Cate Blanchett Made an Inspiring Comment at Cannes but One Claim Isn’t Sitting Right With Fans
From her showstopping looks to her Oscar-winning performances, it’s safe to say Cate Blanchett is one of the biggest movie stars of this generation. And, much like fellow Hollywood powerhouse Emma Stone, she too has a movie premiering at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
And while her fans are eager to see her grace the screens again in the upcoming political satire Rumours, one of Blanchett’s recent comments has been rubbing fans the wrong way.
As she attended the United Nations press conference on May 20, Blanchett started by opening up about her experience working with refugees and urged filmmakers to champion their stories.
“People who are displaced have a voice, they have a story,” Blanchett, who sat alongside Cynthia Erivo, said, per Barron’s. “Their stories are so incredible and inspiring.”
“I’m always bewildered as to why more films don’t speak directly or obliquely to this,” she continued, adding that over 114 million people had been displaced around the world by violence and war. “The more we exclude these voices from our narratives, the more we’re othering them.”
“So I would love to say to people, when they are thinking about directors they might work with or stories that they might be interested in, just make a list of people who don’t look like you, who haven’t had experiences like you, and see what stories you might like to tell,” she told the room.
Later on, while Blanchett, who serves as a UNHCR envoy since 2016, was answering questions, she addressed the idea of a “white-savior complex.”
“I’m white, I’m privileged, I’m middle class, and I think, you know, one can be accused of having a bit of a white savior complex, but to be perfectly honest, my interaction with the refugees in the field and also in resettled environments has totally changed my perspective on the world,” Blanchett said, per Page Six.
“I’ve met some extraordinary people with extraordinary creative talents and amazing perspectives,” she continued.
And while we know Blanchett’s comments were made with good intent, there’s one part that left fans baffled. “I love Cate Blanchett, but in what world is she ‘middle class?'” one user wrote on TikTok alongside an Associated Press clip of the moment. “you think you’re middle class, Cate Blanchett?” another echoed.
According to The Richest, Blanchett is far from it having an estimated net worth of $95 million. Nothing middle-class about that!
“Cate made $13 million between August 2017 and August 2018, enough to place her among the world’s top ten most well-paid actresses,” the outlet stated.
Luckily some other fans brushed right past that slip-up and acknowledged the big picture instead. “Fantastic to hear her speaking out,” one TikTok user wrote. “This is sincere support of peace!” wrote another, adding the hashtag #welldone.
So is Blanchett middle-class? Probably not. Is she a supporter and cheerleader for refugees and their presence in the entertainment industry? Absolutely!
Before you go, click here to see all of the highest paid women in Hollywood!