When Scarlett Johansson first revealed her distinctive trait, casting directors weren’t exactly impressed, failing to anticipate the massive fan following it would eventually attract.
Scarlett Johansson initially dreamt of pursuing a career in musical theater, but her deep voice presented challenges in landing roles, leading her to switch to acting. Despite facing doubts and questions about her husky voice early on, Johansson’s unique vocal quality later became a key strength in her successful career. From overcoming rejections to becoming Hollywood’s highest-earning actress, Johansson’s distinctive voice has captivated fans and solidified her as a versatile and talented performer.
Scarlett Johansson, well-known for her unique husky voice, initially faced obstacles in her dream of pursuing a career in musical theatre. Despite her love for the stage, Johansson’s distinct vocal tone made it difficult for her to land roles. Refusing to be deterred, the talented actress decided to shift her focus to acting and began seeking opportunities in commercials instead. After some time, Johansson succeeded in securing a role in an off-Broadway production called Sophistry, which eventually led to her film debut in North when she was just 9 years old.
Fast forward to Johansson’s breakthrough performance in Lost in Translation, where her acting skills weren’t the only thing to receive praise. Her captivating voice, with its mix of ease and charm, became a standout feature in her acting. However, this very characteristic that now distinguishes her caused challenges early on in her career as a child actor. Johansson revealed in an interview with Candis magazine that her dreams of a musical theatre career were shattered when a talent agent chose one of her brothers over her. The reason? Her deep voice, which made it difficult for her to find roles in that field and ultimately led her towards a career in acting.
However, when she started auditioning for roles in commercials, her voice became a hindrance once again. The casting agents were not impressed by her deep tone. Scarlett Johansson, famous for her role as Black Widow, mentioned that she can’t even count how many times casting directors questioned her about her husky voice. In an interview with Candis magazine (as reported by Daily Mail), she opened up about her struggles in the industry.
While striving to break into the entertainment industry, I faced numerous auditions in a bid to secure a role, much like Lily Gladstone’s experience with Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone. Both Pedro Pascal’s The Last of Us and Johnny Depp’s Pirates of the Caribbean share a common trait. Margot Robbie felt “hurt” when her Barbie co-star Ryan Gosling kept a hidden talent from her. Taz Skylar believes that One Piece had an edge over Henry Cavill’s The Witcher. According to James Gunn, DC surpasses Marvel with its unique Game of Thrones-style element. A film led Brendan Fraser and Matt Damon to engage in a heated altercation that ended in them stripping naked and brawling like “shaved apes.” Michelle Yeoh’s fans accuse Disney of neglecting to promote her latest show. Christopher Nolan, like James Cameron, aims to surpass the $1B milestone with Oppenheimer, a move some may perceive as greed. My childhood dream of pursuing musical theatre was hindered by my deep voice, leading me to pivot towards acting, where my voice often raised questions during auditions.
Scarlett Johansson grew frustrated with the audition process for commercials, sharing her feelings in an interview with Allure magazine back in 2005. The impersonal nature of the auditions and lack of passion for promoting products like Wonder Bread led her to focus on her love for acting. At just 8 years old, she had the chance to act alongside Ethan Hawke in an off-Broadway play called Sophistry, which kickstarted her career.
While she is most famous for her portrayal of Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Scarlett Johansson has also impressed in a range of other films. Movies like He’s Just Not That Into You, Jojo Rabbit, Marriage Story, and Lucy highlighted her acting range, with her distinct husky voice adding depth to her performances. She has found success in voice acting as well, notably in the award-winning film Her.
In animated films, Johansson has lent her voice to characters like Kaa in The Jungle Book and Ash in Sing, showcasing her singing abilities. Upcoming projects include voicing Elita One in Transformers One. It’s ironic that her unique voice, once seen as a limitation, has become an essential part of her successful career.
For fans looking to explore her early work, Scarlett Johansson’s debut film North is available for streaming on Tubi. Additionally, The Horse Whisperer and Lost in Translation can be rented on AppleTV+, while Her is ready for streaming on Max.