Meryl Streep has revealed that criticism of her accents once made her hesitant to take on certain roles, admitting she grew wary of stepping outside her comfort zone after facing scrutiny for her work in films such as Out of Africa. She said the backlash "muted" her appetite to use her imagination, leading her to avoid parts she might otherwise have pursued, despite being widely regarded as one of the most accomplished actors of her generation.

The actor described nearly turning down the role of Danish author Karen Blixen in Out of Africa before later taking on Francesca Johnson, an Italian-born character with an Iowan accent, in 1995's The Bridges of Madison County, drawing on memories of an Italian war bride who lived near her childhood home in New Jersey. She also recalled her nerves ahead of filming with co-star and director Clint Eastwood, who told her the night before shooting that he hoped she would not attempt "any big accents," a remark she said left her feeling "defoliated," though she ultimately stuck with her original approach and Eastwood never raised it again.