Scarlett Johansson is no stranger to press junkets, but one interview from The Avengers promotional tour took a particularly awkward turn when an interviewer asked her an intrusive question about her costume. The actress, known for her sharp wit and confidence, quickly put an end to the inappropriate line of questioning, leaving the interviewer visibly uncomfortable.
Back in 2012, when The Avengers was released, the film was a massive success, solidifying the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) as a dominant force at the box office. The cast, including Johansson and her co-star Jeremy Renner, participated in numerous interviews to promote the blockbuster. During one such interview, things took an uncomfortable turn when Johansson was asked a bizarre question about her costume.
While discussing the film’s costumes, the interviewer abruptly shifted focus, asking Johansson whether she was able to wear undergarments beneath her Black Widow suit. Given that her character wore a form-fitting black bodysuit, the question seemed both intrusive and unnecessary.
Clearly frustrated, Johansson didn’t hesitate to call out the inappropriate nature of the question. She responded with visible irritation, stating, “You’re like the fifth person that’s asked me that today. What is going on? Since when did people start asking each other in interviews about their underwear?”
The interviewer attempted to defend himself by saying he was merely inquiring due to the skin-tight nature of her costume. However, Johansson cut him off, firmly stating, “I’ll leave it up to your imagination. Whatever you feel like I should be wearing or not wearing under that costume.”
Realizing he had crossed a line, the interviewer awkwardly asked whether it was inappropriate to ask an actress what kind of underwear she wears. Johansson doubled down, questioning the legitimacy of the interview itself.
While actors playing superheroes are often asked about the challenges of their costumes, they rarely receive questions about their undergarments. Most discussions focus on logistical challenges—like Batman actors joking about the difficulty of using the bathroom in their suits—not intimate details about what they’re wearing underneath.
This incident isn’t the only example of female actors being subjected to awkward or inappropriate interview questions. The article even draws a comparison to a past interview involving Paper Towns actress Cara Delevingne, who was patronizingly told by interviewers to “take a little nap” after they misinterpreted her dry humor.
Johansson’s No-Nonsense Attitude
Johansson’s sharp response highlighted a bigger issue in the industry—women in Hollywood often face a different set of questions than their male counterparts. While male actors are asked about their training or the depth of their roles, female actors frequently deal with questions about their appearance, weight, and, in this case, their underwear.
This interview became a defining moment in calling out the media’s double standards. Johansson’s refusal to entertain the inappropriate question sent a clear message: she is not here to be objectified, and she won’t tolerate sexist questions—especially not in the middle of a professional interview.
