Olivia Wilde has finally addressed the long-standing rumors regarding reported friction on the set of her 2022 directorial debut, Don’t Worry Darling.
The production, which starred Florence Pugh and Harry Styles—with whom Wilde had a brief romantic relationship—became a focal point of media speculation. The film’s press tour was largely overshadowed by allegations of a fallout between Wilde and Pugh, with reports suggesting the two clashed over Wilde’s availability on set.
Speaking with The Cut, Wilde categorically denied these claims. “I have never had a screaming match on my set. I was never not available on set. I wanted to be like, ‘None of this is true,’” she stated.
Wilde explained that her initial silence during the controversy was a result of directives from the studio. “I was told, ‘Don’t say a fucking word. Just go out there and smile,’” she revealed, adding that while she resents that approach, the experience taught her how she prefers to handle public narratives in the future.
During the interview, Wilde also discussed her experience being pigeonholed by the public, referencing advice she received from Jennifer Garner, a former co-star from the 2011 film Butter. Wilde noted that the public often assigns women specific archetypes, and in her case, she felt cast as the “full-on villain,” comparing her public image to that of Cruella.
The film’s promotion was further complicated during its Venice premiere by a viral video that appeared to show Harry Styles spitting on co-star Chris Pine. Pine later clarified that the incident never occurred, describing Styles as “a very, very kind guy.”
Reflecting on her past relationship with Styles, Wilde described their time together as “wholesome and sweet,” despite the intense “parasocial” scrutiny they faced online. Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, she remarked, “It’s almost like [our] happiness made them mad… I would go to his shows and dance, and people were like, ‘Oh, how could she?’ ”
