Hollywood actress Halle Berry is taking a firm stand against societal age-shaming, boldly declaring that she "refuses" to feel ashamed of her age. As she approaches her 60th birthday in August, Berry emphasizes that she feels "more valuable now than ever," directly challenging the pervasive notion in Hollywood that female stars lose their worth with time.
Rejecting Societal Boxes and Embracing Wisdom
In a candid interview with The Times newspaper, Berry opened up about the difficulties women face in Hollywood as they age. She adamantly rejects the premise that actresses become "no longer valuable" over the years, as reported by Female First UK. Berry stated, "Why do we have to be ashamed of the most natural thing that happens to all of us? I'm not having the problem, society has the problem. They want to put me in a box that says, you are now a certain age; you're no longer as valuable as you used to be. I refuse, refuse, to accept it because I know I'm more valuable now than ever. Wiser, smarter, stronger, better. It's a privilege to age but it's been so stigmatised, especially for women."
Highlighting Gender Disparities in Age Discussions
Berry went on to critique the double standards in how age is discussed for men versus women in the entertainment industry. She pointed out, "If they talked about men's ages too, fair game. But they don't. It stacks the cards against us. I don't know how old these male actors are because their age doesn't precede their name. With us, it always does. Soon it will be '60-year-old Halle Berry'. If I had this brain and this wisdom when I was 25, I'd be dangerous. But this comes only with time and age." This observation underscores the persistent gender bias that often diminishes women's contributions based on age alone.
Struggling with Compliments Based on Appearance
As per Female First UK, the Oscar-winning actress also admitted to struggling with accepting compliments that focus solely on her looks. Berry shared, "I die a thousand deaths. It becomes a hard compliment to accept. Year after year after year. When you're striving to be more. I've worked really hard as an actor, and still to be reduced to a beautiful face it's like, hey, wait a minute. Come on'. I say, 'Thank you'. And I smile. Because you're an a****** if you say anything else." This revelation highlights her frustration with being valued primarily for her appearance rather than her professional achievements and personal growth.
Personal Life and Recent Developments
Berry's outspoken comments come as she has found love again in her 50s. She has been dating musician Van Hunt for over five years, and Hunt recently revealed that Berry turned down a marriage proposal from him. This aspect of her life adds a personal dimension to her public stance on aging, showing how she continues to thrive personally and professionally despite societal pressures.
Berry's powerful statements serve as an inspiration for women everywhere, encouraging them to embrace aging as a natural and valuable part of life. Her defiance against age-shaming not only challenges Hollywood norms but also sparks a broader conversation about gender equality and self-worth in the face of societal expectations.
