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Jodie Foster Says Early Oscar Nod Made Her 'Too Dangerous to Touch' in Hollywood

She tells Fresh Air her early Oscar recognition gave her deterrent leverage.

Overview

  • In an NPR Fresh Air interview, Foster says she was "saved" from sexual abuse because she had industry power by age 12, reinforced by her Taxi Driver Oscar nomination.
  • She recalls encountering misogynist microaggressions at work but says she avoided the "terrible experiences" others have reported.
  • Foster frames abuse in Hollywood as a function of power imbalances, saying predators target people who are younger, weaker, or lack power.
  • She adds that a "head-first" personality made her difficult to manipulate, and coverage notes past outreach to younger actors such as Natalie Portman.
  • The comments, published Jan. 14–15, prompted mixed online reactions, with discussion focusing on luck, privilege, and how individual experiences intersect with systemic risks.