Sharon Stone didnโt hold back as she addressed the state of American politics during her appearance at Italyโs Torino Film Festival on Monday, November 25.
The legendary Basic Instinct star, now 66, was honored with a lifetime achievement award at the event, but her sharp critique of U.S. voters stole the spotlight.
The panel discussion coincided with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, prompting Stone to reflect on broader societal issues, including the recent election of Donald Trump.
Stone, known for her candid demeanor and activism, delivered a pointed assessment of the current American mindset.
โWe have to stop and think about who we choose for government,โ Stone remarked. โAnd if, in fact, we are actually choosing our government, or if the government is choosing itself.โ
Drawing comparisons to Italyโs tumultuous history, Stone warned the audience about the dangers of complacency in a democracy. โItaly has seen fascism. Youโve seen these things. You know what happens. Youโve been here before,โ she said, before turning her focus back to her homeland.
โMy country is in its adolescence,โ she continued. โAdolescence is arrogant. It thinks it knows everything; itโs naive and ignorant. Thatโs where we areโignorant, arrogant adolescence. Weโve never been in this situation before.โ
Stone went on to criticize the lack of global perspective among many Americans, citing statistics on limited international travel and education.
โEighty percent of Americans donโt even have a passport,โ she noted. โWhat I can say is that the only way we can address these issues is by helping each other.โ
In fact, aย common myth circulating online claims that only 10% of Americans have passports. While this was accurate back in 1994, the reality has changed significantly. Today, over 40% of Americans hold passports, and that number continues to rise each year.
Her remarks echoed sentiments expressed by Alec Baldwin just days earlier at a screening of The Hunt for Red October. The actor, also 66, lamented the lack of awareness among U.S. citizens.
โAmericans are very uninformed about reality,โ Baldwin said, referencing global crises like climate change and the war in Ukraine. โThey want a little bit of information, but not the whole picture.โ
Both stars have been vocal supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 election. Stone publicly endorsed Harris in August, praising her leadership and advocating for more women in power.
โItโs not just because sheโs a woman,โ Stone said. โWe know from experience that companies with female leaders perform better.โ
Baldwin echoed this sentiment in a recent Instagram video, contrasting Harrisโs environmental policies with Trumpโs. โOne candidate doesnโt have the passion or belief to do whatโs necessary,โ he said. โThe other is far better on key issues like environmental protection.โ
While both Stone and Baldwinโs comments have drawn praise from their supporters, theyโve also sparked controversyโsomething neither actor is a stranger to. Stoneโs unfiltered words and Baldwinโs recent legal troubles surrounding the Rust shooting have only added fuel to the fire.
But one thing is clear: these Hollywood icons arenโt afraid to speak their minds, even when their opinions divide audiences.
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