Lily James reveals the vital reason she starred in Bumble creator biopic Swiped

by

Lily James recently discussed what inspired her to play Whitney Wolfe Herd in the movie *Swiped*, a biographical film about the tech entrepreneur.

This movie tells the story of the first woman to become a billionaire on her own, starting with her days as a college graduate. It follows her as she helps create Tinder and then goes on to found Bumble, the innovative dating app.

After suing Tinder for sexual harassment and reaching a confidential settlement – where no wrongdoing was admitted – the entrepreneur remains bound by a non-disclosure agreement with the company.

She added: “I think it’s a relevant and important conversation that we all need to be having.”

The UK government is developing a new law, the Employment Rights Bill, to stop companies from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to cover up harassment or abuse in the workplace.

In the movie, James powerfully depicts the intense emotional toll – like panic attacks and anxiety – that resulted from being legally prevented from speaking out after the accusations became public.

You know, as a movie fan, it’s awesome when a film can spark a conversation or even just touch on something important. That’s what James said – if this movie can contribute to a bigger discussion, even in a small way, everyone who worked on it would be incredibly proud. It’s all about making something that resonates, you know?

The actress said she wasn’t very familiar with Whitney Wolfe Herd’s story before getting involved in the project, but she was drawn to the opportunity to portray a woman succeeding despite facing a difficult, male-dominated workplace.

James started by saying he found her story incredibly inspiring, particularly her remarkable professional achievements. He was also deeply moved by the personal challenges she faced as a woman and how she persevered. He felt empowered by her journey and was eager to share it on screen.

James has previously portrayed real people, most recently as Pamela Anderson in the Disney+ series *Pam & Tommy*. But she tackles every role the same way, always aiming to bring authenticity and emotional depth to her performances.

When portraying a real person, I feel a strong obligation to tell their story respectfully and accurately. I focus on bringing honesty and dedication to the role, and I work incredibly hard to do them justice.

No matter if I’m playing a made-up character or someone who really lived, I always feel a strong need to be truthful and show as much genuine human emotion as possible in my work.

Read More

2025-09-19 13:34