This is something I've been thinking of for a while, and thought I'd get the board's thoughts on it. I was thinking about actresses, especially from the '90s, who have been given the monomer "America's Sweetheart", and how we really haven't had anyone like that in the last 20 years.

I think of actresses like Meg Ryan, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts, and others who we've called that in the past. Is this just an outdated term? When you watch interviews of these women when they were coming into their own, they always seemed so sweet and charming, and I can't think of any up and coming actress I would label the same way, today.

Do yall think it is just an outdated concept or is it just a lack of that mix between sweet/charming lead actresses and heartwarming rom-coms that we haven't had much of in a while?

According to this, the last was Jennifer Aniston, who is now 55. I tend to agree.

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/560943/people-who-have-been-called-americas-sweetheart

Jessica Alba? Emily Stone?

I feel like Stone was definitely on that path, but then she semi-retired for a while there and kind of lost momentum.

Edit: Was thinking of J-Law. Still feel like Stone slowed down though.

Edit:TLDR I agree with OP's post. Roles in movies have changed. Less Rom-coms, actresses aren't/don't want to be marketed that way. Society has moved away from it.

I wonder if the lack of a modern America's Sweetheart is attributable to a general decline in rom-coms, more diverse rolls for actresses, and a general shift in attitude in what makes someone "America's Sweetheart." Also, actress seem more brand conscience and don't necessarily want this label.

Here are the ones who I think have historically fit the criteria and my thoughts on why they aren't:

1. Reese Witherspoon

Probably overlooked as coming on the heels of Jennifer Anniston and Sandra Bullock. Modern career is more selective roles and meatier roles. Also, she has become a mogul and brand in her own write. Being a Boss/Media Mogul doesn't fit with "America's Sweetheart."

2. Anne Hathaway

She had the American Sweetheart starter kit with Princess Diaries and Devil Wears Prada. Moved on to more selective roles and some action roles. I wonder if being an action star is another exclusion?

3. ScarJo/J-Law

Early career grooming for the role, became an action stars. Both seem to want to avoid that type of branding.

4. Emma Stone/Zendaya/Anna Kendrick

I am grouping these three together for a similar point. They all represent the broader acceptance of femininity. Today there isn's as concrete societal standard of what the all-American woman looks like.

With actresses being able to go from rom-coms, to indie/oscar-bait movies to action movies give actresses a broader appeal. Also, modern actresses also tend to become their own brand, producers, and business moguls. This makes them more complicated than the "America's Sweetheart" contemplates.

I think in some ways "America's Sweetheart" is like "America's Heavyweight Champion" changes in public perception, different avenues/opportunities, and changing societal views have made the titles obsolete.

In my own opinion, I think the next one might be Margot Robbie

agz win said:

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Sandra Bullock deserves mention.

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I think she and Aniston were co-titleholders, one for movies and one for television.

LeonardSkinner said:

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And if we take the "actress" qualifier out, isn't the most likely answer Taylor Swift?

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Given current trends of pop culture, she would seem to be the first who comes to mind.

I can definitely see Reese Witherspoon as one, and Sandra Bullock is one I had in mind as well, but wasn't really looking to list everyone from that time period.

These are all still women who got their start in the 90's.

Actresses like Emma Stone, while I do like her as an actress and like most of her movies, just aren't what I picture as "America's Sweetheart". I can't quite verbalize why, she just isn't. Definitely for someone like Zendaya, I don't find her the least bit charming.

I also agree that it's hard to think of someone "bearing it all" many times in movies to be someone in that category.

As to the point that the definition may have shifted, I can honestly see that as an argument. However, I would argue that where it seemingly has shifted to seems too far removed from what it was, that I wouldn't use the same term to define it.

Definitely an interesting archetype we had for so long that seems to have disappeared in Hollywood.

Reese witherspoon is who comes to mind. Didnt she start a wholesome kids brand as well? Never had a controversy and presents herself as a run of the mill kind good natured woman.

DallasTeleAg said:

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As to the point that the definition may have shifted, I can honestly see that as an argument. However, I would argue that where it seemingly has shifted to seems too far removed from what it was, that I wouldn't use the same term to define it.

Definitely an interesting archetype we had for so long that seems to have disappeared in Hollywood.

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In thinking about it some more, I think it is just an archetype for an early career. Then as the actress's career progress the marketing shifts towards something else.

This I think covers the comments on J-Law, Anne Hathaway, and Emma Stone's on this thread.

America's Sweetheart has always been a marketing term and the marketing is changing as tastes change.

I think the modern actress career goes through the following phases:

1. Sweetheart
2. Serious Actress
3. Entrepreneur/Action Star/Icon

It's chauvinistic, perhaps, but I think the perception of "America's Sweetheart" includes not being a mom (and you could say they might need to possess an almost virginal quality).

Needs to be somewhat wholesome, and not a 10 hot. Sweethearts necessarily aren't super hot knockouts. Those are just extremely hot women. Has to be cute enough to still pull off a rom com though.

Anne Hathaway is a great fit. Probably the best I've seen listed.

Amy Adams, Brie Larson, Amanda Seyfried (although her career has slowed)? Elizabeth Olsen needs more non marvel work.

Dakota Fanning?

I definitely think there has been a lack of really good rom-coms for a while. The one I can think of that was really big was Crazy Rich Asians, which I thought was cute, but over-celebrated because it was an all Asian cast (no issue at all with the all Asian cast, but definitely was a big player in its popularity).

Can you be in the consideration if you aren't starring in a good rom-com?

I'm not really buying either one, but are your best current candidates Jenna Ortega or Millie Bobby Brown?

No love for Rachel McAdams?
Yes, I know she's a Canuck.

DallasTeleAg said:

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I definitely think there has been a lack of really good rom-coms for a while. The one I can think of that was really big was Crazy Rich Asians, which I thought was cute, but over-celebrated because it was an all Asian cast (no issue at all with the all Asian cast, but definitely was a big player in its popularity).

Can you be in the consideration if you aren't starring in a good rom-com?

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The lead from that movie couldve been the next America's Sweetheart until she got cancelled/blackballed by Hollywood for being a huge B.

Don't forget Rachel McAdams. She's never quite owned the block for an extended period, but she's been consistently delivering since bursting on the scene in 2004 with both Mean Girls and The Notebook (when she may have briefly held the mantle, before Hathaway's takeover in 2006 with The Devil Wears Prada). 14 years later, and McAdams also starred in what I personally consider to be the last great (romantic?) comedy, Game Night.

Beat me to it. Was typing as you posted this. I also forgot she's Canadian.