Image Credit: Danielle Vasinova
The land of Hollywood in many ways shapes minds and opinions. Viewers see worlds depicted on screen and are given hope and inspiration; they’re challenged to dream more and expand their imagination. And when it comes to propping up strong-willed, inspirational women characters, Hollywood has also historically played a massive role, as acclaimed actress Danielle Vasinova is quick to prove.
Having recently starred in hit television shows such as The Bay and Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone spinoff 1923, Vasinova knows good and well the importance of strong female representation. It is her belief that by portraying these roles on-screen, she and other actresses can inspire the next generation.
The Gap in Representation and the Popularity of Female-Led Roles
As Danielle Vasinova and many other actresses are well aware, there is somewhat of a gap in terms of who earns more roles—and more money—in Hollywood. As of 2021, an It’s a Man’s (Celluloid) World study found that a whopping 85% of films in Hollywood featured more male characters than female characters. And as of 2024, Forbes’ list of the top 10 highest-earning actors featured nine men and only one woman.
And yet, even though they are seemingly featured less, women perform extremely well at the box office. In fact, a 2018 report from the Creative Artists Agency, Shift7, showed that movies led by women between the years of 2014 and 2017 put up massive numbers at the box office.
And then there’s the impact of these roles. As Danielle Vasinova is well aware, films and television shows with strong female representation inspire younger audiences in more ways than one. They show young women that they are capable of anything—that they don’t have to stand behind men and that they can follow whatever career paths they choose.
Danielle Vasinova’s Strong Female Roles
The Emmy Award-nominated Danielle Vasinova is no stranger to the role of the independent, intelligent woman. Aside from being a trailblazer in real life, the Native American and Czech actress also often depicts one on-screen.
Whether in 1923 or The Bay, Vasinova consistently brings nuance, intrigue, and resilience to her roles. As Ata Waipa in 1923, she portrayed a Comanche woman who witnessed the brutal slaughtering of her fellow tribe members. She brought depth and sincerity to the role, making it possible to move audience members and shift their empathetic capacities. And in performances like those, she continuously inspires young audience members to seek out what they’re owed.
Danielle Vasinova
What’s Next for Danielle Vasinova
The future is bright for Danielle Vasinova—and just as she has in the past, she’s continuing to prioritize roles as bold, uplifting women. She’s set to appear in another Taylor Sheridan series, The Madison, later this year, as well as Queens of the Dead and The Leader, a cult story that will star Vera Farmiga, Tim Blake Nelson, and Michael C Hall. With each role, Vasinova plans to approach the character with fierce dedication and project empowerment on-screen.
As a creator and producer, Danielle Vasinova also envisions a brighter, more committed Hollywood. Her goal is to help shape a landscape in which women share the screen equally with men—one where they can plot their own paths and build their own characters and legacies.
About Danielle Vasinova:
Emmy Award-nominated actress Danielle Vasinova is well-known for her work in Taylor Sheridan’s 1923, several action-adventure films, TV series roles, and as Belle in Belle’s War. She will be starring in the Yellowstone spinoff, The Madison, set to premiere later this year. Vasinova is an avid equestrian and currently resides in Los Angeles.
