Being a star pretty much since childhood put Scarlett Johansson into the spotlight more than she’d care to admit. And that’s not a good thing necessarily. She first went on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” back in 1994 and has grown into one of Hollywood’s biggest and most beautiful stars since that day. While it may appear to an outsider that Scarlett has had an easy life, her path has been marked by numerous personal and professional struggles.
Here are some of the most tragic details about Scarlett’s life.
1. A Family History Marked by Tragedy
Long before Scarlett ever stepped in front of a camera, her life was in chaos because of, well, family drama and unspoken history. Firstly, she discovered that her great-grandfather, Saul Schlamberg, left Poland for the U.S. in 1910, likely escaping harsh conditions. That’s already a heavy topic, but it doesn’t end there. Sadly, the actress also found out that the family he left behind, including his brother Moishe with his 10 children, were victims of the Holocaust. Learning about her ancestors’ fate hit Scarlett hard but made her feel more connected to her Jewish roots.
2. Typecast as the Bombshell
Scarlett was only 17 when Lost in Translation shot her to fame, cementing her image as the sexy but naive greenhorn. But that image quickly became a trap. During one of the interviews, Scarlett admitted she felt “groomed” to play seductive roles over and over, pushed by her management into being the “bombshell” or “other woman.” It left her feeling objectified and pigeonholed. Even as she racked up hit films, she struggled with how the industry and the media only seemed to see her as a sex symbol.
3. Heartbreak in Love
Although Scarlett is now happily married to comedian Colin Jost, her experiences with love have not always been easy. She confessed to Cosmopolitan in 2016 that she once clung to a relationship with someone “forever unavailable.” And you know how those relationships go. She would often find herself waiting outside bars at odd hours or abandoning everything for late-night calls. Eventually, Scarlett realized she had hit rock bottom and the only way to move forward was to dump and forget the guy. Now the only question is, “Who was it?”
4. A Painful Divorce from Ryan Reynolds
One of Scarlett’s most high-profile romances was with Ryan Reynolds. They married in 2008 but split in 2010, finalizing their divorce the following year. Despite describing the breakup as “comically amicable,” Scarlett admitted it was devastating and left her feeling lonely. Although rumors swirled about Reynolds moving on quickly with Blake Lively, Scarlett insisted she still valued the love they shared, even if it didn’t work out.
5. Her Private Photos Were Leaked
In 2011, Scarlett became one of the early victims of celebrity phone hacks when private nude photos she’d taken for then-husband Ryan Reynolds were stolen and leaked online. Furious, she spoke out about the invasion of privacy and even worked with the FBI to pursue legal action. The scumbags responsible for this massive breach were apprehended, and many outlets eventually took the photos down, but that’s not something you can just forget about.
6. She Almost Quit Acting
Despite her Hollywood mega-star status, Scarlett has faced major career frustrations. She auditioned for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but ultimately wasn’t cast. According to director David Fincher, her established on-screen persona made it challenging for audiences to see her in the gritty, transformative role the film required. Fair enough, but what the heck, dude? After initially losing out on key roles in Iron Man 2 and Gravity, Johansson felt like quitting acting altogether. It was only when Emily Blunt dropped out of Iron Man 2 that Scarlett landed the role of Black Widow, which turned her career around. This also means that there’s a possibility of Emily Blunt joining the MCU as Black Widow from a different reality!
7. Her Eternal Struggle with Acne
Imagine winning Esquire‘s “Sexiest Woman Alive” title and still dealing with acne! That’s just the reality of being human. In a recent interview, Scarlett opened up about having very sensitive skin and stubborn acne for years. She said sometimes she’d refuse to leave home without concealer! Harsh products only made things worse until she simplified her skincare routine and focused on hydration. Her personal struggles inspired the creation of her skincare line, The Outset, which aims to help others eliminate complicated and irritating products.
8. Black Widow’s Toll
While Black Widow made Scarlett a household name and a Marvel mainstay, the role was more than just glitz and piles of cash. She faced sexist questions from journalists fixated on her character’s sex appeal and endured grueling physical demands to stay in shape. Scarlett admitted to SBS News that she’s “forever wounded” from old injuries that flare up with each new film. Still, she loves doing as many of her own stunts as possible, even if it means pushing through the pain.
