Jodie Foster opens up about mentoring young actors and what she finds ‘annoying’ about Gen Z

In a recent interview, Jodie Foster shared some insight into her dedication to supporting emerging talent in Hollywood while also maintaining a realistic outlook. Now 61, Foster's screen career began at a tender age of 3, and her challenging experiences growing up in the limelight have driven her to assist younger actors navigating the same industry.

Foster spoke to The Guardian about the support she personally offered Bella Ramsey, a nonbinary actor, at an event hosted by Elle magazine. Despite the organizers' pride in involving a diverse range of ethnicities, Foster observed, in her words, that attendees typically conformed to traditional, high heels and heavy makeup presentations of femininity. Praising Ramsey's bold, makeup-free appearance, Foster underscored the necessity of recognizing different expressions of womanhood.

The Hollywood veteran, who is openly gay, pointed out the constraints she faced growing up in the public eye, inhibiting her from dressing as unconventionally as Ramsey has. However, she hopes the current emphasis on authenticity creates an opportunity for genuine freedom for tomorrow's stars.

In terms of her advice to these stars-in-the-making, her focus is on reducing unnecessary stress. Instead of obsessing over performance, Foster encourages them to find their own unique voice. This approach, she noted, is far more enjoyable than succumbing to the pressure of playing the lead role.

While she supports them, she doesn't entirely let the Gen Z actors off the hook. In her tongue-in-cheek comment to The Guardian, she joked about the annoyance of dealing with their work ethics and casual attitude towards grammar and spelling in their communication. Despite their quirks, Foster stays committed to her endeavor to guide the new performers in the industry.