Actress and director Olivia Wilde, a veteran in the entertainment industry since her early twenties, recently shared her perspective on choosing projects at the Red Sea International Film Festival. She emphasized that her focus isn't on gaining audience approval but rather on pursuing work that presents an element of risk.

Wilde explained that she's drawn to roles that push boundaries, which has subsequently influenced the types of projects offered to her. This inclination towards risk-taking began early in her career, starting with the short-lived and controversial TV series "Skin" in 2003. She later gained recognition for her role as Alex Kelly in the popular teen drama "The O.C.", where her character's bisexual storyline sparked public discussion and ultimately led to her departure from the show.

This experience, however, didn't deter Wilde. Instead, it solidified her commitment to taking on challenging roles. This approach, she believes, has led to her being offered projects where filmmakers know she won't shy away from difficult or controversial subject matter.

Wilde believes that associating filmmaking solely with fame and widespread acceptance limits creative opportunities. She stated, "I think a huge problem with our business – around the world, I imagine it’s the same – when you conflate filmmaking or acting with fame or with large-scale acceptance, you immediately cut off every opportunity to do any risky work." She further emphasized the importance of not prioritizing the need to be liked or celebrated.

Wilde's directorial journey began with the well-received 2019 film "Booksmart." Her subsequent project, "Don't Worry Darling" (2022), generated significant controversy both on and off set. The film, starring Florence Pugh and Harry Styles (whom Wilde later dated), faced numerous scandals.

Wilde expressed a preference for creating work that evokes strong reactions, even negative ones, rather than producing something bland or forgettable. She declared, "I’d rather be controversial than boring. You never want to make a movie as a director that people are like, ‘Eh, I don’t know, I felt nothing.’ I’d rather people hate it than feel nothing."

"It was important to me to never become overly focused on being accepted or loved."

— Olivia Wilde

Looking ahead, Wilde plans to pursue projects that continually challenge her artistically, driven by a desire to avoid creative stagnation.