Annette Bening Shockingly Recalls Being Told by Hollywood That She Was ‘Aging’ at 35

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Annette Bening is one of the most celebrated actresses in Hollywood, having been nominated for four Academy Awards during her career, and gunning for her latest nod for her work in Nyad. Even with her impressive acting credentials the 65-year-old actress still has been the victim of ageism and sexism in Hollywood. 

The pressure to look young in the entertainment industry is not a new issue, but it seems squarely aimed at women in particular. Bening made the choice not to have plastic surgery, but she revealed to The Guardian when the shocking ageist comments began. “I remember, maybe when I was 35, people talking about how I was aging. Even in your 30s, there were those articles,” she said. She loves that people are worrying about it later in life now, and roles for women in TV and film are more substantial, but she still has concerns.

We’re moving away from the female stereotypes that we all struggled with for so long,” Bening explained. “But then there’s been this weird backlash; there’s a beauty standard for young women that I think is really pretty tough. I don’t envy young women growing up now.” Her outlet for rebelling against the criticism was her work in theatre. “Being on the stage is very liberating. You’re not ever thinking about how you look; you don’t have to,” she shared. “If anything, it’s better for your performance if your mind is off that because then you can imagine being someone who’s very different to you.”

It wasn’t until she began working on camera that aging became a hot topic. “It never occurred to me to deal with that until I had to watch myself,” she admitted. While it’s nice to hear that things have somewhat improved in the Hollywood landscape when it comes to aging, it’s frustrating that it’s even an issue at all. Bening is a master at her craft, and that’s the only thing she should be judged for.

Before you go, click here to see all the celebrity women who have spoken out about ageism.