America Ferrera Emotional Impact: America Ferrera’s impactful Barbie monologue resonated not only with women but also with a younger generation, as the actress discovered recently.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the 39-year-old actress shared an encounter with a young girl who used the viral monologue for a theater program audition. Ferrera found it both “hilarious” and “super sad” that an 11-year-old connected with the speech, already grasping its message about the challenges faced by women today.
The emotional weight of the monologue is highlighted in the film when Ferrera’s character, Gloria, consoles a distraught Barbie (played by Margot Robbie), expressing the seemingly impossible standards placed on women. The speech outlines the myriad expectations imposed on women, emphasizing the unrealistic demands of never aging, never faltering, and never being acknowledged for the countless sacrifices made.
This pivotal speech, serving as a catalyst for awakening the Barbies in Barbie Land from Ken’s patriarchal influence, touched not only the hearts of young girls but also resonated profoundly with mothers. Ferrera recounted instances where mothers approached her, sharing that their children questioned why they were moved to tears after watching the film.
Director Greta Gerwig, who co-wrote and directed the movie alongside Noah Baumbach, revealed the emotional impact the monologue had on both the crew and herself. During filming, Gerwig witnessed crew members pausing their tasks, deeply moved and overwhelmed with emotion by Ferrera’s delivery.
Gerwig explained that while she initially penned the monologue, it evolved into a collaborative effort between herself and Ferrera. Their joint dedication to refining the speech spanned months, exchanging ideas and tweaks via text messages until reaching the powerful final version showcased in the film. This process saw Ferrera performing the monologue around 30 to 50 times to capture its profound essence.
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Our Reader’s Queries
What is America Ferrera monologue about?
In just two short minutes, Gloria, a character in the film, shares with Barbie the daunting challenge of trying to meet society’s contradictory expectations for women. She explains, “You’re supposed to be slim, but not too slim. And you can’t admit that you want to be slim. You have to claim you want to be healthy, but at the same time, you have to be slim.”
What are some interesting facts about America Ferrera?
She shares her mother’s first name. Graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in International Relations. Began performing in local theater and school productions at just eight years old. Recognized as one of Time magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in 2006.
Is America Ferrera’s husband in Barbie?
In a quick guest appearance in the movie Barbie, Williams shows up as Gloria’s husband, who is not named in the film. At the start, he is shown trying to learn Spanish using Duolingo. Later on, he reappears when he and Gloria drive Barbie to the gynecologist.
Who wrote America Ferrera monologue in Barbie?
Gerwig, who co-wrote the film Barbie with her husband Baumbach, revealed that the famous monologue was initially her own work, but it ended up being a collaborative effort between her and Ferrera. Such powerful collaboration between the talented actresses and writers ultimately brought depth and authenticity to the iconic scene.