This actor hates musicals and says she will never be in one. She accepts her own Razzie Awards for Worst Performance (and her Best Actors from the Oscars). She has lived in Austria and Germany. She is also one of the 100 most influential people of the world.
Sandy!
Sandra Bullock has done TONS with her career. Despite being criticized for making “rotten film after rotten film after rotten film,” she certainly has done a lot for women in film. She’s been a People Woman of the Year (2010) and has received the prestigious Women in Film Crystal Award for her work in the industry. The Blind Side (which is totally awesome!), was the first movie to feature one female actor’s name solo above the title…as in she lead the film! That, to me, is huge. Look at all movies (ever created, basically), not only will you not see just one woman’s name alone, but even if the lead is a female actor, more than likely a man’s name will be featured with her name AND it will be in front of her name (and not just for the dramatic effect of having her name in the center).
(Do you see what they did there? 🙂
But Sandy’s career does not stop with acting. In addition to owning her own production company (where she hires some members of her family), she also owns 3 other businesses. Most entrepreneurs will tell you owning one business is challenging…talk about 4. Sandy is also a regular contributor to the Red Cross. She has donated at least $4 million toward various disaster relief programs. She also did a PSA to urge people to sign a petition supporting clean up from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. It’s nice to see someone using their exorbitant salary to help others. I’m not saying everyone should or must do the same (I don’t know what I would do with a gabillion dollars). But it speaks to her compassion.
I think the main reason for nominating Sandy as a TAW is her character. First of all, can I just say that anyone who says the following is ok in my book:
The Acadamy Awards shouldn’t even nominate Meryl Streep anymore. She should just be given an award every year. There should just be the Meryl Streep category.
You know I love Meryl.
(That just makes me laugh)
But another (and questionably more relevant) thing she said is this:
Why do you need one? I don’t understand why there needs to be a love interest to make women go see a film. I think society sort of makes us feel that way – that if you don’t have a guy, you’re worthless.
BOOM! (I wonder how she feels about Twilight…)
Either way, for me, Sandra Bullock has been a wonderful female influence. She demonstrates that baby steps (in terms of feminism) really can have a lasting and productive impact. Sure, she still makes romcoms and sure, they can be stereotypical. But, through her recent development as an actor, her strong presence as a female lead, and through her personal character, Sandy is a great role model for young women. What do you think?
ShoutOut! James Madison University 