This week’s episode of American Horror Story: Delicate slipped in a sharp critique of the drama surrounding Olivia Wilde’s Don’t Worry Darling.
On Wednesday night’s episode of the Rosemary’s Baby-esque season, Emma Roberts’ character Anna is given advice about how to handle the press by her publicist Siobhan (Kim Kardashian) after fainting at an awards show.
“We are going to pull a Wilde card. As in Olivia Wilde,” Siobhan said, referencing the Don’t Worry Darling press tour. “Don’t mention what happened and wait until everyone forgets slash low-key gaslight the people that do ask and make them think that they’re the problem. Because, you know, sexism.”
When Olivia Wilde’s film Don’t Worry Darling premiered at the Venice Film Festival, instead of talking about the movie itself all of the buzz was surrounding a behind-the-scenes controversy. There was a supposed feud between the 39-year-old director and star Florence Pugh stemming from Wilde dating Harry Styles while on the set of Don't Worry Darling.
The controversy got worse when Shia LaBeouf (who was originally cast in Style’s role) released a video Wilde sent him where she was trying to convince him to return to the film, calling Pugh “Miss Flow” and seemingly blaming her for some of the issues.
Wilde faced harsher critiques than male directors who have committed far worse offenses because at its core the controversy stemmed from sexism—much like Kardashian’s character pointed out.
As a result Pugh opted out of doing press for the film and has continued to refuse to answer questions about it since, which is the exact advice Siobhan gives Anna.
This isn’t the only time the 12th season of AHS has taken aim at a controversial pop culture moment. In a clever nod to Kardashian’s Marilyn Monroe dress debacle, Siobhan has Anna wear a dress that belonged to Madonna and advises her, “Do not rip it.”