Growing older isn’t a curse for women; we should redefine our perspective

We need to stop treating aging as the worst thing that can happen to a woman.

At 62, Demi Moore won her first Golden Globe and received her first Oscar nomination for her role in The Substance, a film that challenges the rigid societal and aesthetic standards imposed on women to determine their worth.

Despite a 45-year acting career, Moore stated that this was her first prize. Many people questioned her, suggesting she was "past her prime" for Hollywood recognition—yet male performers from her generation continued to win jobs and awards. Few expected she would make such an impression, let alone win.

Earlier in her career, Moore was often oversexualized in her roles. But as she aged, she, like many actresses before her, was cast aside in favor of younger talent. The entertainment industry has long favored youth, expecting actresses to maintain firm skin and a toned body. Once they age out of Hollywood’s narrow window, typically by 40—they are swiftly replaced.

This trend has impacted a few actresses. Elizabeth Banks, for example, auditioned for the role of Mary Jane Watson in Spider-Man but was rejected because she was "too old," despite being the same age as Tobey Maguire. Instead, Kirsten Dunst, a decade Maguire's junior and still in her teens, was cast in the part.

Credits By Angela Natividad