Travolta and Foster Both Wear the Pants

Posted on December 5, 2007 at 1:25 pm (PST)

At the Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Power 100 breakfast, Jodie Foster said, "I don’t feel very powerful."

"I feel fragile … unsure, struggling to figure it all out," the 45- year-old actress-director-producer said Tuesday as she accepted the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at the event, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Foster characterized herself as a "professional" and a "gentleman." But she also said that after working in entertainment for 42 years, "there’s no way you can do that and not be as nutty as a fruitcake."

"I always feel like something of an impostor. I don’t know what I’m doing," she said. "I suppose that’s my one little secret, the secret of my success."

Lansing, former chief of Paramount Pictures, said she was overwhelmed when the Hollywood Reporter decided to name its award for female leadership in entertainment after her.

"I’m equally if not more overwhelmed to be presenting it to Jodie," said Lansing.

Other speakers at the 16th annual event included "Hairspray" co-stars Queen Latifah and John Travolta, who played Edna Turnblad in the film.

"I woke up saying, ’What dress do I wear today,’" Travolta quipped. "Because I’m a woman who believes in the power of women, I said, ’Wear the suit.’"

FYI: Hairspray is a great musical. Go see it if you get the opportunity.