'We shouldn't just try and fix it for ourselves': Suffragette star Carey Mulligan insists the pay gap debate should extend beyond Hollywood
The pay gap conversation has never been more prominent in Hollywood, thanks to the likes of Jennifer Lawrence giving the issue an a-list voice.
And following the release of her film Suffragette, Brit actress Carey Mulligan is continuing the debate, insisting that we need to look belong Hollywood when fighting the discrimination.
The 30-year-old was speaking at an afternoon tea hosted by Peggy Siegal at Plaza Athénée in New York on Tuesday, where she's been promoting her big screen drama.
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Speaking out: Carey Mulligan is continuing the pay gap debate, insisting that we need to look belong Hollywood when fighting discrimination
Speaking to Vulture, Carey weighed in on the issues still affecting women in the 21st century, following her experience playing the fictional laundry worker turned activist Maud Watts, who is at the centre of Sarah Gavron's Suffragette.
'It's proven now, as opposed to just being a theory. We know that women are paid less,' Carey said. 'Our producer on the film talks about when she applied to be a dishwasher at her local restaurant and it was advertised as 50 pence for men and 30 pence an hour for women, and that was only in the '60s or '70s.'
'It's important that our conversation isn't just about Hollywood. It shouldn't be a self-serving thing; it should be used to have a wider conversation, because it's the same in all industries,' the actress, who gave birth to her daughter Evelyn in September, added.
Cause close to her heart: Speaking to promote her film Suffragette in New York this week, Carey weighed in on the issues still affecting women in the 21st century
Modern history: Carey, pictured at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Conversation Series on Wednesday, plays the fictional laundry worker turned activist Maud Watts, who is at the centre of Sarah Gavron's Suffragette
'If we're going to talk about it, we should use it as a platform, as opposed to just try and fix it for ourselves.'
The actress has had a busy week, also taking part in the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Conversation Series on Wednesday, which offers inspiring events with well-known actors to explore the process and profession of acting.
Carey also had the chance to discuss acting, the pay gap and the pitfalls of Hollywood when she took part in The Hollywood Reporter's annual Actress Roundtable, starring on the current issue of the magazine with seven other acclaimed actresses - Jennifer Lawrence, Cate Blanchett, Jane Fonda, Brie Larson, Helen Mirren, Charlotte Rampling and Kate Winslet.
Strong talk: 'It's proven now, as opposed to just being a theory. We know that women are paid less,' Carey said
Last month, Hunger Games star Jennifer wrote a piece for Lena Dunham's feminist arts newsletter Lenny Letter about her own experience of paying paid less in Hollywood, specifically on her Oscar-nominated film American Hustle.
Continuing the conversation with Carey and co for THR issue, Jennifer backed up Carey's point about extending the debate beyond their realm.
'There's always a backlash in everything that you do, but it's not going to stop or change anything,' she said of the reaction to her piece. 'And it's not only an issue in Hollywood. When you're asking about roles for men and women, men certainly have a longer shelf life. Men can play the sexy lead for 20 years longer than we can.'
'Across all fields, women are generally paid 21 percent less than men.'
Future goals: Carey gave birth to her first child, daughter Evelyn in September, and is keen to see a change for her generation
Hollywood hotshot: Carey also had the chance to discuss acting, the pay gap and the pitfalls of Hollywood when she took part in The Hollywood Reporter's annual Actress Roundtable this month
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