You'd be hard-pressed to find something to dislike about Divergent star Shailene Woodley. The girl is so environmentally-friendly she makes her own bath products; she's best buds with Jennifer Lawrence; she's outspoken, even when her own film is the on in the wrong; and she's got some beautiful thoughts on how love between two people — any two people — works. Now, the actress is on her final push of publicity before her Young Adult fiction-inspired flick hits theaters and she's ruffling some feathers, or whatever defining characteristics Twi-hards would like to be identified by. Woodley is no Twilight fan.
Speaking with Teen Vogue for her April 2014 cover shoot, Woodley muses about the YA franchise that started it all — even the feminist triumph The Hunger Games. "Twilight, I'm sorry, is about a very unhealthy, toxic relationship," she says while Edward Cullen obsessives all over the world cry foul. But Woodley's not one to just swing at major, established franchises without some proof.
"She falls in love with this guy and the second he leaves her, her life is over and she's going to kill herself! What message are we sending to young people? That is not going to help this world evolve," she adds. But how right is Woodley? Let us count the ways.
1. Edward Gets Bella Into Trouble
In the first movie (and book) Edward and Bella get together against his better judgement and what happens? A rival vampire decides Edward's relationship with a human is puzzling and decides to hunt Bella for sport and though Edward is the one who saves her, she almost gets killed because the dude is a vampire.
Yeah, this could be a metaphor for a lot of unfair romantic obstacles, but deep down, this is a vampire story and it almost gets the main character killed.
2. Edward Makes All of Their Decisions
Bella wants to be a vampire, but Edward hates being one so he says no. This is supposed to be a gesture of love, but let the girl think for herself, you sparkly-skinned brooder.
3. Bella Nearly Kills Herself When Edward Leaves
Edward leaves because it's his fault Bella is considered hunting sport and this drives Bella into such depression that she spins in the same chair for months on end and then dives off a cliff into the ocean because whenever she has a near-death experience, she sees Edward and her life is apparently worth one last glimpse.
4. Bella is impregnated with a demon baby that is killing her from the inside.
Oh hell no. Even if that baby does turn out to be a cute little girl later.
5. Bella is Willing to ditch her loving family forever to become a vampire and be with Edward.
Choosing a man over a sweet, caring family is always the first sign of trouble in any story.
Woodley may not be winning any points with Twi-hards, but that doesn't mean this 22-year-old is any further from hitting the Twilight stake on the head.
