Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesUnlike some of her peers, Kristen Stewart has a grasp on the foundations of feminism.
Though it can be difficult to work in a "a male-dominated and -driven business," the Camp X-Ray actress says it's also "fun to be the underdog." Still, she would like to see more women working behind the lens.
Stewart agrees with The Daily Beast's assessment that women in Hollywood are given fewer chances than their male counterparts. Twilight's Catherine Hardwicke, for example, had to release 2013's Plush via Video on Demand versus in theaters. "That's a thing that women have to do—you must persevere. That's what we've been doing. You need to make something that's undeniably good. If a woman makes a bad movie, or does something stupid, then the door just slams shut," Stewart says. "It's f--ked up."
Part of the problem, Stewart says, is that young actresses are afraid of being labeled feminists.
"That's such a strange thing to say, isn't it? Like, what do you mean? Do you not believe in equality for men and women? I think it's a response to overly-aggressive types. There are a lot of women who feel persecuted and go on about it, and I sometimes am like, 'Honestly, just relax, because now you're going in the other direction,'" Stewart says in contrast to what Shailene Woodley has said. "Sometimes, the loudest voice in the room isn't necessarily the one you should listen to. By our nature alone, think about what you're saying and say it—but don't scream in people's faces, because then you're discrediting us."
"Relating it to my one little avenue, people say, 'If you want to make it in the film industry as a woman, you have to be a bitch.' No, you are going to ruin any chance you have and give us a bad name," the 24-year-old actress argues. "It's the overcompensation to where our generation goes, 'Relax,' because it's been easier for us, and because we don't have as much of the anger, so it's like we can't get behind it and it's a bit embarrassing. But that being said, it's a really ridiculous thing to say you're not a feminist."
Stewart doesn't want to get too political, though. Asked to weigh in on other topics, she replies, "I don't want to talk about that s--t at all. Trust me, I'm only asking for it. When it comes time to stand up and affect change, I'm not the type of person to shout from the rooftops. Just because you're an actor and in the public eye, people think that's how you must be. But there are other ways to do that. That's not me."