Olivia Wilde reveals the complicated emotions behind her ‘most beautiful woman’ title
The actress shares why being called the 'most beautiful woman' in the world came with complicated feelings
Olivia Wilde is opening up about the complicated emotions she experienced after being named the No. 1 woman on Maxim’s Hot 100 List.
The actress, 42, topped Maxim magazine’s annual list of the 100 most beautiful women in the world in 2009, but she admitted that the recognition came with conflicting feelings about beauty, identity and fame.
During an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Wilde recalled the moment her publicist told her she had received the honor.
“I remember my publicist called me and said, ‘You’re number one, do you want to accept it?’” Wilde shared.
The actress said part of her struggled to understand why she was chosen, especially because she had spent years feeling disconnected from traditional beauty standards.
“I understand this is the most f***** up thing in the world,” Wilde said, explaining that a younger version of herself who “never felt like” she fit those standards was surprised by the recognition.
Wilde said she felt uncomfortable with the idea that a person’s value could be tied to “our fickle, subjective definition of beauty.”
However, she also acknowledged that the title had a significant impact on her professional life, helping open doors in Hollywood.
“I got roles upon roles from that. It led to casting,” she said, adding that people also have to recognize their role in participating in industries that can focus heavily on appearance.
Wilde has previously spoken about finding more creative freedom behind the camera.
She made her directorial debut with the 2019 coming-of-age comedy Booksmart and said directing gave her a stronger sense of control compared with acting.
“Directing has been liberating in a way that is very profound,” Wilde previously explained, noting that actors often depend on others’ choices and interpretations.
She said the first time she called “action” on her own set gave her a feeling of independence because her value was connected to her ideas and creative instincts.
