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Scarlett Johannson Exclusive Interview- Sex, Marilyn Monroe, Secrets  

written September 19, 2006 

Scarlett Johansson has been dubbed the new Marilyn Monroe. With an incredible body and an eye for classic elegance when it comes to style, it is unsurprising that the 21-year-old has fast become a sex symbol.

But as well as being renowned for her beauty, Scarlett is also an accomplished actress.

Her film credits are littered with BAFTA, Oscar and Golden Globe nominations as well as being associated with Hollywood legends.

Scarlett’s performance, aged just 12, in the critically acclaimed ‘The Horse Whisperer’ alongside Robert Redford launched her to stardom.

Her stunning performance earned her recognition for her acting ability alone.

In 2003, aged just 18, Scarlett starred alongside Bill Murray in the Oscar-winning ‘Lost in Translation’ launching her sex-symbol status.

But it is the young actress’s unwillingness to play on her sexuality, her elegant, classic style which so flatters her natural beauty that has made Scarlett an icon.

She has never turned up on a red carpet in a dress slit up to the thigh or slashed down to the navel.

She graces premiers and award ceremonies in vintage dresses which pay homage to the classic Hollywood glamour which Scarlett admires in her own icons.

Of course, as the huge star she has now become, even her efforts to remain dignified have not kept Scarlett out of the gossip columns.

When she was still only 18 a story was circulate that Scarlett had boasted about having sex with ‘Traffic’ star Benecio del Toro, 39, in a lift at the Chateau Mermont hotel in LA.

Scarlett has been dating ‘Pearl Harbour’ star Josh Hartnett for over a year and the couple have just bought a house together in New York.

Hartnett, 28, is Scarlett’s co-star in her latest film ‘The Black Dahlia’ and plays her husband. They met on the set of the film, which includes some extremely steamy love scenes between them.

Scarlett’s roles since ‘Lost in Translation’ have become consistently sexier.

She played the innocent servant girl in ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ who was seduced by her master and became his muse. The part earned Scarlett her second Golden Globe nomination.

Woody Allen has made her his latest mood, casting her as the powerful seductress in ‘Match Point’ and she has just finished filming his latest film ‘Scoop’.

Allen has said of her: “Scarlett has it all. She’s a joy. It’s like I hit the lottery or something. It’s a treat to work with her.”

Scarlett has won the hearts of men and women alike.

Men are hypnotised by her sex appeal and women admire her ability to be sexy and dignified at the same time.

Most actresses of her age are starring in teen comedies or horror movies, being cast for their ability to look good in a bikini.

Scarlett does look stunning in a bikini, but she picks and chooses her roles to ensure that she is involved in plots with depth and acting alongside veteran actors she can learn from.

Scarlett aspires to follow in the footsteps of Hollywood legends like Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly and Catherine Deneuve, and though she may be young, she is almost a legend already herself.

Q. How do you feel about being a sex symbol?

A. It's a weird thing, you know. I have people coming up to me all the time telling me how sexy I am and that I am their favourite sex symbol. I've sort of got used to it.

“I know a lot of actresses are bothered by it or say they don’t feel sexy or whatever. As far as I am concerned it's a nice thing. It's better than people telling me that I'm unattractive or they think I stink.

Q. You’re renowned for your curvaceous figure, but would you ever conform and become a Hollywood size 00?

A. I don't understand this obsession for being stick-thin. I could never be like that – it's just not my body shape. I would never stress about losing my curves, because curves are what make women look like women. They are what make you look sexy.

Q. Are you worried that your attractiveness might distract from your acting?

A. As a woman I'm pretty comfortable with my sexuality. I think I was born with a few advantages and I make the most of them. What's wrong with that? I think it's really silly to go down that route where people just see you in one way only and you start to think that ‘being sexy’ is your career. I would never pose for a men’s magazine or do that whole party girl thing, because it doesn’t do you any good in the long run. It's sexier to have some reserve and show taste and intelligence. I admire old-style Hollywood glamour. It's why I dress the way I do – not tarty but classic.

Q: How do you feel about women who do use their sexuality to further their careers?

A. You have to draw the line so that you don't cheapen yourself. I wouldn't want to be photographed in a bikini on the beach; I'd rather be photographed doing something politically active like encouraging people to vote. I campaigned to get American’s voting in the last election and I'll be doing the same this year. I'm not a George Bush supporter and I'm eagerly awaiting the end of his term.

Q. You have a very different attitude to other girls your age. How have you managed to escape peer pressure?

A. I've always mixed with people older than me. I'm often told I appeal to older men more than guys my own age. I think that's pretty cool. Older men understand women more. They usually have better taste. I take it as a compliment.  I preferred older actors on screen when I was growing up. I was fascinated by Cary Grant, William Holden and Montgomery Clift. They were smart, beautifully dressed, intelligent-looking men with real presence. They were the ones I always liked the most. But my first ever crush was David Bowie in the movie Labyrinth. I actually met him a year or so ago, backstage at one of his concerts. I couldn't tell him he was my first love because I couldn't actually speak when he shook my hand. The only time I've ever been like that before was when I met Bill Clinton. Again, I just couldn't speak.

Q. Do you ever worry that your sex symbol status will eclipse your talent?

A. I am very careful about the films I make. You learn a lot from working with people like Woody, Michael Caine and Bill Murray. It's great to know that I'm going to look gorgeous and glamorous but there has to be some depth; something that makes you think.

Q. But do you ever think that an audience finding you sexy might distract them from the film?

A. Of course it's nice to be considered sexy, as a young woman in my prime. But I try not to think about the sexiness. I never think about it being distracting from a scene.

Q. Do you believe that wearing scarlet lipstick makes you feel more feminine?

A: I think it would make a man feel more feminine!

Q. Your mother, Melanie, is now your manager, did she encourage you to become an actress?

A. No one else in my family wanted to act, just me. It was my obsession. I had my share of rejections but I've worked hard to make a place for myself. I never stop working. It's probably not a good thing but I hardly ever let myself take a break. I take everything I do – from the way I act down to the way I look – very seriously.

Q. Are parts handed to you on a plate or do you still have to audition?

A. Occasionally. It does happen and I like it. I always like reading for parts. I think it keeps you on your toes. After all I'm an actor for hire and so I will never turn down the opportunity to audition for something.

If I want a role and I’m told you have to audition. I will say, 'All right. I'm going to get this part.' That's the mentality you have to have. It's like, ‘Test me. I can do it.'

Q: Did you take inspiration from any of your heroines for your part in ‘The Black Dahlia’?

A. I didn't want to model myself on any particular actress from that period. I didn't want to look like a movie starlet with big diamonds. Instead, I studied books for the different fashion styles of the period. I modelled my role on a glamourous housewife.

Q. The love scene in ‘The Black Dahlia’ between you and Josh has caused quite a stir. What was it like to make?

A. I'm glad everyone has enjoyed that. It was fun to do. I'm delighted people think it's hot. I think there's nothing better than a really good love scene. Obviously it was interesting doing that scene with Josh. But I have to say it wasn't particularly romantic. Shooting those sorts of scenes often ends up being funnier than anything else. You have about ten electricians chewing on sandwiches and staring at you as you writhe around. Then you have the director shouting orders at you to ‘move here’ and ‘put your hand there’ I'm glad it comes off as sexy because in reality it was more like taking part in an organised boxing match.

Q. Were you and Josh already an item when you filmed that scene?

A. We were friends. One of the reasons I wanted to do the film was to work with Josh. He's a great actor, with incredible charisma. He can hold a scene just by standing there. We got on well immediately, but then all of us on the film did. We were all together in Bulgaria for a few months, and that sort of experience makes you bond. I will admit it was a fun time.

Q. You have been a couple for a year now, was it a hard decision to move in together?

A. I like to keep things private. Relationships aren't easy. I believe in monogamy but it's hard when you travel, and actors travel a lot. It is an effort but I don't want to be in a relationship that isn't worth making that effort for.

Q. There are always a lot of rumours about you in the gossip columns. Do they ever upset you?

A. I wasn't really that bothered about the story about me and Benicio. It wasn't true but it was just ridiculous. I was bothered about the story about me being a lesbian. I got my lawyers involved because it was untrue and it hurt my friend, who has nothing to do with this business. So it was important to me to stop that story. You can get chewed up, I know that. People think I'm young, but I've been working in this industry for 14 years now. I know Los Angeles, I know there is a scene there where you can party and hang out with other actors but I don't choose that life. I have a strong work ethic. I am ambitious and I know what is good for me. I don't get sucked in. I also choose to live in New York for all those reasons. I don't do well in Hollywood. It's not my natural habitat. I prefer to be able to dip in and out. I think that keeps me grounded.

Q. Have you ever found fame hard to handle?

A. I’m not going to say it's hard being an actress, because I have an amazing life, there have been no tragedies and I have been lucky. But you have to work out what it's all about. Being a sex symbol is great – but if it's all you have it's not so great. I want to be around for a long time to come.

Q. You recently took a long holiday after a busy summer. What projects are you going to be working on next?

A. I was watching ‘The Shining’ the other day, and it would be really great to do a film like that. It would be nice to do a dark psychological drama.

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