Jennifer Aniston has been slammed online after claiming that Hollywood is full of people who are ‘famous for doing nothing’.
The 53-year-old actress sat down for an interview with Pam & Tommy star Sebastian Stan and caused controversy with her remarks.
Angry fans then accused Aniston of trying to ‘gatekeep’ the Hollywood elite.
During the interview, Aniston reflected on how the likes of Monica Lewinsky and Paris Hilton’s popularity were shaped by the ‘new’ culture.
The two were discussing the infamous Tommy Lee Jones and Pamela Anderson tape leak in 1995, leading the ‘Friends’ star to discuss internet culture.
“It was right at the time when the internet really shaped a new culture about people becoming famous,” she expressed.
“This thing of people becoming famous for basically doing nothing but yet having these incredible careers. And then women’s reputation… I mean — Paris Hilton, Monica Lewinsky, all those,” Aniston added.
Paris Hilton’s private tape showing herself and ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon was leaked on the internet in 20014, while Monica Lewinsky was involved with former President Bill Clinton in 1998 after their two-year relationship became known.
“When you look back at the ’90s, you do see how many things have happened in that decade. Even the O.J. Simpson thing was actually the beginning of 24-hour news,” Stan responded.
Aniston then said: “I feel so lucky that we got a little taste of the industry before it became what it is today… More streaming services — you’re famous from TikTok, you’re famous from YouTube, you’re famous from Instagram. It’s almost, like, it’s diluting the actor’s job.”
But her remarks quickly sparked outrage from social media users who felt her thoughts about getting popularity were ironic because her parents are Days of Our Lives star John Aniston and late actress Nancy Dow.
One Twitter user wrote: “They’re so mad they can’t gatekeep the title of celebrity to stay in their weird nepotism Hollywood elite.”
Another wrote: “Jennifer Aniston needs to calm down with her opinions when her nepotism got her into the industry and now she continues to make $20million per year just off syndication from a show that ended decades ago.”
But others have defended the actress, claiming she was right to say that the internet made it easier for people to get roles traditionally given to actors.
“She kind of has a point though. Trained actors and those just coming out of training have been getting sidelined for influencers with no training whatsoever for a while now. And it’s happening across the board, no matter the race/class,” one person said.
“She’s not wrong… the early 00’s was revolutionizing. You actually had to have talent,” another wrote.
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