Top 30 Celebs Who Shut Down Sexist Interview Questions

#30: Jessica Alba

You dont have to be snappy to stand up for yourself. During an appearance on Late Show with David Letterman, Jessica Alba spoke about a genuine concern she had on the set of her film Honey. She recalled feeling uncomfortable with a revealing costume her character had to wear, and was visibly uneasy even talking about it. However, Letterman decided to push her on the matter, questioning her on how skimpy her outfit was. The actress hit back with a lighthearted response, saying she felt nervous discussing that with him. Although that didnt stop the host from pursuing the topic further, Alba deftly turned the direction of the conversation to her experience of feeling objectified.

#29: Carmen Carrera

The RuPaul's Drag Race alum is a highly influential and beloved trans rights activist, model, and performer. Still, when she sat down for an interview with journalist Katie Couric in 2014, the questions seemed to focus less on her achievements and more on her body. Hiding behind a veil of curiosity, she brazenly asked Carrera about her physical characteristics. Almost immediately, she shushed the hostess, asserting firmly that she was not interested in discussing such a personal topic. Without wavering, she suggested they talk about her booming career instead. You go, girl!

#28: Hayley Williams

The pop-punk darling is not one to sit and take casual sexism. The Paramore lead vocalist has been dealing with this from a very young age. In a conversation with the entertainment outlet Vulture, she opened up about being subjected to inappropriate comments from fellow musicians when she was a teenager. Even back then, she had not hesitated to speak up. So, it was no surprise that when a radio show host asked her a crude question about her intimate life, she was hardly flustered. With a calm but defiant tone, she flat-out refused to share her private information on the air.

#27: Emma Watson

The Harry Potter mega-star has been an outspoken feminist for the majority of her life in the public eye. Her brand of feminism is well-informed and never performative. So, she knew exactly what she was doing when she posed in a gorgeous sheer top for Vanity Fair. However, critics took the photoshoot and created a narrative about how it was somehow hypocritical of her to look sexy when she so strongly condemns the sexualization of women. When the issue was brought up in an interview, it became clear that Emma had been waiting to hit back. She promptly educated trolls about the true meaning of feminism and the liberation it embodies, but with a touch of classic Emma Watson sass. Now, thats queen behavior.

#26: Nicola Coughlan

Theres a reason why this Bridgerton actress is known as the peoples princess. Her turn as Penelope Featherington on the show is the perfect manual for how different body types should be represented in film and television. In fact, Nicola was insistent about Penelope having intimate scenes that celebrated her physique. During a promotional event, a reporter called this creative decision brave, as if to insinuate that plus-sized women arent generally confident about their bodies. However, the Irish icon had the cheekiest clapback. With that, she didnt just emphasize that she loved her body, but also empowered other women. This is one of many reasons why we love Nicola!

#25: Laverne Cox

Throughout her career, this Daytime Emmy Award-winning actress has worked tirelessly toward making Hollywood a more inclusive and respectful space for transgender performers. Needless to say, the journey wasnt easy, as she had to deal with rampant transmisogyny and discrimination along the way. In one instance, Laverne was on The Wendy Williams Show, where she was casually asked if she had undergone breast augmentation. Considering Wendys reputation for being problematic, this question wasnt as shocking as it was disappointing. Cox politely answered that she would be open to divulging such details privately but not on national television. She further added that because focusing on the physical aspect of transitioning tends to diminish trans peoples lived experiences, she would not be doing that.

#24: Kristen Wiig

As one of the most talented women in Hollywood, the Saturday Night Live star is rarely ever left speechless, especially for the wrong reasons. Yet, one journalist managed to catch her off guard when he asked her about a nude scene, which get this, wasnt even in the movie she was promoting at the time! Wiig was joined by Bill Hader for this interview about their film The Skeleton Twins, and he was quick to clarify that they were not unclothed in it. However, the comedienne didnt just let the question go. She turned the joke on the presenter, leaving him red-faced for not doing his research.

#23: Mariah Carey

The Songbird Supreme has been the subject of intense scrutiny from the media ever since she stepped into the spotlight. During this time, she has had several unsavory experiences with interviewers who have crossed the line of decency with her. Among them, Howard Stern might take the cake for being the most blatantly offensive. In an interview with a young Mariah, he not only asked her if she was wearing underwear but also commented on her dressing sense, likening it to an adult entertainers. Despite her repeated objections, he continued to sexualize her, making the whole interaction deeply uncomfortable. However, instead of storming off, the Fantasy singer challenged his opinions until he changed the subject.

#22: Janet Jackson

In the nineties, this pop legends sex symbol status was treated as a free pass to objectify her. The infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show scandal, where Janet suffered a wardrobe malfunction accidentally caused by Justin Timberlake, only made matters worse. This became obvious when she was interviewed by David Letterman, and he made it his sole purpose to humiliate her over the accident. The ever-elegant songstress softly told him that shed rather not revisit the situation, but he persisted, constantly asking whether she had planned the mishap. It was painful to watch her try to deflect his line of questioning, but she maintained her poise until he relented.

#21: Britney Spears

If theres anyone in showbiz who deserves an apology from the industry, it is the princess of pop. She started working in the entertainment field when she was a young girl, and by the time her music career took off, she was still a minor. However, that didnt stop the media or the paparazzi from sexually commodifying her. When she was only seventeen, Dutch presenter Ivo Niehe felt no shame or hesitation in asking her about her body or her take on breast augmentation. However, Britney gave a stern answer, denouncing the press for spreading false rumors about her getting such an operation done. She clarified that she had no negative opinion about the procedure but didnt want to promote it either.

#20: Megan Fox

In the 2014 film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Megan Fox played the iconic character April O'Neil. By taking on such a well-known part, she was inevitably opening herself up to some level of critique. During this interview about the project, Fox was asked about whether now was the time for more women to be taking on leading roles in superhero films. She acknowledged that the question was inane, because how could anyone answer anything but yes? This would have been a good opportunity to ask some more thoughtful questions that would have garnered more nuanced and compelling responses.

#19: Amy Schumer

While promoting her film, Trainwreck, Amy Schumer did an interview where reporter Matt Tilley asked her if Americans use the word skanky when discussing her character in the film. That word is an offensive one no matter which side of the pond you hail from, and Schumer didnt take the line of questioning lying down. She managed to hurl insults at both his mother and wife and made it clear that what he was suggesting was inappropriate. Luckily, in the years since she was promoting this film, the entire media industry has learned a lesson or two about misogyny.

#18: Charlize Theron

At the Cannes Film Festival, during a panel interview about Mad Max: Fury Road, Charlize Theron was asked where she drew feelings of rage from in order to portray the character of Furiosa. She had a snarky response at the ready, schooling the interviewer on the fact that women experience strong feelings of anger, just like men do. Considering how much sexist dialogue was already surrounding the expansion of the Mad Max franchise, we commend Theron for staying as strong in real life as she was in the movie.

#17: Blake Lively

While on the red carpet for Varietys Power of Women: New York luncheon, where she was promoting the Child Rescue Coalition, Blake Lively was asked a question that had nothing to do with the cause she was there to bring attention to. An interviewer from The Today Shows online branch asked Lively what her power outfit was and she snapped back about how clothing should not be what theyre focusing on. She demanded whether the reporter would have asked a man the same question, and weve got to assume that they wouldnt have.

#16: Lady Gaga

All the way back in 2009, when Lady Gaga wasnt yet the mega-star she is now, she was asked a question about whether shes scared that the provocative nature of her songs would overshadow her musical talent. She responded confidently that men who write songs about sex are called rock stars, while she gets asked questions about whether it will negatively affect her image. She finished by asserting that shes just a rock star, and theres no way anyone could deny that, especially now after more than a decade at the top of the music industry.

#15: Simone Biles

While most of the other celebrities on our list are actors or musicians, this Olympic athlete is also not immune to receiving sexist questions. Simone Biles appeared on a season of Dancing with the Stars, and after one of her performances host Tom Bergeron questioned why she wasnt smiling when receiving compliments about her performance. Come on Tom, havent we all learned by now not to ask women to smile? Luckily, Biles had the perfect response ready, saying that smiles dont win you gold medals. Aint that the truth!

#14: Mark Ruffalo

Scarlett Johansson is used to receiving sexist questions while promoting Marvel movies (more on that later) but in this Cosmopolitan UK video, the interviewer decided to flip the script and let Johansson take the serious questions, while Mark Ruffalo was offered the queries typically asked of female stars. He played up just how ridiculous these standard questions are when asked about his red carpet wardrobe, the most flattering poses for photography, and his diet and exercise regimen. From here on out, lets just ask everyone the same questions no matter their gender, okay?

#13: Jennifer Aniston

It seems like there have been Jennifer Aniston pregnancy rumors on the cover of tabloids in the line at the grocery store for pretty much decades now. Aniston has understandably tired of the persistent question she receives about her desire to be a mother, and explained in an interview with Allure, saying, I dont like [the pressure] that people put on me, on women that youve failed yourself as a female because you havent procreated. I dont think its fair. She went on to say that being maternal doesnt simply need to be about having biological children, and that she is mothering to her friends, dogs, and friends children.

#12: Taylor Swift

While being interviewed by Germanys DPA, Taylor Swift was asked whether her 30th birthday would prompt her to settle down with a man. She refused to answer, saying, I really doubt men get asked the same question when they turn 30. Swift seems like something of a magnet for sexism, and while on the Grammys red carpet, Nancy ODell of Entertainment Tonight commented on Taylors physique, saying shed be going home with lots of men... to which Taylor replied that shed simply be hanging out with her friends and going home to her cats. Me-ow!

#11: Rihanna

During a red carpet interview at the launch of her Rogue Man fragrance in 2014, Rihanna was asked by a reporter what shes looking for in a man to wear her new product. The multi-talented star took issue with the very question itself, responding confidently that shes not looking for a man, period. The question was phrased bizarrely, making it unclear whether the journalist was asking RiRi about her love life or her business venture. Either way, the starlet was having none of it when she gave this sassy response.

#10: Serena Williams

Before she retired, this tennis player once had the most number of singles, doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam titles among active players COMBINED and was ranked World No. 1 eight times between 2002 and 2017. So its no exaggeration to call Serena Williams skilful, talented and graceful when shes on the court. But as the only tennis player male or female - to win 3 of 4 Grand Slams at least 6 times each as well as the only one male or female to earn over 10 Grand Slam Singles in 2 different decades, its also clearly no exaggeration to call her one of the greatest athletes of all time, period. So when a reporter asked her what its like to be one of the greatest female athletes of all time, she quickly and admirably told the journalist whats what.

#9: Tom Hardy

When details about the Mad Max reboot first came to light, a lot of conversation stemmed from the seemingly female-centric take on a formally ultra-macho franchise. This, naturally, generated a backlash online from people wanting to boycott the film because of its alleged feminist undertones. During a press conference in Cannes that focused on Fury Road, the films male lead, Tom Hardy, was asked how he felt about all the women in the movie. His response was simple, but incredibly effective.

#8: Keira Knightley

After being honored with a Hollywood Film Award for her portrayal of Joan Clarke in 2014s The Imitation Game, Keira Knightley was answering the perfunctory backstage questions. One reporter asked a question that has been posed to successful women for decades: how she manages to balance her career and her personal life, a question rarely, if ever asked of male actors or politicians. Knightley was not going to let it slide though, and followed up with a question of her own.

#7: Emma Stone

While the mid 2010s saw Teen Vogue shift towards more cutting-edge political coverage, back in 2012 they hadnt exactly hit their stride in terms of their progressive slant. After starring together in The Amazing Spider-Man, Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield were interviewed for the magazine. Emma was asked about her hair color at one point, and in response began to question why she frequently experienced these sort of superficial questions. When Andrew interjected, she said, You get asked interesting, poignant questions because you are a boy, and shut the whole thing down.

#6: Lauren Conrad

Lauren Conrad managed to turn a string of reality TV shows into a full-fledged career as a lifestyle guru. She has designed her own fashion line and published a series of novels. Thats why her response to a question posed on a radio show was so delightfully perfect. A listener asked what her favorite position was and after a moment of contemplation answered, CEO. It even took the radio hosts a minute to catch on to what she had just said.

#5: Scarlett Johansson

ScarJo is no stranger to sexist interview questions, and they came in on a seemingly constant basis while she did press for her role in the Avengers movies. For instance, there was this press conference in which Robert Downey Jr. was asked about character development and Johansson was asked about her fitness regime. Instead of responding, she questioned why her co-stars got the interesting questions while she was only asked about her figure. Similarly, she seems to be asked quite often about the undergarments she wears under her Black Widow costume. Does the Hulk have ripped up CGI tighty-whities under his ripped up CGI pants? We may never know.

#4: Rowan Blanchard

The Girl Meets World star had the perfect response when a red carpet reporter once asked her if she had any dieting tips for other teenage girls. Blanchard, who was only 13 at the time, told Elle that she questioned whether theyd ever ask about dieting tips for teenage boys. She went on to assert that she does not diet and that if she has one food related tip for fans its that, 'if you don't order fries, you'll probably be mad.' Poignant, and true.

#3: Anne Hathaway

After having a much reported upon wardrobe malfunction at the premiere of her 2012 film, Les Misérables, Anne Hathaway sat down with the Today Shows Matt Lauer. He jumped right into things by asking her what was the lesson learned. Rather than allowing herself to be blamed, she turned his question around and put the blame squarely on the photographer and the population wholl pay for such an image. Unfortunately, this wasnt the only time Hathaway was faced with sexist questions. While doing press for The Dark Knight Rises, Anne Hathaway was asked about her Feline Fitness Routine. After trying to deflect the line of questioning away from her Catwoman costume and her body, she finally had enough of his persistence and she turned the question right back on him.

#2: Ariana Grande

The Side to Side singer was not going to take any gendered questions when she was participating in a radio interview in the mid 2010s. The hosts of the show - who all happened to be male - asked her if she had to give up one thing - her cell phone or her makeup - which it would be. She responded right away by letting them know she thought the question was a sexist one. As the interview went on however, they continued to put an emphasis on things that girls do and she eventually had to lay down the law for them.

#1: Helen Mirren

Today, feminism is no longer a dirty word and many stars proudly claim it. In 1975 however, speaking up about issues of sexism was much more difficult - and not always as well received. Helen Mirren appeared on Michael Parkinson's iconic chat show early in her career and found herself cornered into an uncomfortable conversation. Parkinson seemed to focus on her body rather than her abilities as an actress, and while the clip is uncomfortable to watch, seeing Mirren own him is totally worth it.

Which of these no-nonsense celebrities inspires you the most? Tell us in the comments section down below!