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Julia Roberts is one of the most influential and iconic actresses to have ever gotten success in Hollywood. An Oscar-winner forErin Brockovich,Roberts is also seen as the one actress who single-handedly bridged the gap between the salaries of male and female actors.
This journey, began with 1990’sPretty Woman,which paid her just $300k for a role she eventually became iconic for. However, while she would go on to become the most well-paid female actor in the industry, her work onPretty Womanalso brought her backlash from feminists.
Julia Roberts seesPretty Womanas a ‘fairytale’!
Despite her success,Pretty Womanremains a defining yet divisive part ofJulia Roberts’legacy. Released in 1990, the film grossed over $400 million worldwide and earned Roberts her second Oscar nomination. However, the fairytale romance about a Hollywood s*x worker and a wealthy businessman faced criticism from feminists who argued it glorified prostitution.
“I was ready to say goodbye to this dream”: Dev Patel Felt Like Julia Roberts in ‘Pretty Woman’ After Jordan Peele Saved ‘Monkey Man’
Roberts, however, stood firm against such critiques. In an interview withThe Guardian, she said:
That movie was a fairytale. We did everything but put a glass slipper on. And I’ll tell you something else: for $3,000 a weekend, Richard Gere got a bargain.
WhilePretty Womantypecast her as the quintessential rom-com heroine, Roberts refused to be confined. She tackled diverse roles in films likeThe Pelican Brief(1993), where she held her own opposite Denzel Washington, andSleeping with the Enemy(1991), where she portrayed a survivor escaping domestic abuse. This kickstarted a journey that made her the highest-paid female actress in the industry.
Julia Roberts broke records withErin Brockovich
In an industry where male actors dominated pay scales, Julia Roberts shattered norms by becoming the first actress to command $20 million for a film—Erin Brockovich(2000). This achievement marked a significant moment in Hollywood, as her star power could only be compared to bigwigs such as Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.
“Where did you get this girl?”: Al Pacino Said No to Julia Roberts’ Career Defining Movie But She Blew His Mind in Their First Meeting
Her groundbreaking paydays didn’t stop there; she earned $25 million forMona Lisa Smile(2003), undoubtedly spurred by her Oscar win in 2001, and became just as huge as her male counterparts.
Hence, while the actress did have naysayers after her work inPretty Woman,Roberts became the single figure who comprehensively narrowed the gender pay gap in the industry.
Pretty WomanandErin Brockovichare available to stream on Amazon Prime.
Rishabh Bhatnagar
Editor/Reviewer
Articles Published :315
Rishabh Bhatnagar is an Entertainment and pop culture journalist/editor with Fandom Wire. He has more than 6 years of experience working for multiple major platforms and is himself an avid consumer of worthwhile content. A natural storyteller, Rishabh has a unique way with words and is always looking to improve, as a storyteller, writer, and a journalist.
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Erin BrockovichJulia RobertsPretty Woman
