Jodie Foster has reflected on her early rise in Hollywood, saying that gaining industry power at a young age helped protect her from sexual abuse at a time when many others were left vulnerable.
Speaking to NPR’s Fresh Air, the Oscar-winning actor said her first Academy Award nomination, received in 1977 for ‘Taxi Driver’ when she was just 14, placed her in a position of influence unusually early in her career. That status, she believes, discouraged predatory behaviour.
Foster said she has often questioned why she avoided the more severe forms of abuse that later came to light across the film industry. While she acknowledged experiencing everyday misogyny and workplace microaggressions, she believes her early success changed how people treated her. She explained that by the time she received her first Oscar nomination, she was seen as someone with enough power to damage careers if mistreated.
The actor also suggested her personality played a role. She described herself as emotionally guarded and difficult to manipulate, traits she feels made her a less appealing target for those who exploit vulnerability. Foster noted that predators often seek people who are young, powerless or easily influenced.
Foster made the comments while looking back on her career following an honorary award at the Marrakech International Film Festival last year. After her breakthrough in Taxi Driver, she went on to win two Academy Awards, for The Accused in 1989 and The Silence of the Lambs in 1992.
She added that her long career has helped build resilience and emotional control, qualities she says have shaped both her performances and her ability to navigate the industry.
