Rose McGowan, along with Executive Producers Jonathan Murray and Amanda Metz, took to the stage for NBC Universal’s TCA winter press tour to discuss the incredibly topical new docu-series, Citizen Rose.
The five part series – premiering two hours on January 30th, followed by the remaining 4 episodes in Spring 2018 – reflects a dramatically changing world, as it follows Rose McGowan as she readies her memoir/manifesto, BRAVE, for release. This series is McGowan’s world: the art, the #ROSEARMY, her special punk brand of activism and the music she makes to heal. By going up against the Hollywood machine, McGowan has shown true courage in the face of adversity and this documentary will take you behind-the-scenes of her tumultuous and fascinating life. She will process, in almost real-time, the massive social change she has helped usher in as well as fight back against those who have hurt so many, including her.
According to Rose McGowan, who spoke candidly about welcoming the public into her private life, she started shooting footage for this show 3 years ago, forcing herself to speak without a script, and just train herself to be Rose. “I’m down with calling this reality because it is… it’s mine”. She also explained her decision to open up and expose her private life which allows her to control how she’s being sold, “I wont let myself be sold like how I was” before.
When it came to production, EP Amanda Metz and McGowan noted that the editing team, along with many of the field producers, are women. “It’s a show about expanding consciousness,” Rose McGowan said, expressing that she hopes and believes that her #RoseArmy can grow to effect legislation. Metz claims this series is not like anything else you’ve ever seen on E! and hopes that it will help women never have to sit silent again.
McGowan also spoke about the part that press plays in all of the recent movements and when asked for changes she wishes to see she said that she doesn’t like when press creates fear regarding “possible” backlash, and encourages press to stop shaming and “look at the language you use.” Her message to press, “I don’t respect those who don’t respect.”
When asked about the #TimesUp movement recently seen on the Golden Globes red carpet, McGowan simply said, “I don’t watch red carpets”.
Citizen Rose premieres with a 2 hour special on January 30th with a 4 part series airing in the Spring.
— Yael Tygiel