Olivia Munn, the actress known for her roles in Predator and X-Men: Apocalypse, opened up about a deeply personal and traumatic experience during a recent appearance on Monica Lewinsky’s Reclaiming podcast. Munn shared how her tumultuous upbringing shaped her strong sense of justice and influenced her decisions as an adult, including a pivotal moment in her career when she stood her ground against a significant offer to stay silent about misconduct on a movie set.
Munn reflected on how her childhood, marked by relentless bullying, shaped her personality and worldview. She described herself as having become “feisty” and prone to seeing things in black-and-white terms, often making decisions without considering the gray areas. This mindset, she explained, carried over into her adult life and career. One such instance was her experience on an unnamed movie set, where she faced poor treatment that left her so traumatized she felt compelled to file complaints with the studio. While she didn’t go into specific details about what happened, she revealed that the situation was severe enough that the studio offered her over $1 million to accept their apology and sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA).
Despite the substantial sum of money, Munn refused to sign the NDA, even though it meant walking away from the financial payout. She emphasized that her decision wasn’t about the money but about protecting her voice and integrity. The timing of the incident—during the height of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements—made the situation even more fraught. Munn feared that signing the NDA would allow the studio to claim she only spoke out for money, undermining her credibility and the validity of her experience. This fear was compounded by the broader societal narrative at the time, where women who signed NDAs for financial settlements were often vilified or dismissed.
When Munn’s lawyers presented the offer, she was adamant in her refusal. She recalled telling her lawyer, “I’m not taking it,” and feeling a deep sense of pride as she walked away from the deal. While she acknowledged that her decision was driven by anger and frustration, she also recognized it as a learning experience. Over time, she came to understand the importance of channeling her emotions into more thoughtful and constructive actions. Looking back, she remains confident that she made the right choice, one that aligned with her values and allowed her to maintain her integrity.
Munn’s commitment to speaking out against injustice is well-documented. In her 2010 essay collection, Suck It, Wonder Woman!: The Misadventures of a Hollywood Geek, she alleged that director Brett Ratner had masturbated in front of her on a film set in 2004. Later, when more women came forward with similar accusations against Ratner, Munn publicly identified him as the perpetrator. In 2018, she again took a stand when she discovered that a convicted sex offender, Steven Wilder Striegel, had been cast in Predator. Munn advocated for her scene with Striegel to be cut from the film, using her platform to challenge the decision to hire him despite his criminal history.
Munn’s experiences underscore her unwavering dedication to justice and her refusal to stay silent in the face of wrongdoing. By sharing her story, she continues to highlight the challenges faced by women in Hollywood and beyond, demonstrating the strength it takes to stand up for what is right, even when it comes at a personal cost. Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of accountability and the impact one voice can have in driving change.
