Laura Dern stops trying to ‘mimic’ attractive standards after finding confidence through aging

Laura Dern has revealed that ageing allowed her to stop shaping her identity around what others find desirable. In a candid interview with AARP published on Monday, the 59-year-old actress explained that her youth was spent attempting to “mimic” narrow definitions of beauty.

Reflecting on her early career, she noted: “Tell me who you want me to be, or what you think is sexy or pretty, and I'll try to mimic that in a film. I don't know my own self or my own sexuality yet.”

Now, the Jurassic Park star finds empowerment in authenticity, asserting that “vulnerability is sexuality.” Dern also criticised the entertainment industry for overlooking stories about the aging process, despite its universality.

She contrasted Hollywood’s attitudes with French and Italian cinema, where older actors are often celebrated. “Someone told me I was brave for being willing to age on screen — to be myself at every age and not hide the process of aging, which should be empowering and beautiful,” she remarked.

She expressed concern that beauty standards are becoming harsher, noting that even her daughter’s peers now discuss using Botox at twenty-one to prevent wrinkles.

Dern’s perspective has been shaped by a lifetime in the industry, having been born into a family of actors. While she was once warned that her prospects would decline after forty, her parents encouraged her to look forward to the complex roles that maturity brings.

Currently, she continues to advocate for deeper character explorations at every age. Following her recent reflections, Dern is expected to remain a vocal proponent for more inclusive storytelling regarding the inescapable reality of growing older.