"We should expect the worst and fight for the best" — Kristen Stewart weighs in on the state of Hollywood in Trump's era

Actress and director Kristen Stewart shared her thoughts about Hollywood. In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter on May 15, 2025, the actress reflected on her directorial work while sharing comments about the state of the industry.

Stewart said that conversations about the impact of Trump on Hollywood were common, especially now that people in the industry had found stronger voices. She felt the current environment was more intense than before, describing Trump’s influence. The actress said:

"And I think to try and work through that is what we’re going to do. But in terms of knowing anything, I think we should expect the worst and fight for the best. Stay vigilant. Look alive."

When asked what she thought about Hollywood compared to how it was when she entered, Stewart said the industry had changed a lot since she first started. While it wasn’t easy to explain everything as it was happening, she felt it was different now. She said,

"It’s an exciting time to be alive. And it’s cool that we all get to be loud together, but at the same time, is that going to do anything? What’s gonna happen? I think we’re all looking over our shoulders going, 'Holy sh*t.' The slippage is just terrifying."

Speaking of her desire to direct movies, Kristen Stewart said:

“I’ve wanted to direct movies as long as I have been an actor and it’s been a multi-tiered development. But for some reason, psychotically, I’ve wanted to do it forever, because I do think the exchange between an actor and a director is a bridge between two very different positions.”

The directors who inspired Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart said she didn’t want to name just a few directors as inspirations because many had influenced her deeply. However, she mentioned that some, like Pablo Larraín and Olivier Assayas, stood out and helped her unlock new creative levels. She explained that her inspiration came from personal connections and meaningful experiences with others in the industry.

Every film she made, along with everyday experiences, influenced her approach to directing. It was difficult for her to point to any source because the inspiration felt instinctive and personal. When asked where she drew the line as an actor and a director, Kristen Stewart said:

“I think that you can do that within performance to a certain degree, especially with the way that you choose your bosses and the people that you’re going to follow. But once you’re following someone, you’re following them into singularity, and that is not yours at all.”

She went on:

“And I love that. I love being in service of something that I believe in, but then also feeling the risk of not knowing what that ultimately is until they figure it out. Because making a movie is predetermined to a certain extent, but absolutely ephemeral.”

Kristen Stewart explained that she wasn’t trying to prove anything to others, but was focused on learning and following what felt important to her. She said this mindset reflected more of a director’s role than an actor’s.

However, she acknowledged that her experience as an actor led her to directing. For her, both roles were closely connected, and at that point in her life, she felt ready to trust her instincts and take on the role of a director.

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Also Read: Who is Kristen Stewart’s partner Dylan Meyer?

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