Olivia Wilde sparks divide over comments about actresses with Botox and filler

Olivia Wilde has sparked a major discussion online after weighing in on Botox and filler, as well as the immense pressure actresses face to look young.

The Hollywood star admitted during an appearance on The Run-Through with Vogue podcast that she's experienced those same pressures herself, confessing that being an actress comes with a particularly difficult catch when it comes to ageing.

And although she appeared to call for a kinder approach to women's appearances, fans were left divided over the solution she floated, with some insisting she was 'so close' to making an entirely different point.

"It's interesting because, as a director, I now am constantly searching for actresses who can still move their faces, and it's not easy," she began. "It's not easy, and I don't blame them."

Claiming she's a 'product of the same machine' and often faces the 'same pressures', Wilde insisted, 'I get it'.

She continued: "I just pray for, like, technology to allow for treatments that just aren't so aggressive.

Wilde expressed a desire for 'less aggressive' forms of Botox technology (Alessandro Levati/Getty Images)

"There's something so medieval about a lot of these things, like, can't someone come up with something better than Botox that just, like, doesn't force us to do these things? Because I'd rather do that."

"I think it's great that more people are sort of talking about it - I remember seeing Olivia Colman be like, 'I love Botox', and I was like, '[gasps] she's so cool'. Like, if she loves Botox, it's cool!"

Wilde concluded: "It's a thing that actors - the struggle is that [your face] is your instrument. You have to be able to use it, but then you have to go on a [red] carpet.

"I've had that thing of people being like, 'She looks old and dead and awful'. You're like, 'F**k! You win!'. It's impossible."

Unfortunately for The Invite actress, however, her latest remarks have seemingly rubbed several social media users up the wrong way.

While many appreciated her honesty about the harsh realities of Hollywood, they were quickly disappointed after she proposed a less extreme alternative to Botox, rather than speaking out against what she described as 'impossible' standards.

Her remarks haven't gone down too well (Getty Stock Images)

One X user hit out: "The way I thought she’d call out Hollywood for being ageist but instead proposed a milder Botox alternative."

Another recommended: "Maybe stop supporting unrealistic beauty standards and making young women (and men) feel like they need to get plastic injected into their faces and bodies."

A third went on: "She was almost there. So close."

A fourth jibed: "Fascinating logic."

Several responded to Wilde's request for technological advances that achieve the same result as Botox while leaving behind some flexibility, insisting self-appreciation is the correct solution.

"But there is something better than Botox: it's called self-acceptance and fighting against the beauty standards that Hollywood imposes on women," one fiery user wrote back.

Another continued: "Dismantling sexism is the 'something better'. That, and culturally embracing the inevitability of death.

Critics joked that Wilde was 'so close' to making a good point (Alessandro Levati/Getty Images)

"Male actors feel less pressure than female actors for sure, but the pressure to stay looking young still exists."

Others, meanwhile, raised issues with Wilde honing in on actresses who've already solidified themselves a space within the spotlight.

"Please. She could find so many unknown girls dying to act who haven’t done a thing to their faces," one wrote. "But people want trendy names nowadays so they can put butts in seats. Give unknown talent a chance."

Another agreed, suggesting Obsession actress Inde Navarrette specifically and advising Wilde: "So hire young actresses? Inde is a good example. Give juniors a chance."

Several internet users came to the consensus, however, that the Don't Worry Darling star was onto something - even if she didn't word her explanation exactly right.

"I think she's just being realistic in the sense that those pressures are never going to go away," one wrote. "And ageing naturally does ostensibly result in actual fiscal disadvantages with fewer bookings and attention."