Saoirse Ronan has admitted that she has had private conversations with her "dear friend" Paul Mescal about women's safety after her comments on The Graham Norton Show went viral.
The Hollywood star found herself being praised by fans on social media following her appearance on the show as she commented on gender-based violence while sat in an otherwise all-male couch of guests including Paul, Denzel Washington and Eddie Redmayne.
Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK, Saoirse admitted she is good friends with Paul and the topic raised on Graham's show is not alien to them in their own private discussions. She explained: "Paul being one of my very dear friends, I've had conversations like that with him before and he completely gets that and completely understands that.
"But I think the fact that there was a moment like that that happened on a show like Graham Norton, which is something that the entire nation channels and to watch and even overseas, it's something that people tune into, it seems to have had an accessibility which seems to have really gained traction, which I think is amazing.
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Getty Images for Academy Museum)"It's opening a conversation and again, hopefully it's allowing more and more women to just be like, well, yeah, actually, let's talk about our experience." Saoirse also admitted she hadn't expected such a widespread reaction to her comments as she urged "more women to speak out."
She said: "The reaction has been wild. It's definitely not something that I had expected, and I didn't necessarily set out to sort of make a splash. But I do think there's something really telling about the society that we're in right now and about how open women want to be with the men in their lives.
"So many men and women that I know from all over the world have gotten in touch with me about this one comment, which is, again, I would urge people, please, please, please to watch this in context. Please watch the whole interview or watch at least that part of the conversation, because it really wasn't about… the boys weren't sort of like debunking anything that I was saying.
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PA)"But at the same time, it felt very similar to like when I am at dinner with a bunch of my friends and I will always make the point that, well, this is actually an experience that we go through every single day, 100%."
The interview in question saw Eddie reveal he was taught how to use a phone to retaliate in the event of an attack during his training for The Day of the Jackal. Amused by the concept, Paul, 28, replied: "Who is actually going to think about that? If someone actually attacked me, I'm not going to go 'phone'," as he mimicked taking a phone out his pocket to film. Graham, 61, laughed at the idea and quipped: "Can you hold on a second?" Eddie added: "That's a very good point."
Saoirse then reminded her fellow stars of the harsh realities women face stating: "That's what girls have to think about all the time," as the panel were stunned into silence before agreeing with her. She then turned to the audience and said: "Am I right, ladies?" as they applauded her.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk
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