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Marina Sirtis on Leaving USA: “I Can’t Be In That Country Anymore”

Marina Sirtis 5th Passenger
Marina Sirtis in “5th Passenger”/Credit: Epic Pictures Group

Former Star Trek actress Marina Sirtis was recently interviewed on her decision to leave the US, telling The Big Issue that “I can’t be in that country anymore.”

The British-born entertainer recently moved back to the United Kingdom. She gave an interview to a UK magazine about some of the reasons why, including political turmoil in the US.

Why Sirtis Left the USA

According to the actress, “January 6 did it for me. When we had an insurrection in Washington, a bunch of lunatics trying to overturn the election. I was worried that there was going to be a civil war. And his supporters have guns.”

The assault on the Capitol building was a devastating and shocking turn of events for many Americans.

For Sirtis, the horrific scene happening in the United States Capitol was the final straw.

Although she had lived in this country for years, she has been saddened by the turn it has taken due to what she terms “political extremism.”

According to Sirtis, “it’s become this place of hatred and vileness where you could tell someone to put their mask on and they’ll spit in your face. Where they’re beating up Chinese people because Trump called it the China virus. He ripped the plaster off and all the evil has come pouring out.”

Sirtis Fell in Love With US at First

This was not always how Sirtis felt about the US. In fact, when she first moved out west to California, she absolutely fell in love with the country.

“America changed so much in the 35 years that I was there. When I went, I literally thought I’d died and gone to heaven. It was brilliant. And then this right-wing, fascistic mentality started taking over,” Sirtis opined.

The backdrop of the heated discourse and assault on previously won rights on the US also created a “state of anger and fury” that Sirtis couldn’t deal with any longer, according to the actress.

Although she is aware some of these problems also exist in the UK, she doesn’t believe they affect daily living to the same extent. As Sirtis said, “I’m worn out. Abortion and women’s rights and gay rights – we did it. Why are we having to have these fights again?”

Women in Hollywood vs. UK Entertainment Industry

The actress also shared some career reasons for her move. According to her, “career opportunities are better for a middle-aged woman in England.”

It’s generally true that in Hollywood, a female actor’s opportunities for roles, especially important and leading roles, go down significantly as they age. Many US stars have commented on the treatment they are subject to as older women, including Jennifer Aniston.

In the UK, it seems many women have easier access to opportunities behind the scenes as well. As Sirtis stated, “I have noticed that TV is a real women’s medium in the UK. Most of the producers are women. A lot of the directors are women. A lot of the writers are women. And they write for women and not just 25-year-old blondes.”

Related video: Marina Sirtis on Ageism in Hollywood and her Greek background

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