Scarlett Johansson defends friendship with Woody Allen: “Stand up for what you believe in”
Scarlett Johansson has defended maintaining a friendship with Woody Allen, despite the allegations of sexual abuse made against the director.
The subject of the Black Widow star’s controversial ongoing relationship with Allen was discussed in a wide-ranging recent interview she gave to the Daily Telegraph.
Johansson has continued to defend the actor and director over the years after accusations of sexual abuse were made against him by his step-daughter, Dylan Farrow.
However, when asked if this has been a cause of her potentially missing out on work at times, the actor was ambivalent in saying, “I guess it’s hard to know,” before adding, “You never know what the domino effect is, exactly.”
Despite this, Johansson sees her defence of Allen as being reflective of her character as a whole, as she explained: “My mom always encouraged me to be myself, [to see] that it’s important to have integrity, and stand up for what you believe in.”
She added, “At the same time, I think it’s also important to know when it’s not your turn. I don’t mean that you should silence yourself. I mean sometimes it’s just not your time. And that’s something I’ve understood more as I’ve matured.”
Johansson starred in a trio of films directed by Allen during the 2000s, including Match Point, Scoop, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona, from which point she struck up a friendship with the filmmaker.
On the matter of his sexual abuse allegations, which he has always denied, Johansson previously told The Hollywood Reporter in 2019: “I love Woody. I believe him, and I would work with him anytime.”
She said she came to this conclusion based on the “direct” relationship she has with Allen, adding, “He maintains his innocence, and I believe him.”
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