’s identity wasn’t disclosed at the time, the 2024 documentary series “Quiet on Set” revealed it as Drake Bell. In a tell-all episode, Bell spoke at length about the trauma he endured at Peck’s hands. The actor’s painful admission sent shockwaves in the industry, sparking long overdue conversations about the treatment of young actors. Although it led to a statement of support from Nickelodeon themselves, Bell wasn’t impressed and dismissed it as an “empty” response.

Gabrielle Union: Racial Discrimination

In 2019, Gabrielle Union was dismissed from “America’s Got Talent” after just one season. Labeled “difficult,” Union was quick to challenge this by filing a discrimination complaint against the show, alleging she was fired after speaking out against racism. In an interview with Variety, she detailed unresolved tensions with Simon Cowell and criticized guest judge Jay Leno’s offensive jokes against people of color. Variety also reported other troubling behavior, such as Union’s hairstyles being deemed “too Black” for the mainstream. Union ultimately settled with NBC, who acknowledged the “important concerns” she raised. Her refusal to be silenced drew attention to a case that might otherwise have been swept under the rug, sparking important discussions toward workplace equity and inclusivity.

Brendan Fraser: Misconduct in Hollywood

At the turn of the century, Brendan Fraser was considered one of Hollywood’s biggest rising stars. But the actor virtually disappeared by the next decade, and many assumed he’d made some bad decisions. After years of silence, Fraser decided it was time to speak out. In a 2018 GQ interview, he accused Philip Berk, the then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, of having sexually assaulted him in 2003. He believed clashing with such a powerful figure potentially contributed to him being essentially blacklisted. Though “frightened” about the reveal, Fraser stood by his words, saying, “I just know what my truth is.” With his Oscar-winning comeback and Berk’s eventual removal from the HFPA, we’re glad at least some justice has been served.

Corey Feldman: Hollywood's Mistreatment of Young Performers

Among one of the most prominent child stars of the ‘80s, Corey Feldman didn’t quite reach the big leagues as an adult. Instead, he became known for some scandals, along with fellow former child star Corey Haim, who passed away in 2010. Feldman attributes his spiral to the toxic culture in the industry. In an interview with The Guardian, he candidly claimed that misconduct against young actors is Hollywood’s “biggest problem.” Feldman also criticized the movie industry for lacking an active dialogue to address this issue. Despite limited support, Feldman doesn’t shy away from revealing the dark side of fame. Hopefully, his voice can shield future generations from the same trauma he endured.

Marlon Brando: Condemning Hollywood’s Stereotypes of Native Americans

From Westerns like “The Searchers” to animated films like “Peter Pan,” cinematic portrayals of Native Americans have been problematic for decades. At the 1973 Oscars, all eyes were on Marlon Brando to win the Best Actor award for “The Godfather.” However, he refused to attend as a form of protest, sending Sacheen Littlefeather to decline on his behalf. Littlefeather, met with a mostly hostile reaction from the audience, announced Brando’s stance on the fair representation of Native Americans in Hollywood. Although she didn’t read his prepared speech, it was later published by the New York Times. In it, the actor expressed his hope for the country to “believe in the inalienable rights of all people to remain free and independent.”

Is there an actor whose story resonated with you? Let us know in the comments.