Jamie Chung in the news today, getting hate for using a surrogate. She told Today in an interview that she feared being “resentful” from losing acting jobs due to being pregnant. So, she decided to use a surrogate instead.
First off, I forgot she was in Dexter: New Blood. That was a pretty meaty role, so she’s doing something right.
But, to have a surrogate just because you didn’t want to lose acting gigs, hmm…
According to Chung’s interview:
I was terrified of becoming pregnant. I was terrified of putting my life on hold for two-plus years. In my industry, it feels like you’re easily forgotten if you don’t work within the next month of your last job. Things are so quickly paced in what we do. So it’s a compromise that we [Chung and husband Bryan Greenberg] made together as a couple.
Chung also said:
People probably think, ‘Oh, she’s so vain. She didn’t want to get pregnant,’ and it’s much more complicated than that. For me, personally, and I will leave it at this, it’s like, I worked my ass off my entire life to get where I am. I don’t want to lose opportunities. I don’t want to be resentful.
That’s the part I don’t get. Resentful of what, your kids? That’s the only inference I can draw.
I’m sure deep down some mothers do think, I’d probably be further along in my career if I wasn’t a mother. On the other hand, supposedly mothers grow fond of their little monsters. Would Chung say in 30 years, I’m sure glad not to be a parent. I got an Emmy for this new random Showtime series instead!
But, I do get it. No one’s writing roles for pregnant women. And on top of that, she’s Asian. How many Asians get substantial acting roles? Chung parlayed a reality show gig into an actual career. That’s impressive.
Chung should worry more about being 39 in Hollywood. Forty seems to be the cutoff point. Unless you’re seen as an amazing actress like Meryl Streep. Which Chung, sorry to say, isn’t.