A lifelong Fox News fanatic and young evangelical ("I see myself as an influencer in the Jesus space," she says), Kayla soon catches the eye of Ailes, who promises to promote herto on-air talent in exchange for sexual favors. (If you are not a fan of Jeanine Pirro, the Fox News host who recently wrote a book titled Liars, Leakers, and Liberals: The Case Against the Anti-Trump Conspiracy, Bombshell provides several scenes that will leave you feeling fully vindicated.). Then we'll see what happens.'" On her first day on The O'Reilly Factor, Kayla Pospisil meets fellow female staffer Jess Carr, and the two sleep together. "Were not revealing the people we talk to. Photos by Hilary Bronwyn Gayle SMPSP/Lionsgate and Drew Angerer/Getty Images. Nonfiction brings complications. For the purposes of "Bombshell," the narrative begins with Carlson's allegation, perhaps to portray the events from the point of the view of the main female characters. Right: John Lithgow in, Left: Douglas Brunt. John Lithgow as Roger Ailes is in the bunch, sporting a heavy dose of prosthetics. (That should explain the "Team Roger" T-shirt in her onscreen portrayal.). Beth Ailes, and Connie Britton as Beth Ailes. This content is imported from youTube. Marie Claire is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Malcolm McDowell portrays Rupert Murdoch, media mogul and owner of News Corp., whose many properties include Fox News. Related: Why is Fox News being sued again over alleged sexual harassment? After gaining a meeting with Ailes, Pospisil is sexually harassed and asked to pull her dress up beyond her waist. Rattled, she later relays the incident to Roger, wondering aloud whether it was nerves or if the man tampered with her drink. Margot Robbie plays a fictitious news producer named Kayla Pospisil. But realistically, that would have been a suicide mission for me and my career.. Film critic Manohla Dargis explored this in her New York Times review, writing, "[It's] about female employees who worked for a conservative political force who institutionalized the harassment of women. Then it would drift to this darker place., The production team screen-tested numerous cuts of Bombshell in the lead-up to its premiere (the movie will expand into wide release this weekend). She is one of the final whistleblowers to come forward before Ailes is brought down. And the lead women weren't the only actors who spent hours in the makeup chair. ", Review: Charlize Theron transforms into Megyn Kelly, blasts the Fox News patriarchy in 'Bombshell', 'I want my voice back': Gretchen Carlson calls for change on big 'Bombshell' day. The movie leaves out the fun detail that when it became clear that Ailes was on his way out at Fox, Estrich, meaning to send a statement to the Drudge Report, accidentally sent a draft of his $40 million separation agreement, which Drudge then published, and unpublishedthough some questioned whether this was a mistake or negotiating tactic. Starting with the makeup that transformed Theron into Kelly, the films pleasures and its indictments come in large part through its painstaking re-creations of real-life people. This piece takes what we know about Ailes from "Bombshell" and expands on it, giving us further understanding of what it was like for these women to work under Ailes and experience his manipulative and abusive behavioral streak. The objective: to ensure the films balance of levity and gravity in which strong female characters are shown accepting a baseline level of sexual degradation and coarse behavior to get ahead in the cutthroat, male-dominated world of cable news wouldnt turn off viewers. In "Bombshell," this is word-for-word in accuracy, butviewers are led to believe that Kelly discussed this question before the debate with Lachlan and James Murdoch. Despite writing to Fox News programming executive Bill Shine that she felt like she was being gradually cast aside on the show and the network due to the Wilson issue, she was let go by Roger Ailes a short time later. Ive never filmed anything as excruciating.. We would hear these stories about the spin, the director says. Some of them were still working at Fox. And Ugly Betty's Tony Plana transforms into talk show host Geraldo Rivera. But there is some truth to the way the character becomes one of Ailes victims in the film: Kayla first meets with Ailes alone in his office because she sees it as a chance to advance her career, whereas he uses it as a chance to harass her. Though the film did capture some of the situations of assault as well as the tense working environment, Zann emphasized that it was considerably worse when she was living through it. Kayla Pospisil, the ambitious young evangelical millennial producer (played by Margot Robbie) who works for Carlsons show when she is introduced, is a composite character invented for the movie. Kelly has heard rumors (correctly) about Ailes pressuring Kayla to perform sexual acts in exchange for favorable treatment at the network. Along with Kidman and Robbie, Theron also had a custom wigand all three headpieces cost the production between $7,000 and $10,000 apiece. The writer Jill Filipovic explained the scenes power like this: Reading about sexual harassment dulls it. Some of them really didnt want their names out there.". Watch the full trailer above. He listens for a moment. However, some viewers did feel that this was glossed over to make sure that audience members of different political or spiritual persuasions would still root for them. What are you, crazy?' Alanna Ubach (Coco, Legally Blonde) also makes a cameo as Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, who also defended Ailes. You\'ll receive the next newsletter in your inbox. Maybe we can take this shot out, take that breathing down. And the women on the team universally said, Do not touch a frame. John Lithgow, who plays Roger Ailes in Bombshell, had prosthetics applied to adjust his nose, cheeks, neck, hairline, and earlobes. Knowing that he. Her other panelists labeled her as a support system during the tumultuous time in real life. Both involve Margot Robbie, whose role is small here but pivotal and terrific. Nazanin Boniadi (Homeland, How I Met Your Mother) portrays journalist and anchor Rudi Bakhtiar, who alleged that she was fired from Fox News for complaining about sexual harassment. Kayla Pospisil, the ambitious young "evangelical millennial" producer (played by Margot Robbie) who works for Carlson's show when she is introduced, is a composite character invented for the . Ex-Fox News reporter Juliet Huddy commented on this: "I was told 'no pants'," says Huddy. Aileshis initial warmth growing colder as he issues commandsasks her to hike up the bottom of her dress. Megyn Kelly's Most Controversial Moments Ever (opens in new tab), Margot Robbie Wore Sharon Tate's Jewelry in 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' (opens in new tab). Photo illustration by Slate. Kayla is confused. Margot Robbie's character is an amalgamation of the many women that came out with allegations against Roger Ailes. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Kayla, though, suggests the limitations of the simulacrum. There is a quiet rage simmering throughout A Thousand And One, threatening to spill out onto the changing streets of Harlem, from the, If you were expecting to escape the Oscars with dry eyes, were sorry to say that you definitely didnt make it out unscathed. But it is also because the assault Bombshells camera depicts is not physically violent. Right: Ashley Greene. Another difference between the film and real life may be the intensity of toxicity that is portrayed. Idon't have anything.". The following article includes allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. As they say, it takes a village, and here, theres the clear villain in Roger Ailes, but theres the secretary who sent the young women into Ailes office fully aware of what was happening (the secretary is also singled out in the Showtime series); theres Ailes wife, Beth (Connie Britton), who looked the other way when she knew better; there are all the women like Megyn Kelly who experienced the worst ordeals of their lives and knowingly allowed it to happen to the women that came after them in order to protect their own careers; and there are the husbands and the boyfriends, who knew what happening but remained silent, too, because they didnt want to rock the boat, or endanger a salary. Yes and no. Bombshellpremieres in theaters everywhere December 20, 2019. Kelly could bust up the boys club at Fox, put herself on the right side of a snowballing media story, and rid herself of a boss who was no longer supportive of herall while maximizing her leverage in a contract negotiation.. A number of other recognizable stars appear in the film that we didn't get to see in the trailer. (Image credit: Lionsgate - Hilary B Gayle), The Ultimate Guide to Stylish PJs for Moms: Heres What to Buy and Gift This Mothers Day, Examining the Lengthy Fallout Between the Once Close Prince Harry and Kate Middleton, Three Mishaps You May Have Missed from Prince William and Kate Middletons Royal Wedding on This Day in 2011, The 'Barbie' Movie Poster Is Already This Year's Most Iconic Meme, Documentaries About Black History to Educate Yourself With, The 56 Best Musical Movies of All Time: Iconic Movie Musicals, 'Princess Diaries 3' Is Happening, And I Absolutely Won't "Shut Up" About It, 90 Halloween Costume Ideas Inspired By Movies and TV Shows, Megyn Kelly's Most Controversial Moments Ever, Margot Robbie Wore Sharon Tate's Jewelry in 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'. New York and California have also moved to prohibit NDAs in cases of sexual assault. The embattled Ailes asks thepolitician/attorney how to handle the fallout of his sexual harassment allegations. But any harassment situation has two people in the room and historically, the perpetrator has been a man. In "The Loudest Voice In The Room," Ailes is documented to have said (via Media Matters), "Move that damn laptop, I can't see her legs," while watching weekend anchor Kiran Chetry's show. The next day, Ailes begins sexually harassing Pospisil. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now. It has to fit a predetermined idea of what men think is pretty, more specifically what Roger Ailes thinks is pretty.". She also begins a sexual relationship with another woman (Kate McKinnon) on O'Reilly's staff. The Roys continue their downward spiral into total desperation as Matsson and their dead father loom over every decision they make. While we cannot be sure what is true, it appears that the women were not given much freedom in regards to their appearance. She is uncomfortable. For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for theMarie Clairenewsletter. Things you buy through our links may earnVox Mediaa commission. Along with Esquire, his work has appeared in NYLON, Vulture, and USA Today. Director Jay Roachtold IndieWire (opens in new tab)that Pospisil is based on a number of women who spoke to filmmakers about Ailes' harassment. Megyn Kelly also had no obligation to sacrifice her career to report Roger Ailes. Kayla is one of three women at Bombshells center; the other two are Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron) and Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman). In "Bombshell," the film outlines the first account of allegations as appearing in 2016 from Fox News anchor Gretchen Carlson. Right: Elisabeth Rohm. Left: Megyn Kelly. Right: Nicole Kidman as Carlson in. Her lawsuit against Ailes opened the . With Barry on the loose, all Gene, Fuches, Hank, and Sally can do is crumble as they wait to see who hes coming for first. Camerota, in between inappropriate advances from Ailes, was promoted and began anchoring shortly after joining Fox News. But it could never tip into exploitativeness, says Randolph, who claimed a 2016 Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for his work on the financial dramedy The Big Short. Carlson and Kelly both deny having involvement with the film, though Carlson has started a campaign about the necessity of throwing out NDAs in relation to cases of sexual assault and harassment. Perhaps one of the most infamous moments in the film arrives when Megyn Kelly isquestioning then-presidential candidate Donald Trump in 2015 on Fox News. Michelle Obama and Bruce Springsteen Tore Up the Stage with Glory Days. But "Bombshell" leaves the circumstances around her mystery illness intentionally vague. That makes sense, considering Kayla Pospisil isn't a real person, but rather a composite character based on not one but multiple very real people. 2023 Vox Media, LLC. "All the women who filed complaints about him who havegone public have been really brave in articulating specifically what happened to them," Randolph says. Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie star in the drama "Bombshell," about the women who took down Fox News' Roger Ailes. And while the film notes that there are a lot of similarities between Bombshell and real life, certain parts of the film were fabricated, including one of its lead characters. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Photo illustration by Slate. "Her being ideologically ferventlike a dedicated Republican, but a little sexually fluid and utterly morally sincere, that's based more on women in my life. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. The reality of this workplace would be extreme for those who experienced it and perhaps difficult to capture in one film. Obviously, the blonde hair and characterization lends the character to an obvious comparison to internet-star-turned-conservative pundit, Tomi Lahren. While it doesn't cover everything, "Bombshell" does a good job of addressing events that otherwise get overshadowed, and the film does still serve as an important beacon of hope for the wider movement. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. Rudy Giuliani (yes, he even weaseled his way into the Ailes scandal) is portrayed by actor Richard Kind. Bombshell is rendered in the style of Vice and The Big Short (its screenwriter, Charles Randolph, also wrote the screenplay for the latter). Bad Moments From Recent History, Recreated in Uncanny Detail, secret liberals within the walls of Fox News. Slate is published by The Slate However, Bakhtiar's story goes further than this, as she progressed from her first experience of sexual misconduct at Fox News to standing up alongside Gretchen Carlson. But McKinnons character allows Bombshell to do something else, as well: to serve up a scene in which Jess and Kayla are lying in Jesss bed, ostensibly having slept together. We learn that this is a rule enforced by Ailes and it was a bigger issue than explored in the film. Its not Megyn Kellys fault that Roger Ailes was a monster. Whos Going to the Met Gala Dressed as Karl Lagerfelds Cat? More recently, The Guardian reported in July 2020 on new allegations of sexual abuse and assault against former national correspondent Ed Henry and a few other big Fox personalities. The upcoming drama, which revolves around the Roger Ailes sexual harassment controversy and fallout at Fox, stars Charlize Theron as Megyn Kelly and Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlsonand they're dead-ringers for their real-life counterparts. Gretchen Carlson, and Nicole Kidman as Gretchen Carlson. Left: Susan Estrich. In 2016, Carlson sued Ailes for sexual harassment, which led more women, including Kelly, to come forward with allegations against the Fox News CEO. Sam and Joel reach a new level of intimacy. "It shows the degree in which Roger was one of the drivers of the Republican establishment. Here, too, are wide-ranging tragedies expressed through an aesthetic that verges on cartoonish. Murdochs sons, Lachlan and James, are played by real-life brothers, Ben and Josh Lawson, respectively. She is the product of a literature review, basically: Kaylas experiences in the film are summaries of several of the allegations made about Ailes in sexual-harassment lawsuits that Fox News employees brought against the network. It's unclear why Jay Roach and Charles Randolph decided to change this in "Bombshell," but Kelly was quick to debunk it. We learned really quickly what was OK.", "Bombshell" does not precisely ignore the fact that most of these women were and are conservative and right-wing, while some are also religious. As IndieWire notes, Charlize Theron alluded during anEllen DeGeneres Showappearance to Kayla being an amalgamation of real stories: "We used a lot of source material in finding the story and also spoke to a lot of women who were part of the story. The initial allegation of misconduct came from a Ailes biography in 2014, "The Loudest Voice in the Room" by Gabriel Sherman. Megyn Kelly, with her glib comments about Santa and blackface and thug mentalitywith all the work she did to build up the network that has helped bring America so lowis a notably difficult vehicle for discussions of justice. So, progress? There was no Kayla Pospisil, but Margot Robbie's character represents many others. The Stand up and give me a twirl sequence required a particular form of self-awareness. Her character is also informed by interviews Bombshells filmmakers conducted with many of the women who made those claims. It was about taking something from her, taking her dignity, and then having her feel ashamed enough that she doesnt want anybody to ever know about this, Bombshells director Jay Roach tells Vulture of the scene. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Though Margot couldn't copy the mannerisms, speech patterns, and looks for her character like Charlize and Nicole could, she's still getting a lot of attention for her part in Bombshell. March 20, 2023 did kayla pospisil sleep with roger did kayla pospisil sleep with roger Ailes did have friends and allies, too, including Rudy Giuliani (played by Richard Kind in the movie) and his lawyer, Susan Estrich (played by Allison Janney), despite her background as a staunch feminist. James and Lachlan really were at Sun Valley, the Idaho resort town and conference, when they found out about Carlsons lawsuit. Margot Robbie is getting Oscar buzz already for her role as Kayla Pospisil. She is the one whose arc, in the film, bends the most sharply. Many of them embody familiar Fox News talents. Jay Roach, writer Charlie Randolph, and Theron do a terrific job of acknowledging Kellys contributions to the ouster of Ailes while also damning her for contributing by her silence to the environment that allowed him to remain. But this is how it happens, and it takes someone like Gretchen Carlson who I am sure has her own host of problematic issues separate from this to build enough personal capital in order to sacrifice it (and her career) to finally put a stop to men like Ailes. Dustin is the founder and co-owner of Pajiba. But it might have been more revealing. As for Ailes hard-to-miss derogatory comment about James in the film (Tell me that mouth hasnt sucked a cock), it supposedly really happened, though a Fox spokesman denied it. The case against Ailes snowballed shortly after . Pospisil asked the fictional Kelly if she ever wondered what her public silence following her own harassment incidents meant to the women who came after her. Bombshell is now in theaters. Kayla Pospisil is a fictional person created solely for the film but does reflect . Left: Greta Van Susteren. Maybe. Rupert Murdoch, and Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch. All the nudity of porn, but with the plot and storylines of mainstream film. Throughout the film, Kayla must grapple with the fact that a man with a lot of power, a person whos the driving force behind a corporation she idolizes, sexually assaulted her. .css-1fgik18{color:#323232;display:block;font-family:NewParis,NewParis-fallback,Georgia,Times,serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0.3125rem;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;-webkit-font-smoothing:auto;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-1fgik18:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.0625rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-1fgik18{font-size:1.3125rem;line-height:1.2;}}T&C Culture Watch: On the Agenda for May 2023, 32 Celebrities Who Pulled Off Secret Weddings, 38 Photos of George Clooney Through The Years, All the Best Red Carpet Looks at Cannes 2022, 16 Classic Photos from Oscars After-Parties, How Judy Blume's Cameo Happened in 'Margaret'. But the main way the film wrestles with the complications of its own story is by eliding them. Nicole Kidman takes on the role of Gretchen Carlson, the Fox News anchor whose diminishing position at the network stands in contrast with Kellys. So to capture these situations, it takes both genders to think through how these things work. Likewise with Kayla: Her willingness to look the other way creates this dynamic, and she realizes at the end that it affects herself. The movie is also faithful in its depiction of the relationship between Kelly and Gretchen Carlson, who kicked off Ailes eventual ouster by publicly accusing him of sexual harassment: The two were collegial but not friends. As detailed in a 2016 New York Magazine feature, Carlson made her allegations public first, after experiencing years of sexual harassment, and her accounts were later confirmed by Kelly, who alleged that she had also been subject to Ailess predations, leading to a reported eight-figure settlement for Carlson and the executives ouster from the conservative-leaning cable giant he helped build. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. Malcolm McDowell plays mogul and longtime Ailes enabler Rupert Murdoch in the movie, and his sons, James and Lachlan, are portrayed by real-life Aussie brothers Josh and Ben Lawson, respectively. The best scene of Bombshell, the based-on-a-true-story dramatization of sexual harassment at Fox News, is one that never really happened. We hear his breathing grow increasingly, discomfitingly labored. Both Kayla and Jess are compositescharacters meant to tell the stories of women who could not speak for themselves. The dried-out husk of Kendalls soul is up, Roman is spiraling down, and the game of. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Robbieplays an ambitious, wide-eyed staffer named Kayla Pospisil. Right: Allison Janney. Kelly then comes forward with her own case of harassment, followed by more than 20 other women (via Vulture). Female Fox personalities like Jeanine Pirro and Greta Van Susteren also spoke up for Ailes eagerly.
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