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Actress Cate Blanchett was bashed online after labeling herself “middle class” earlier this week.
A United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) goodwill ambassador since 2016, Blanchett spoke during the “UNHCR: Displaced Stories” press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday, discussing the global refugee crisis and the importance of giving displaced people a voice.
“When I look back at films that were made during the Second World War, even if the films didn’t — the narratives didn’t — directly deal with it, it was understood that a global crisis was going on,” Blanchett said of how, historically, film has referenced the geopolitical climate.
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Cate Blanchett spoke candidly at the “UNHCR: Displaced Stories” press conference at the Cannes Film Festival on Monday. (Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
“It was just a texture behind the films that were being made. And given that this is a global challenge, a global crisis, I’m always bewildered as to why more films don’t speak directly or obliquely to this,” she said, referring to the displacement of millions of people.
“[Refugees] stories are so incredible and inspiring,” the Australian continued. “There are so many stories to be told that are so inspiring and unusual and off the cuff and I wonder that we’re all taught to be frightened by these stories,” she considered. “The more we do that in our narratives, the more we exclude these voices from our narratives, the more we’re ‘othering’ them. And we’re adding to the exclusion of people who have so much to offer.”
Cate Blanchett says she’s happy to use her platform to highlight the issues refugees are facing. (Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton)
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Blanchett stressed that while their stories are inherently interesting, it’s also important to recognize that there are artists and creators who are now refugees and deserve an opportunity to exercise their craft.
Cate Blanchett notes that movies are not encapsulating the current climate of the world today. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
“I’m White. I’m privileged. I’m middle class. And I think, you know, one can be accused of having a bit of a White savior complex. But to be perfectly honest, my interaction with refugees in the film — in the field,” she said, correcting herself, “and also in resettled environments, has totally changed my perspective on the world. And I’m utterly grateful for that. And I think if you do have a platform, I want to be in dialogue with these people. I’ve met some extraordinary people with extraordinary creative talents and amazing perspectives.”
She continued, “When you give someone who is marginalized a phone to author their own experience, then I’m really happy, in any way, to help facilitate that. Because I personally, selfishly, am really fascinated by seeing that.”
Cate Blanchett received backlash for labeling herself “middle class.” A successful actress, some reports suggest she is worth nearly $100 million. (Lexie Moreland/WWD via Getty Images)
But the court of public opinion eviscerated Blanchett on social media, suggesting she was “out of touch” for labeling herself middle class.
“Middle class, eh, just another middle class multi-millionaire movie star hyper celebrity ? Get a grip, Cate,” one person wrote on X.
“Cate Blanchett thinks she’s ‘middle class’ compared to who? Jeff Bezos? Rich people are so out of touch,” another seethed.
“She’s far from middle class. And her ‘privilege’ comes from her wealth. What a fool,” a user quipped.
“I beg your pardon. Middle class? Cate is worth $95 million. Is that considered middle class now?” another asked.
Cate Blanchett is a two-time Academy Award winner, and has been nominated eight times. (Julien M. Hekimian/Getty Images)
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Blanchett’s exact net worth is unknown, although there are several reports online that suggest she’s worth $95 million. She famously starred in the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, as well as Marvel’s “Thor: Ragnarok.” The actress has won two Oscars for her work in “The Aviator” and “Blue Jasmine.”
Blanchett also has a robust real estate portfolio.
Some social media users defended Cate Blanchett, suggesting she was talking about her social status, not her wealth. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for AFI)
While she got a lot of heat, some people defended the actress, suggesting that she was talking about her social status, not her socioeconomic status.
“Why did people get so upset when Cate Blanchett said she’s ‘middle class’? She might have a high net worth, but she was clearly talking about her social status as someone who isn’t royalty and her upbringing,” a user on X claimed.
“It’s incredible how people just picked up on cate blanchett saying ‘middle class’ and bashed her for that and not even listen to what she was actually saying. idiots,” another wrote.
Cate Blanchett made a political statement at the Cannes Film Festival, wearing a dress with the colors of the Palestinian flag on the carpet. (Getty Images)
The same day as her comments, Blanchett also made waves for standing in solidarity with Palestinians, wearing their flag’s colors on the Cannes carpet.
A representative for Blanchett did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Caroline Thayer is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital. Follow Caroline Thayer on Twitter at @carolinejthayer. Story tips can be sent to caroline.thayer@fox.com.
