Julia Roberts and Sean Penn discuss cancel culture and the importance of shame in today's society

In 2025, Julia Roberts and Sean Penn shared their perspectives on cancel culture in a revealing discussion with Variety. The pair focused on the importance of "shame" and the role it could play in the entertainment industry today.

During the conversation, Roberts discussed her latest project, After the Hunt, and described a moment of insight while spending time with her fellow cast members. She realized that the culture today is missing a crucial element: genuine listening.

"Luca Guadagnino, Andrew Garfield, Ayo Edebiri, and Chlo Sevigny came to our home and stayed at our kitchen table for days. We had countless conversations," Roberts explained. "Truly bright people dont compete to be heard. They share their ideas and feelings, and then they listen carefully. That listening is something our culture has drifted away from, because discussions escalate so quickly, and people are just waiting for their turn to prove themselves right."

Both Roberts and Penn agreed that listening and humility should be revitalized in modern discourse. "It was wonderful to spend that time with such intelligent people and to hear their thoughts. We didnt reveal all our characters secrets, but it was a stimulating exchange of ideas," Roberts added.

Penn contributed, "'Not everything is meant to make you comfortable' and it felt good to hear someone express that openly." He further emphasized, "In this era of talk therapy and the 'trauma industry,' shame has become undervalued. People shouldnt shy away from feeling ashamed; it can help cultivate humility."

Roberts concluded by reinforcing the sentiment, noting the significance of embracing "real humility" in both personal and professional life.

Author: Natalie Monroe