• Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2026 ABC News
  • Culture

Scarlett Johansson says she 'made a career' out of her controversies

2:38
Marvel's 'Black Widow' to debut in theaters and Disney+
David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images, FILE
ByMegan Stone
March 25, 2021, 4:21 PM

Scarlett Johansson will say goodbye to the Marvel Cinematic Universe when her character's solo "Black Widow" film premieres this summer.

While she will always appreciate her breakout role, playing super spy Natasha Romanoff (aka Black Widow), the 36-year-old actress said she believes her career was defined by something else: her past mistakes.

Related Articles

MORE: 'Black Widow' and 'Cruella' get simultaneous Disney+ and theatrical premieres this summer

Speaking to U.K. magazine The Gentlewoman for its spring/summer issue, the two-time Oscar winner said she sometimes makes the wrong decisions.

Despite that, when weighing her past controversies, Johansson said, "I've made a career out of it."

"I'm going to have opinions about things, because that's just who I am," Johansson said.

Some past controversies include her support of embattled director Woody Allen and starring in "Ghost in the Shell," where she played a traditionally Asian character and became a punchline for whitewashing characters.

Related Articles

MORE: Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost have tied the knot

"I mean, everyone has a hard time admitting when they're wrong about stuff, and for all of that to come out publicly, it can be embarrassing," the actress said. "To have the experience of, 'Wow, I was really off mark there,' or 'I wasn't looking at the big picture,' or 'I was inconsiderate' ... I'm also a person."

Johansson also expressed that she doesn't believe "actors have obligations to have a public role in society," because they are meant to entertain -- not drive a political agenda.

"The idea that you're obligated to because you're in the public eye is unfair. You didn't choose to be a politician, you're an actor," the "Marriage Story" star argued. "Of course, whatever you say, whether it's politically correct or not, any statement you make, or how you live your life, people are obviously going to take issue with it."

In the end, Johansson said, "We judge each other all the time," but she added, "It's not normal to be that exposed."

Up Next in Culture—

Joan Cusack makes 1st red carpet appearance in 11 years at 'Toy Story 5' London premiere

May 29, 2026

'The Four Seasons' season 2 whisks Tina Fey, Will Forte, Colman Domingo and more abroad

May 28, 2026

Shop the books from 'The Book Case' podcast

May 28, 2026

'Dolly All the Time' by Annabel Monaghan is our 'GMA' Book Club pick for June

May 28, 2026

Shop GMA Favorites

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

Sponsored Content by Taboola

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • Shop FAQs
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2026 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2026 ABC News