Scarlett Johansson candidly shares intimate insights into her remarkable journey in the entertainment industry, her perception of her own beauty, and her perspective on the pervasive impact of social media. In an engaging conversation with Jane Gordon, Johansson delves into these personal topics, revealing a side of herself rarely seen.
As I sit in a cold and desolate Parisian morning, waiting to converse with the proclaimed “sexiest woman alive”, my mind races with a plethora of inquiries. Could it be true, as Domenico Dolce suggests, that Scarlett Johansson embodies every essence of womanhood? Does this 29-year-old actress, as Dolce and his fellow esteemed designer Stefano Gabbana claim, truly captivate with her seductive gaze? And in reality, are her radiant eyes as mesmerizing as the gleaming Christmas lights adorning the prestigious Avenue Montaigne?
Finally, the appointed time arrives, although I am early by thirty minutes. As I come face to face with the petite and enigmatic actress, who stands just under five feet and three inches tall, I am torn between her luminescent green eyes and her lips, adorned with a vibrant berry-red hue, as the source of her captivating allure. As she speaks in a deep, velvety tone that is punctuated by her hearty laughter (which she indulges in frequently), another layer of her beauty, described by Stefano as “multidimensional”, unfolds before me.
When Scarlett Johansson arrived at the screening of the film “Her” at the Rome International Film Festival, her unique voice captivated viewers and led to predictions of her receiving an Oscar nomination for her role as Samantha, a computer-generated voice in the film. This role marks an opportunity for Johansson to potentially receive the first-ever nomination for a speaking-only role. With her eyes also being a focal point of her beauty, often described as compelling, I asked Johansson if she could see herself being nominated for a role in a silent movie.
Johansson expressed her preference for films with minimal dialogue, as it allows her the freedom to interpret her performance. She mentioned her enjoyment of films like “Girl With a Pearl Earring” and “Under the Skin” that had limited dialogue, as they allowed her to convey emotions through nuanced expressions in her eyes. I took this opportunity to ask Johansson if she believed these nuances were inherently feminine and if she identified with other “womanly nuances.” Rather than answering directly, she responded with laughter, implying that there might be truth to the idea. It was evident that Johansson and Dolce and Gabbana, the designers she has worked with for years, share a common understanding. She spoke highly of their shared ideas and ideals.
I inquired if their shared understanding was a reason why Dolce and Gabbana chose her as the face of their new fragrance, The One. Johansson playfully wondered aloud why she was “The One,” explaining that actors often possess a strong belief in their own significance. She attributed this ego to their success in certain aspects of their lives, while acknowledging the lack of success in others.
Despite her immense success in various areas of her life, with the exception of the end of her marriage to Ryan Reynolds, Johansson has overcome setbacks and found happiness in her engagement to Romain Dauriac, a French businessman. When questioned about language barriers in their relationship, Johansson revealed that she studied Spanish for six years, which unfortunately seemed to hinder her French-speaking abilities. However, she reassured us that her fiancé, Romain, speaks English well. With a throaty laugh, she added that words are not always necessary in their relationship.
Johansson, hailing from a family of Danish heritage, is a proud New Yorker. Her parents, Danish-born architect Karsten Johansson and producer Melanie Sloan, played influential roles in her life and career. Johansson has three siblings, including a twin brother named Hunter, and her mother became her manager following her acting debut at the age of nine in the movie “North” in 1994.
Scarlett’s journey in the entertainment industry began when she landed her breakthrough role in 1998’s The Horse Whisperer. However, her parents had already separated by that time. Despite the split, Scarlett’s mother continued to guide her career, especially when she transitioned from a child actress to an adult movie star in Sofia Coppola’s Lost in Translation, a role that earned her a Best Actress Bafta. However, in 2009, while she was married to Ryan Reynolds, Scarlett made the decision to fire her mother as an act of asserting her independence.
Scarlett has often described herself as having “Danish looks” with a “Jewish mind.” She attributes her stark minimalist eye to her father, which she considers a very European quality. While she identifies herself primarily as a New Yorker, she also finds comfort in Europe, particularly in Paris, which is the hometown of her fiancé, Romain.
In recent paparazzi photos, Scarlett can be seen riding around Paris on the back of Romain’s scooter. Some may perceive this as a brave act, considering the notorious driving style of Parisians. However, Scarlett dismisses this notion, stating that using a scooter is the best way to get around the city. In fact, she believes that taking a taxi in Paris requires more bravery than riding on a scooter.
Being an A-list movie star and a two-time winner of Esquire magazine’s Sexiest Woman Alive title, Scarlett is no stranger to the paparazzi’s attention. Just recently, Luc Besson, director of the film Lucy, publicly criticized the paparazzi for their intrusive behavior towards Scarlett during filming in Taiwan. Despite this, Scarlett takes a more philosophical approach to media intrusion.
While in Paris with her fiancé Romain Dauriac, Scarlett Johansson shared that she often walks around by herself because her short stature makes her go unnoticed by people. In her younger days, she used to worry about her visibility and even tried to disguise herself. However, as she has grown older, she has become more comfortable being herself. She emphasizes that she does not have an entourage and would only consider having a bodyguard if there was a genuine concern for her safety. The only downside to her fame is that it limits her choice of clothes. Scarlett confesses that she often sees outfits she would love to wear if she were anonymous. Despite this, she appreciates the opportunity to admire and endorse those styles through her friends. She also expresses her love for the little black Dolce Gabbana dress she wore in Martin Scorsese’s ad for The One, and her enjoyment of working with Martin and her co-star Matthew McConaughey.
Scarlett’s wit and comedic talent have been praised by several of her past co-stars. Woody Allen, who cast her in multiple films including Match Point and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, commented that she was even funnier than him. When asked if she considers herself the funniest woman in Hollywood, Scarlett humorously responds that it depends on the time of day, but she does believe she is hilariously funny due to the inherent ego that comes with being an actress.
Despite her success, Scarlett does not display any signs of an overwhelming ego. She appears grounded in reality and more interested in living a normal life rather than seeking attention through social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. In fact, she actively avoids engaging in any form of social media.
Scarlett jests that she rejects social media because her thumbs and fingers are too large for it. In reality, she prefers to stay connected with her close friends through phone calls rather than updating her communication methods. While she acknowledges the value of social media for her mother, who has reconnected with old friends through Facebook, Scarlett has no interest in connecting with people from her high school days whom she hasn’t stayed in touch with. Her friends, especially her girlfriends, play a significant role in her life, some of whom she has known since primary school.
Recently, pictures from Scarlett’s high school years were published, showcasing her beauty and elegance even as a teenager. However, she admits to having some terrible pictures of herself, which she keeps in a separate file on her computer, though it’s unsure whether she’s being entirely truthful about this.
Despite her political engagement and charity work with Oxfam, I couldn’t help but ask Scarlett about her claim of being skilled at craft-making. She clarifies that while she enjoys making jewelry, baking, and creating cards, she isn’t particularly fond of knitting or felt crafts. Being compared to Martha Stewart is not something she aspires to, leaving that title for someone else.
When questioned about her love for cheese, Scarlett explains that she still adores it, though she no longer consumes it due to its negative effects on her body. She takes care of her body by giving up cheese and regularly going to the gym, as these are necessary aspects of her job in the entertainment industry. However, she believes being labeled as the “sexiest woman alive” does not limit her acting career’s future, as long as she challenges herself and takes on diverse roles, similar to how Brad Pitt has successfully navigated his career.
Scarlett has always aspired to be a character actor, rather than playing the typical romantic lead or romantic comedy queen roles. While she acknowledges the viability of such roles and their appeal, her true passion lies in portraying diverse characters and challenging herself as an actor.
Participating in the filming of Dolce Gabbana’s The One commercial alongside Matthew McConaughey, Scarlett Johansson shares her aspirations and future plans to not only act but also direct films. She emphasizes her strong work ethic but expresses contentment in her personal life. Scarlett is currently deeply in love with her fiancé, Romain, a former journalist turned advertising professional. Their connection originated through tattoo artist Fuzi Uvtpk, who is rumored to have given them matching tattoos. Although Scarlett possesses a collection of tattoos, she currently has no intentions of getting more in the near future.
In the peaceful moments when work doesn’t keep her away, Scarlett enjoys a normal life with Romain in their home in Paris. While Romain dabbles in cooking, she takes pleasure in cooking more frequently as it brings her joy. She values Romain’s support and appreciates that he enjoys her culinary creations.
Despite her drive for success and ambition, Scarlett does not dismiss the idea of starting a family. She expresses her desire to have her own family and acknowledges that the timing is always a challenge. However, she believes that, like anything else, planning is essential. Having had a diverse and fulfilling 20-year career, Scarlett feels fortunate and open to the idea of planning for a family without feeling like she’s missing out on her professional life.
At present, Scarlett’s family consists of Romain and their two dogs, who now reside with them in Paris. As our interview concludes, Scarlett’s eyes light up as she enthusiastically shares stories about Maggie, her beloved chihuahua, and their newest addition, Pancake, a white jack russell mix that a friend discovered roaming the streets of Los Angeles.
Scarlett, who is four years old, can be seen in a photo with her mother, former step-grandmother, father, and older siblings. She shares a funny anecdote about her pets, Pancake and Maggie, who are both quite unpredictable and seem to prefer other people over her. Scarlett’s love for animals is well-known, and she recalls her best Christmas present when she was eight years old. Despite her parents initially saying no to a pet lizard, they surprised her on Christmas Eve with a glowing terrarium containing a lizard. She was ecstatic and cherished her pet for eight years. With Christmas approaching, Scarlett wonders how her partner, Romain, could possibly top that memorable gift. She playfully suggests a baby boa constrictor or an infant alligator, beautifully wrapped in scarlet ribbon, as potential surprises.
You can find the Dolce Gabbana The One perfume at Harrods or on harrods.com for a price of £58 for a 50ml bottle. Additionally, the stunning Scarlett Johansson is the representative for Dolce Gabbana Makeup’s Passioneyes Duo Mascara, which can only be purchased at Harrods.
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Further visual material: Exclusive glimpses from the production team of Peter Linbergh’s The One.