Sarah Jessica Parker Has the Perfect Response to Carrie Bradshaw Backlash
Sarah Jessica Parker knows Carrie Bradshaw has always sparked strong opinions—and she’s okay with that. The “Sex and the City” star, who’s spent decades bringing the beloved character to life, recently got candid with HuffPost U.K. about the backlash Carrie still gets.
NEW YORK – April 14: Actresses Cynthia Nixon (L) and Sarah Jessica Parker film a scene from “Sex and the City” in Lincoln Square April 14, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images)Whether it’s on the original series or in the “And Just Like That” reboot, fans continue to dissect every choice she makes, but Parker believes there’s a clear double standard: when male characters misbehave, they’re forgiven—even celebrated. For women? Not so much.
Sarah Jessica Parker Calls Out Double Standards in How Women Characters Are Judged
“It’s always interesting to me that [Carrie is] so condemned, but a male lead on a show can be a murderer, and people love him,” Parker said. “If a woman has an affair, or behaves poorly, or spends money foolishly […] there’s a kind of punitive response to it.”
Actors Sarah Jessica Parker, as Carrie Bradshaw, and Chris Noth, John James Preston or Mr. Big, on the set of “Sex and the City”. (Photo by HBO/Getty Images)Her point is clear: women on screen are often held to a much stricter standard than men, especially when they behave imperfectly.
Even Negative Critique Can Be a Win, Says Sarah Jessica Parker
Even with the criticism, Parker finds meaning in the passionate responses to Carrie’s journey.“But I ultimately think that all those feelings are pretty fantastic,” she said.
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 29: Sarah Jessica Parker attends the “And Just Like That…” Season Three Photocall at Hotel Napoleon on May 29, 2025, in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)“That kind of connection and those kinds of strong feelings, both positive and negative, are pretty wonderful. People are kind of captive in those moments to something, and I think that’s perfectly fine.”
Carrie Bradshaw Is Human—And That’s the Point
Parker believes the backlash against Carrie often overlooks the central point of her story: that even intelligent, decent people can make mistakes. “That smart people make bad decisions sometimes [and] are foolish in judgement,” she explained.
385528 12: Actors (From Left To Right) Willie Garson Stars As Stanford, Sarah Jessica Parker Stars As Carrie, Kristian Davis Stars As Charlotte, Kim Cattrall Stars As Samantha And Cynthia Nixon Stars As Miranda In The Hbo Comedy Series “Sex And The City” The Third Season. (Photo By Getty Images)Despite Carrie’s romantic missteps, Parker sees her as a genuinely good person.“I think, fundamentally, Carrie is an extraordinarily decent and good person—an extremely devoted friend. She’s generous of spirit and time, in all she has to offer,” she said. Of course, Carrie has “made mistakes” or “not been mature in love,” she added, “but that’s only human.”
Sarah Jessica Parker is back as Carrie Bradshaw in season three of “And Just Like That”, continuing the character’s journey with new twists and familiar heart. New episodes drop every Thursday on Max.
RelatedSarah Jessica Parker calls out double standards, saying Carrie Bradshaw gets judged harshly while flawed male characters are celebrated. | Source: EntertainmentNow
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