Hollywood star Hilary Swank recently shared insight about the tough reality of being a young female talent in an industry largely run by men. In a heartfelt conversation with Women’s Heath, Swank, renowned for her work in “Million Dollar Baby,” reflected on her early acting days, describing Hollywood as being highly patriarchal.

Swank expressed gratitude for the positive shifts seen in the industry, saying, “It’s a relief to see the industry become more inclusive.” However, Swank poignantly recalled the early days of her career, asserting, “In the beginning, the industry was unabashedly patriarchal. I often portrayed characters penned by male writers who would attempt to encapsulate the female perspective, often inaccurately so.”

Her identity as a feminine actress was not the issue, she was keen to clarify. “I don’t stand against embracing femininity,” she continued. “My issue arises when others dictate what encompassing femininity should be.”

Swank, whose talent has won her two Academy Awards, first received recognition for her superb performance in “Boys Don’t Cry" in 1999. In this film, she played a transgender teen attempting to find her way through adolescence in conservative rural Nebraska. Her next Oscar was won for her portrayal of a determined female boxer with a seasoned coach, played by Clint Eastwood, in the 2004 film, “Million Dollar Baby.”

Recalling her first major win at the Oscars at merely 25, Swank compared the experience to a whirlwind, stating, “It felt like being shot out of a cannon.” If she were to speak to her younger self, she shared she would counsel her to pause and reflect more often, saying, "I’d advise my younger self to ‘Take a moment to breathe.’ We need to ponder the daily decisions we make. These decisions should reflect what we genuinely desire. That's truly all we have control over – the daily decisions shaping our lives. After all, time is life”