Hannah Waddingham hosted the Olivier Awards on Sunday night. The Oliviers are the West End’s version of the Tony Awards. There are clips online of Hannah performing and my goodness, she has such a beautiful voice. While we all know that Hannah is talented, she’s also a complete badass. Sorry, she’s a boss ass bitch! While doing the red carpet for the awards, a photographer called out to Hannah, who was wearing a gorgeous beaded purple dress with a thigh-high slit, something to the effect of “show me leg.”
Ooof. Big mistake, my dude. Huge. Hannah promptly read that guy for filth in front of everyone, pointing out that he wouldn’t have said that to a man. She also told him, “Don’t be a dick.” You love to see it.
Last night, Hannah returned to London’s Royal Albert Hall to host the [Olivier] ceremony for the second year in a row, but as she posed for photographers before heading into the venue, she heard one of them make a comment that didn’t sit well.
True to form, Hannah immediately called it out — repeating the misogynistic remark back to the photographer, as well as everybody else in the area. The iconic moment was caught on camera by a fan who was excited to watch Hannah in action as she posed on some steps in a custom Marchesa gown. For context, the sheer dress had a thigh-high slit, and within seconds of her arriving for the photo op, somebody seemingly told the actor to show her legs off for the camera.
While the exact comment isn’t audible in the video, Hannah’s reaction is. The beloved star was clearly stunned by the request, and quickly pointed out: “Oh my god, you’d never say that to a man!”
“Don’t be a dick; otherwise, I’ll move on,” Hannah calmly added. “Don’t say: ‘Show them your legs,’ no.”
At this point, Hannah shook her head and walked away, wagging her finger to reiterate her disapproval. She then appeared to relay what had happened to somebody further along the entry route.
Sharing the video to X, formerly known as Twitter, late Sunday night, the fan explained: “long story short: hannah was being her gorgeous self and the 📸 made some comment about her leg we couldn’t quite make out and… well, the video speaks for itself. This woman is a role model. Always, always call pricks out on their bullshit.”
Earlier in the evening, the same fan had tweeted: “i not only saw hannah waddingham but i saw hannah waddingham being pissed at an asshole misogynistic prick photographer and calling him off on it and i never yelled MOTHER so loud.”
Needless to say, Hannah’s reaction to the photographer has been widely praised, with many crediting the star for walking away from the situation after the misogynistic comment. Quote tweeting the original video, one person wrote: “absolute queen behavior and a great example for younger girls in the industry about knowing their worth.”
Somebody else added: “queen behaviour, so many people just think they can say stupid shit and get away with it without any consequences for them being absolute arses.”
I mean, Hannah is Mother. (Note: That is one of the three Gen Z phrases I know, along with “say less” and “bet”.) Twitter was right, though, that was f–cking queen behavior right there. This was just perfect, no notes. Call that sh-t out when you can. Obviously, Hannah was in a public place and not in any of the danger that could potentially come from embarrassing or turning a man down, but in that moment, she was all of us. I’m old enough to remember when women were calling out men whistling at them on the streets and other sexist pricks were like, “What’s the big deal? You should be flattered!” No woman wants to be sexually harassed, period. Like I said, there will be times when a woman has to prioritize her own safety, but Hannah is in a position of power to stand up for herself and other women. She did us all proud.
long story short: hannah was being her gorgeous self and the 📸 made some comment about her leg we couldn't quite make out and… well, the video speaks for itself. This woman is a role model. Always, always call pricks out on their bullshit. https://t.co/TUPwdqEYo2 pic.twitter.com/ybhxCo5FJ6
— bruna but with a posh accent (@odeiotedlasso) April 14, 2024
Photos credit: Sue Andrews / Avalon, James Warren / Bang Showbiz / Avalon, IMAGO/RW/Mediapunch / Avalon
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