Hollywood heartthrob and Game of Thrones star Kit Harington has come under fire for his recent comments about how men can also experience sexism in the entertainment industry.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, Harington describes the “demeaning” feeling of being cast for a role because of how he looks.
“I like to think of myself as more than a head of hair or a set of looks. It’s demeaning,” Harington told the Times. “Yes, in some ways you could argue I’ve been employed for a look I have. But there’s a sexism that happens towards men.”
Even though Harington’s character Jon Snow on Game of Thrones is an unrivaled fan favorite, initial response to his sexism complaints has been harsh.
“Two words for you Kitty Kat…Boo Hoo,” one commenter said of the Pompeii star’s gripes.
“I respect him for saying something, and for holding men and women equally. However, there’s nothing wrong with Hollywood casting attractive people to be attractive,” another commenter said. “If you don’t want to be sexualized, then a film career probably isn’t for you.”
“At some points during photoshoots when I’m asked to strip down, I felt that. If I felt I was being employed just for my looks, I’d stop acting,” Harington told The Sunday Times.
Reaction on Twitter to the actor’s claims are mixed. Some supported Harington for speaking out.
Kit's phrasing may be off, but the backlash proves that unlike women, men have little recourse when challenging sexism. #KitHarington
— Colin T. Foley (@ZiggyStarbutts) June 1, 2016
Kit Harington is so beautiful and so much more than a "sexy" face. He's an amazing actor and I support you when you say men face sexism
— raddy daddy (@zoopthewoop) June 1, 2016
Sexism always exists for both sexes anyway, it's just ignored when men are treated the same. If you call it out… https://t.co/24uZM825EJ
— Glen Reece Jr (@manslayer101) June 1, 2016
Others chided the star.
dying @ kit harington talking about sexism like women have all those problems and more i mean has he watched his show???
— (@jeauexe) June 1, 2016
Every time I see one of those articles where Kit Harington says he faces sexism and it's demeaning to do nude scenes I roll my eyes so hard
— Drewsifer (@socialdrew) June 1, 2016
My eyes rolled so far back in my head RT @BuzzFeed: Kit Harington says men face sexism in acting just like women https://t.co/rNxFljGX5m
— Tea (@sereinjoie) June 1, 2016
Harington has called out sexism in Hollywood in the past.
Last March, the 29-year-old actor said “to always be put on a pedestal as a hunk is slightly demeaning.”
His comments come at a time where tension around the issue of sexism in the entertainment industry has reached a fever pitch.
Harrington’s Game of Thrones co-star Maisie Williams apparently has a different view on the subject: the British actress told Entertainment Weekly that anyone who doesn’t consider themselves a feminist is automatically labeled a “sexist.”
Follow Jerome Hudson on Twitter: @jeromeehudson
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