Jodie Foster Says Gen Z Is "Really Annoying" in the Workplace, but Worth Mentoring

Renowned actress and True Detective: Night Country star, Jodie Foster, recently sparked an interesting conversation about the work habits of Gen Z in the entertainment industry. In a candid interview with The Guardian (via EW), Foster shared her thoughts on working with the younger generation and described them as "really annoying" at times. However, she also emphasized the importance of mentoring them and helping them navigate the challenges of the industry.

Foster's comments reflect her experiences working alongside individuals from Gen Z, typically those born between 1997 and 2012, many of whom are emerging talents in Hollywood today. While she didn't mince words in describing some of their work habits, she also revealed her commitment to guiding them, drawing upon her own journey in the entertainment world.

In her interview, Foster pointed out some of the aspects of Gen Z's work style that she finds frustrating. She noted their tendency to arrive at work later than expected, with statements like, "Nah, I'm not feeling it today. I'm gonna come in at 10:30 a.m." This contrasts with the traditional punctuality often associated with the older generations.

Foster also touched upon their approach to communication, particularly in emails. She mentioned encountering grammatical errors and spelling mistakes, to which she would provide feedback. In response, Gen Z would question the necessity of such meticulous attention to detail, asking, "Why would I do that, isn't that kind of limiting?" Gen Z is obviously more casual and relaxed attitude toward formalities in written communication, which might differ from Foster's generation's expectations.

Despite her remarks of frustration, Foster believes in the potential of the young generation. Drawing from her own experiences growing up in the entertainment industry, she expressed a deep commitment to mentoring and guiding them.

Foster shared: "I do a lot of reaching out to young actresses. I'm compelled. Because it was hard growing up." She went on to highlight the importance of teaching young actors how to relax and be themselves, rather than feeling the pressure to conform to industry standards. She believes in helping them discover their unique qualities and strengths, which she finds to be a more fulfilling path.

The filmmaker said: "They need to learn how to relax, how to not think about it so much, how to come up with something that's theirs. I can help them find that, which is so much more fun than being, with all the pressure behind it, the protagonist of the story."

While she admits that some aspects of Gen Z's approach to work is "annoying," she still sees the potential within this generation. One thing is for sure, if you’re going to make it in the entertainment business, you’ve got to work your freakin’ ass off and make smart decisions. Even then, success is not guaranteed! So, if there’s a lot of laziness going on, I’m not sure how those people are going to succeed.