Male Actors Decry Sexualization Double Standard in Hollywood

In September 2025, actor Harris Dickinson spoke out about the double standard he experienced when it comes to the media sexualizing actors in Hollywood. Dickinson, who starred in the erotic thriller "Babygirl," recently explained that he "struggled" with the film's press tour, during which he heard "deeply inappropriate" remarks from female fans.

"I think it's [become] OK to do this to male actors, weirdly, that's the problem," Dickinson said on the "Happy Sad Confused" podcast. He noted that it has become "acceptable to do that to younger male actors," whereas similar behavior towards female actors would not be tolerated.

Dickinson recalled being told "completely unacceptable" things during the "Babygirl" press tour, to which he struggled with how to respond. "You're expected to just laugh it off, and I think that's why I struggled with that experience," he added.

The actor emphasized that the approach taken by the film's director, Halina Reijn, was "something way more unique" than a simple "reductive" erotic thriller. However, Dickinson felt he had little control over the public's perception and the resulting "narrative" around the film.