Halle Berry has sparked discussion once again about Hollywood’s treatment of women over 40, openly acknowledging her lack of fear about aging.
The film industry has historically shown a preference for younger actresses when it comes to casting lead roles, often overlooking women who are past mid-life.
Berry, however, is determined to challenge this narrative. She has spoken passionately about refusing to be sidelined or forgotten as she nears her 60th birthday later this year.
In an interview with The Cut on Monday, Feb. 2, Berry, who will turn 60 in August, discussed her new role as Sharon Coombs, a middle-aged insurance broker, in the upcoming movie Crime 101.
“Her character rang so true for me. You get to this age where you feel like you’re being marginalized, devalued. You feel it at work. You feel it from society,” she expressed.
“But I have adamantly decided I am not going to allow myself to be erased,” she continued. “That’s why I’m on my menopause mission. I’m going to be louder than I have ever been.”
As part of her mission, Berry aims to address some of the more taboo aspects of aging, including dispelling the stigma around issues like dry vaginas.
“Look, it happens to more than 60 percent of women as we get older. Everything gets dry! If we talk about it and laugh about it, there’s no more shame or embarrassment,” she noted.
“I’m almost 60,” she added. “Fighting for women’s health feels like a formidable cause for my second act.”
This isn’t the first time Berry has been open about aging. She previously shared with PEOPLE her thoughts on approaching her milestone birthday and experiencing menopause.
Berry remembered being cautioned, “‘Being an actor, you don’t want to start talking about menopause.’ “
“And I’m like, ‘But my age is printed before my name every time I read. So it’s not like I can hide it and why should I?’ ” she remarked. “But I got the same pushback. ‘Be very careful: You’re going to put yourself in a box.’ “
“I’ve had a 30-year career being an actor, but what empowers me and what feels really good is I can take my second act,” Berry continued. “It’s been the joy of my life in so many ways but taking the second act and really focusing it on women’s health, I can’t think of a better way to spend my next chapter of my life.”