Isla Fisher says she was pressured into stripping for men's magazines; best friend Kate Ritchie admits jealousy of her career

Isla Fisher has revealed that her early modelling work for men’s magazines happened with little agency, describing it as not a high point in her career. The Australian actress, known for Now You See Me, Wedding Crashers and The Great Gatsby, spoke during an appearance on Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie on Wednesday morning, reflecting on how power dynamics operated in the industry when she was starting out. She said she knew she had limited input and that decisions were often made without her say.

Fisher said she 'didn't really have a choice' about those assignments and that she 'doesn't remember ever feeling like I could weigh in on anything until I got into my 30s.' The comments came as she discussed the era with Ritchie, a former Home and Away co-star who has described herself as 'jealous' of Fisher’s career at times. Ritchie noted Fisher’s prominence in the late 1990s, including a FHM cover and being listed among the magazine's 100 Sexiest Women in the World in 1997 and 2003. Fisher framed the period as a difficult but pivotal step in a broader career arc, one she has since recalibrated as she gained agency with age and experience.

In reflecting on her current priorities, Fisher said she has begun refocusing on her career after years spent prioritising her family. She told listeners she is 'refocusing on my career, because previously I was very much focused on my kids, which I still am... [They're] my true love. But I'm enjoying tackling work again' and is working to solidify her identity outside of her marriage.

Fisher and Sacha Baron Cohen, whom she married in 2010, share three children. The pair announced their separation at the end of 2023 after 14 years of marriage, and they finalised their divorce in June 2025. In a shared message posted to both of their Instagram accounts, they wrote: 'Our divorce has now been finalised. We are proud of all we've achieved together and, continuing our great respect for each other, we remain friends and committed to co-parenting our wonderful children. We ask for the media to continue to respect our children's privacy.'

The actress expanded on her experience with the divorce in a Harper’s Bazaar interview, describing the process as a 'tough couple of years' but emphasising optimism for the next chapter. She said she was learning to navigate life as an individual again, prioritising her children while rebuilding her professional identity and pursuing projects that excite her. It marks a notable shift as she balances legacy roles with new opportunities and a renewed focus on personal autonomy and career goals.

As Fisher moves forward, she continues to emphasize the importance of privacy for her family and the stability she hopes to provide for her children, even as she redefines her place in the industry. The trajectory underscores a broader conversation in entertainment about the pressures on young actresses in the industry and the evolving nature of agency as women gain more influence over their professional choices.