In years past, actresses on the Oscars red carpet were often asked about their fashion choices or relationships instead of their roles.
This year, though, activists worked hard to change change the conversation with a hashtag called #askhermore. The movement, started in 2014 by an organization called The Representation Project, challenges reporters to ask actresses questions about their work and achievements.
The hashtag gained high-profile champions in advance of the awards show. Reese Witherspoon posted on Instagram a list of questions she wanted to hear on the red carpet. Television creator Shonda Rhimes shared a similar list and actress Lena Dunham showed her support as well.
When Witherspoon walked the carpet, she elaborated on her support in an interview with Good Morning America host Robin Roberts.
"This is a movement to say we're more than just our dresses," Witherspoon said. "This is a group of woman -- 44 nominees this year that are women -- we are so happy to be here and talk about the work we've done. It's hard being a woman in hollywood or any industry so it's exciting for me to talk to some of the other nominees to talk about the work they've done."
The hashtag clearly resonated with viewers. By the time the red carpet concluded, more than 27,000 tweets had been sent using the hashtag, according to Topsy. It also cracked the trending search terms in the U.S. on Twitter throughout the red carpet broadcast.
The hashtag inspired some in-depth questions, many of them from Roberts. Her interview with Julianne Moore led to a conversation about Alzheimer’s research and her questions for Witherspoon prompted the actress to talk about her challenging role in the movie Wild.
The reviews on Twitter were largely positive, proving that looking beyond an woman's dress is indeed fashionable.
In case someone needs help figuring out what to ask these smart talented women, some suggestions: http://t.co/UNyaGIA1wU #askhermore— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) February 23, 2015
Ask her about the causes she supports, not her support garments #oscars #AskHerMore: http://t.co/RdjPR3k6pB— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) February 22, 2015
Loving #askhermore, but would also like to see #askhimmore on red carpet, ie: why haven't you taken a clear, public stand against sexism?— Soraya Chemaly (@schemaly) February 22, 2015
#AskHerMore Shouldn't just be for red carpet celebs. Encourage woman everywhere to ask more of herself and fellow women. #EmpowerYourselves— Samantha Laughs (@MasteringOxford) February 22, 2015
Is it me or are the questions from @RyanSeacrest a bit more interesting this year? Keep it up #AskHerMore— Kate (@mulberrywall) February 23, 2015
Interesting to see some social action coming through the oscars tonight - obviously still a long way to go #HeForShe #AskHerMore— Kate Marshall (@kmarshallFWW) February 23, 2015
Thanks @RobinRoberts for asking real questions and engaging women in a dialogue & not about her clothes. #AskHerMore #OscarWomen— Women's Media Center (@womensmediacntr) February 23, 2015
Yes! @RobinRoberts discussing #AskHerMore on the #OscarsRedCarpet on ABC! She mentioned Reese Witherspoon's involvement! @TheRepProject— Danielle Stern (@daniellestern) February 23, 2015
Love the #askhermore concept -- it's more than the dress (and trust me - i am also obsessed with the dresses, as well)! #Oscars2015— Amy Martin (@AmyMartin216) February 23, 2015
#AskHerMore is the best thing about the #Oscars2015. Fashion is an important part of the industry but it's not the end all be all.— Kavita Dogra (@KaveetsD) February 23, 2015
We love that @_juliannemoore's wearing Chanel but in a role so important for #caregiving, we can't help but wonder why he didn't #AskHerMore— AARP (@AARP) February 23, 2015
Is #askhermore working? These interviews are more interesting than usual. I'm actually listening.— classicmovieblg (@classicmovieblg) February 23, 2015
I like that I don't know who @_juliannemoore is wearing, but I'm learning that Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death #AskHerMore— Ashley Van Buren (@avb) February 23, 2015
This is the first time I'm actually interested in watching the red carpet show #askhermore #Oscars2015— Michaela Allen (@_michaelaallen) February 23, 2015
Watching the #Oscars2015 red carpet with Willa. We're talking about how smart the actresses are AND how beautiful, too! #AskHerMore— Sally Kohn (@sallykohn) February 23, 2015
Put an end to #sexist #Oscars red carpet questions: Ask him about work-life balance, grooming, & diets #AskHerMore #GenderGap— Laura Franceschini (@LauraGFrance) February 23, 2015
Without #AskHerMore would Julianne Moore and Robin Roberts be discussing Dementia on the #OscarsRedCarpet? Yeah, we didn't think so either.— Upworthy (@Upworthy) February 23, 2015