Is this sexist – or sloppy?
Last month, various news outlets waited up until midnight for the release of Taylor Swift’s latest album, Midnights.
The days following were full of stories about music videos, cameos, and Easter eggs associated with the album.
One such article, in British GQ, talked about the video Swift had made with actor Laura Dern for her song Bejeweled.
Taylor Swift and Laura Dern (Sergey Ryumin)
I hadn’t made it past the first paragraph when something stopped me in my tracks.
Referring to Dern, the journalist wrote:
“The OG Nepo baby, her father Bruce is a celebrated actor.”
(Let’s park the use of “OG Nepo baby” and its implications for a moment.)
Do you know who else is a celebrated actor?
Diane Ladd, Laura Dern’s mother.
Diane Ladd, celebrated actor
She has been an actor for seven decades.
She's appeared in more than 100 films and TV programs. She's been nominated for an Oscar three times, an Emmy (also three times), and a series of other awards.
She's been a working actor all this time and is still making appearances on red carpets at major Hollywood events – often with her daughter.
Diane Ladd and Laura Dern at the 2020 Oscars
But she didn't even warrant a mention here.
And you might be thinking, “Well, they only have so much space for the article.”
Fair enough.
But they could easily have written: “Both her parents are celebrated actors” and still made their word count.
Celebrated actors Diane Ladd, Laura Dern and Bruce Dern
But which of her parents is more famous?
Both of them have had long careers in Hollywood, but Bruce Dern has fewer nominations (2 Academy Awards, 1 Emmy) than his ex-wife.
Ladd also has won a Golden Globe (Bruce Dern hasn’t) and she has been nominated for the Golden Globe four times, once more than Bruce.
Perhaps you’re thinking, “Oh, the person who wrote this probably doesn't know who Diane Ladd is.”
Okay, I accept that.
But Google knows who Diane Ladd is.
And part of being a journalist is tracking down leads, researching, and reporting a story.
Dern’s Hollywood connections are not hard to find.
Wikipedia has them. Vanity Fair has them. US Weekly has them.
I'm a lot younger than Laura Dern, but I know who her parents are.
The GQ journalist may not remember when Dern and Ladd made history as the first mother and daughter duo to be nominated for Academy Awards for their roles in Rambling Rose.
(Interestingly, the Emmys remembered it, as it was part of the voiceover when Dern took to the stage to collect her Emmy for her work in Big Little Lies in 2017.)
Diane Ladd and Laura Dern at the 1992 Oscars (where they were both nominated)
Dern has occupied more of the spotlight in recent years with her roles in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Big Little Lies, and Marriage Story.
She’s been a fixture on red carpets, recognized for her work on both TV and film. She’s won at the Golden Globes, the Emmys and the Oscars – and often thanked her parents in her speeches.
“I share this with my acting heroes, my legends,
Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern.”
- Laura Dern, 2020 Academy Awards
When she won the Oscar in 2020, she gave a heartwarming acceptance speech:
“Some say, 'Never meet your heroes.' I say if you’re really blessed, you get them as your parents. I share this with my acting hero, my legends, Diane Ladd and Bruce Dern. You got game. I love you.”
The camera panned to an emotional Ladd in the audience at that moment.
Diane Ladd watching her daughter accept the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, 2020
What bugs me here is not just sloppy journalism. It’s that Diane Ladd – and her accomplishments and influence – have been omitted.
And it is all too easy for journalists – and history – to erase women’s names and their achievements.
So journalists, take note:
Dakota Johnson is the daughter of two celebrated actors.
Celebrated actors Melanie Griffith, Dakota Johnson, and Don Johnson
Maya Hawke is the daughter of two celebrated actors.
Celebrated actors Uma Thurman, Maya Hawke, and Ethan Hawke
And Laura Dern is the daughter of two celebrated actors.
A family of celebrated actors
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Beth Collier loves writing, pop culture, and Award show speeches.
She also loves helping companies, leaders, and teams improve their communication (and creativity and leadership) through consulting, coaching, and workshops.
Her clients benefit from Beth’s global corporate experience, Midwestern practicality and enthusiasm, and an endless supply of pop culture references.
To find out how Beth can help you become a more confident, creative, and compelling leader – or improve communication in your company – visit www.beth-collier.com or drop her a line at beth@beth-collier.com
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