Ted Lasso actress tells photographer off on red carpet for ‘lacking manners’
Apr 17, 2024
Alex Baker
Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe
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Actress Hannah Waddingham helped set the world right on the red carpet when she told off a photographer for asking her to show a bit more leg. Waddingham, known for her roles in Ted Lasso and Game of Thrones, was attending the Olivier Awards when the incident happened.
Waddingham was hosting the award ceremony in London and stopped to pose for photographs on the way into the Royal Albert Hall. Fans captured the moment on video, and it quickly went viral, sparking a debate about what’s appropriate behaviour.
“Oh my god, you’d never say that to a man, my friend,” she said. She told the photographer she would move away if they insisted on such requests, adding: “Don’t say ‘show me your leg.’”
Waddingham walked on, turning back to mutter, “Have some manners”.
The incident has sparked a conversation about whether the media is still sexist. Certainly, many people have applauded Waddingham for asserting her boundaries.
Critics have viewed the request from the photographer as symptomatic of the industry as a whole, with it still being very male-dominated. It is indisputable that the male gaze (albeit cis-het) is generally different to that of a female or LGBTG+.
But is that necessarily wrong? I believe that Hannah is correct when she said that the photographer would never ask that question to a man. But, at the same time, are the men on the red carpet wearing fabulous ball gowns with thigh-high slits and copious amounts of cleavage on display?
I think what it boils down to are two things. If Waddingham felt uncomfortable by the comment, she was correct to assert her boundaries and refuse. However, she should also understand that this sort of peacocking behaviour does go with the job to a degree.
Secondly, it is evident that we need a wider range of people working in the media—actually, working in all industries, if I’m being honest. That is the only way that any meaningful change will happen, and general sexist attitudes will move further out of fashion.
What do you think? Was she making a valid point?
[via CNN]
Alex Baker
Alex Baker is a portrait and lifestyle driven photographer based in Valencia, Spain. She works on a range of projects from commercial to fine art and has had work featured in publications such as The Daily Mail, Conde Nast Traveller and El Mundo, and has exhibited work across Europe
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9 responses to “Ted Lasso actress tells photographer off on red carpet for ‘lacking manners’”
I am on her side. Photographers should not hinder the flow of the event.
Adrian J Nyaoi she didn’t protest because the photographer “hindered the flow of the event”. 🙄
Yes, she’s right.
Yes she was right
Of course she was making a valid point. They’ve never told a man show me leg, or show me your abs. Ridiculous
I would ask Harry Styles to show some leg.
Yes, having photographed many Red Carpet walks I’ve seen many call out lots of suggestions trying to get shocking photos. There’s the “runs” (where walkers are just moving past a large group of photographers calling out;) and there are the “stops” where there’s someone asking questions and there’s stops to photograph walkers in front of the events backdrop. I’ve seen and heard all sorts of questions asked. Many/most walkers are worried/scared to complain (fearing a negative press backlash. Remember, being seen here will hopefully get them more work, better and bigger parts.) I’m glad to see someone call them on it.
Red carpet walks are vanity fairs. Celebs are free to enter by the backdoor or just stay at home. Hannah Waddingham could just have worn a potato sack instead of a semi-transparent high-slit dress.
In my opinion, it all depends on who asks the question: If an annoying paparazzo does it, it’s inappropriate, sexist and disturbing. If Anton Corbijn, Marco Grob, Russell James, Nadav Kander, Tom Munro, Martin Schoeller, Mark Seliger, Mario Testino, Albert Watson, Dan Winters – or (notice the difference?) Annie Leibovitz do it, it’s not a big deal or flattering even.
In terms of “having some manners”: Waddingham should read about Kant’s Imperative (also called the “Golden Rule”) for her next carpet walk. Then chill out a little and just shut the f* up, ignoring inappropriate hecklers politely. But for sure making that point gained her some publicity. And who wouldn’t like some more publicity in her business?
She should keep her opinions too herself after all she’s only a actress.