Olivia Munn Feels Hopeful After 'Predator' Casting Controversy
*By Amanda Weston*
Olivia Munn knew she took a major risk when she exposed a "Predator" costar's past of sexual misconduct, but that didn't scare off the actress.
"Speaking out on things like this, usually, you kind of anticipate a negative blowback, and you're kind of waiting for that," Munn, a star of "Oceans 8," "Zoolander 2," and "The Newsroom," told Cheddar.
But since Munn informed 20th Century Fox ($FOXA) that the studio had cast a known sex offender, Steven Wilder Striegel, alongside her in the film, she has received an outpouring of support ー and been honored by the UN's Girl Up organization at its first annual #GirlHero Awards.
"It was just really reassuring and made me feel very hopeful for the future," Munn said at a recent event promoting the American Express ($AXP) SPG Luxury Card.
Munn's activism not only prompted the studio to eventually cut the Striegel's scene from the film, but emboldening Paige Carnes ー the then-underage victim of the actor's advances ー to join Munn on stage when accepting her award. Before that moment Sunday, Carnes had not identified herself to the media.
"For it to culminate to the point where the Jane Doe herself feels safe enough and strong enough to put out a statement and get out from behind the Jane Doe title was truly amazing," Munn said. "So an award like this from the United Nations and Girl Up, it just made me feel really hopeful for our future."
This past weekend, the actress also called out Kanye West for hypocrisy on Twitter ー the rapper has criticized American companies for sending work overseas to China, even though his shoe brand Yeezy does the very same thing.
"When you are as famous and powerful as Kanye West is, you can say, 'I'm not going to be doing this product with you, Adidas ($ADDYY), unless you make them in America,'" Munn said.
"I thought it was just really surprising, you know, that someone would stand on such a public platform and say something that is a complete contradiction to the products that they put out."
As of Friday afternoon, Munn's tweet to West had more than 50,000 retweets and more than 203,000 likes.
For full interview [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/olivia-munn-honored-for-speaking-out-takes-part-in-credit-card-launch).
On this episode of Cheddar Innovates: Vision Marine Technologies CEO discusses how e-boats will play a role in the fight against the climate crisis; Lasso CEO breaks down how the design behind these compression socks can prevent injuries and improve performance; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'The Tombs Of Egypt.'
Catriona Campbell, CTIO, UK and Ireland, EY, joins Cheddar News to discuss how business leaders can bridge the gap between their technology investments and their aspirations, and breaks down the human aspects of A.I.
Tens of thousands of people have fled Ukraine in attempts to escape the Russian Invasion. According to the U.N. neighboring countries like Poland, Hungary, and even Romania have seen half a million refugees. While the hospitality is being welcomed by many, it also highlights the mistreatment of migrants and refugees from the Middle East and Africa. Professor of Philosophy and Director of Politics at Northeastern University Serena Parekh, joined Cheddar, to discuss more.
New York's MTA unveiled a new plan to boost the safety for the Big Apple's public transit system to go into effect on the heels of a violent weekend on the subways. The six separate attacks follow a rise of 60 percent in violent subway crimes year to date. The plan will attempt to address the surge in violence, as well as separately offer services to the homeless found within the system, according to the transportation authority. Cheddar's Chloe Aiello explains.
On this episode of Cheddar Reveals, Kim Severson, National Food Correspondent, The New York Times, dives into some of the top trends in the food industry for the upcoming year; Renowned Harlem chef & restaurateur Melba Wilson discusses her inspirations and rise in the food industry, and giving back to her community through food; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'The History of Food.'
Kim Severson, National Food Correspondent, The New York Times, joins Cheddar Reveals to dive into some of the top trends in the food industry for the upcoming year.
Renowned Harlem chef & restaurateur Melba Wilson joins Cheddar to discuss her inspirations and rise in the food industry, and giving back to her community through food.
A Gallup poll finds that now 7.1% of American adults identify as LGBTQ, jumping from 3.5% in 2012. The increase is driven by Generation-Z – those born between 1997 and 2003 – of whom one out of five identify as LGBTQ. Cheddar News speaks with Washington Blade reporter Chris Johnson about the significant shift.