Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O'Donnell declined to answer a question about her age from a TV talk show host - saying it was 'misogynistic'. The star, who plays Michelle in the hit comedy show, was appearing on Ireland's Late Late Show.
Presenter Ryan Tubridy acknowledged it "might be a rude question", before saying to Jamie-Lee: "Can I ask how old you are?” She was quick to call him out and share her views on the difference between questions for male and female performers.
She jokingly said she was 17, but "very, very wise" for her age. Tubridy then made the point again, saying, “Would you consider telling me what age you are?” to which O’Donnell said: “This gets on my nerves a wee bit," Glasgow Live reports.
She added: “It’s always quite misogynistic even if it’s not intentionally misogynistic, because men don’t get the same scrutiny.” As the discussion continued, Tubridy said he would "definitely" ask a man the same thing.
He said the question was a compliment given that she plays a teen "so well". The host then stated that he would "move on to something else, because I can read a mood when I see it”, to which O’Donnell replied: “I was going to give you a hilarious anecdote, but go ahead.”
According to Independent.ie, she previously declined to answer the same question posed by Tubridy during a radio interview in 2018. At the time she said it was because "a bit of a big deal was made of it with Nicola (Coughlan, her co-star in Derry Girls) and I don't think it was very fair".
Born in March 1992 in Derry, Jamie studied performing arts at De Montfort University in Bedfordshire. She worked in theatre and as a dancer for promotions and pantomimes before landing her first big role.
The actress shot to fame for her role in Derry Girls, now in its third and final season. She has since also played a leading role in Channel 4 drama Screw.
She has been dating DJ Paul McCay since 2016 after they reportedly met through mutual friends in Derry.
