Since Charlize Theron portrayed Megyn Kelly in the 2019 film Bombshell, the relationship between the two women has been strained, with both making pointed remarks about each other. The movie, which is inspired by the real-life experiences of female employees at Fox News, seeks to illuminate the sexual harassment allegations against former CEO Roger Ailes. Featuring a notable cast including Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie alongside Theron, the film dives deep into the lives of Kelly, Gretchen Carlson, and Kayla Pospisil, bringing significant attention to a pressing societal issue.
Though Pospisil is a fictional character, Kelly and Carlson are actual individuals with distinct narratives.Bombshell garnered a moderate critical reception, achieving a 68% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it found success during awards season, receiving three Academy Award nominations, notably winning for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. Given the sensitive nature of the subject matter, it was inevitable that tensions would arise among those involved, particularly between Theron and Kelly.
Theron Expressed “Empathy”for Megyn Kelly Following Her Role in Bombshell
March 10, 2019
Upon her casting as Megyn Kelly, Charlize Theron became an informal spokesperson for Bombshell, partly due to her role as a producer. In various interviews, she expressed that embodying Megyn Kelly revealed the complexities of her situation, which many outside the story may not fully grasp (via Variety).
“I didn’t know how complicated her situation was and I think for a lot of people, they didn’t understand why she didn’t just speak up. She was in a complicated place and as a human being, I have empathy for that. I don’t think a lot of people truly understood that.”
While Theron was initially unaware of the intricacies surrounding the Roger Ailes case, her preparations for the role fostered a deeper understanding of Kelly’s dilemmas.
Theron Found Playing Kelly “Harder”than Portraying Aileen Wuornos
October 21, 2019
Later that year, Theron highlighted the challenges she faced while portraying Megyn Kelly, especially considering their stark ideological differences. When comparing her role in Bombshell to her Oscar-winning performance as serial killer Aileen Wuornos in Monster, Theron remarked (via People):
“This was harder. She’s incredibly well known. I’ve never played anybody on that level. I’ve played real people that nobody knows about so there was less pressure when I did those.”
Theron indicated that portraying a widely recognized figure demands a unique form of commitment, presenting significantly more pressure than her other roles, despite the intense nature of Monster. She needed to master Kelly’s voice, mannerisms, and overall physicality, which added to the complexity of the performance.
Theron Admitted She Was “Scared”to Portray Kelly
December 19, 2019
In December, Theron candidly expressed her apprehension about portraying Kelly, admitting on a call with director Jay Roach, “Am I f*****g crazy?”(via CNN).She elaborated:
“This [Kelly] was not a person who was easy for me to wrap my arms around.”
Despite their disagreements, Theron found some points of connection while researching Kelly’s experiences. She mentioned,
“But at the same time, as a woman, understanding what each of them went through and understanding what Megyn was facing, especially in those two weeks where she didn’t step forward and she didn’t support Gretchen [Carlson], that’s when I emotionally tapped into her because I started to see similarities between us, dare I say that.”
The continuous evolution of their dynamic illustrated Theron’s respect for Kelly and her fellow actresses, appreciating their strength to confront significant risks for their beliefs.
“I have nothing but respect for each and every one of them, for what they stood up for, what they risked.”
Kelly DeclARED “Zero Connection”to the Film on Instagram
January 9, 2020
In January 2020, Megyn Kelly finally broke her silence regarding the film with an Instagram post stating,
“The movie ‘Bombshell’ is a Hollywood film about the sexual harassment scandal at Fox News. I have zero connection to the film, and hold no stake at all in it. I do, however, have a connection to many of the women who actually lived it. Here is their account.”
Importantly, Kelly was not directly consulted during the film’s production, which contributed to her sense of distance from the project. Although many real-life aspects were adapted for the narrative, her critical view suggests a cautious endorsement at the very least.
Kelly Conducted a Round Table Discussion with Key Contributors from the Film
Coinciding with her Instagram remarks, Kelly released a 30-minute YouTube video, titled “Megyn Kelly Presents: A Response to ‘Bombshell’ – Full Discussion”.In this video, she brought together fellow former Fox News journalists—Juliet Huddy, Rudi Bakhtiar, and Julie Zann—who also share narratives of harassment that were crucial to the film’s depiction.
During the screening and discussion, the group concurred that while the film captured many truths, it overlooked key elements of their experiences. Notably, Kelly addressed a portrayal in which it seemed she sought permission from the Murdochs before questioning Donald Trump in 2015 about his controversial remarks on women, clarifying that she instead acted on her own accord (via Deadline):
“…so it was somewhat jarring to see a version of our experiences told by strangers.”
Kelly Expressed Being “100% Against Charlize Theron”Over Drag Queen Advocacy
May 12, 2023
In a notable turn of events, tensions escalated between Megyn Kelly and Charlize Theron in 2023 when Theron publicly supported the drag community during a telethon. In her statement (via People), she remarked:
“We love you queens. We’re in your corner and we’ve got you, and I will f**k anybody up who’s trying to f**k with anything with you guys.”
Theron further articulated,
“There are so many things that are hurting and, really, killing our kids, and we all know what I’m talking about right now and it ain’t no drag queen — because if you’ve ever seen a drag queen lip-sync for her life, it only makes you happier, it only makes you love more, it makes you a better person.”
In reaction, Kelly took to her radio show, The Megyn Kelly Show, delivering a stark rebuttal (via Instagram):
“Why doesn’t Charlize Theron come and f**k me up? Because I’m 100% against her on this.”
Kelly’s long-standing views align with conservative beliefs, as evidenced by her opposition to transgender healthcare and critique of the transgender movement.
Kelly Voiced Anger Towards Theron for Comments Made During the Bombshell Press Tour
May 10, 2024
Most recently, in May 2024, Megyn Kelly expressed frustration with Charlize Theron for allegedly misrepresenting the timeline of the sexual assault accusations against Roger Ailes during the Bombshell press tour. Kelly took issue with Theron’s remarks that suggested Kelly was “late to the party”regarding coming forward about the allegations, issuing a pointed retort on her show (via YouTube):
“B***h, you weren’t even at the party. You never f*****g came forward with any allegations; I’m sure you were harassed but you were too p***y-footed to say anything about it.”
Despite Theron’s active discussions of sexual harassment she faced in Hollywood, Kelly’s remarks highlighted a significant rift between the two women. Notably, Theron has shared her own past experiences with harassment, revealing in interviews instances when she disclosed a director’s name but was not published (via People).Additionally, she recounted an alarming audition experience where a producer behaved inappropriately (via People).In light of the #MeToo movement, Theron spoke out against perpetrators and expressed her support for victims, remarking:
“The women who have spoken about their abuse are brave and heroic and although I didn’t have a personal experience like this with Harvey Weinstein, I unfortunately cannot
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