Breaking beauty barriers, these five famous celebrities boldly embraced their natural look, going makeup-free after their 50s and sparking conversations worldwide about aging gracefully in the spotlight.
Getting older as a prominent figure in Hollywood can be daunting. With constant scrutiny from countless fans, it’s no wonder a large number of actors turn to cosmetic surgery to maintain their youthful looks.
Alyssa Milano
On her birthday, Alyssa Milano has a tradition of posting a selfie on her Instagram page and reflecting on her impressions and lessons. The “Who’s the Boss” actress was understandably nostalgic and hopeful.
She did the same on her 48th birthday and, in her post, expressed how she felt about her appearance. Her skin may not be as taut and her body as supple as when she first entered the business, but they reflect the experiences she has endured and enjoyed.
Such self-awareness is a gift, but people would use social media platforms to express their unfiltered opinions about others. Milano and other public figures often find themselves targets for hurtful comments, personal attacks, and even bullying. One such poster tweeted, “Alyssa Milano was hot back in the day. Now she still attractive but crazy which makes her ugly.”
The “Insatiable” star attracts online hatred not only for her celebrity status but also for her views, which she isn’t shy about. She is vocal about humanitarian and progressive causes, using her resources and her platform to comment on issues she believes in.
Some would describe Milano as a social media activist. She was instrumental in the re-emerging of #MeToo in 2017, originated by fellow activist Tarana Burke. Her tweet resulted in a global movement where many victims of sexual exploitation felt supported to speak out about what they had gone through.
The actress is also politically engaged and her socials reflect her affiliations. She hosts “Alyssa Milano: Sorry, Not Sorry,” a podcast that “tackles social, political and cultural issues,” which often puts her at odds with those with a different opinion. The most notable “beefs” were between Milano and her “Charmed” costar, Rose McGowan, and tech-prenuer and Twitter owner, Elon Musk.
If you’ve been sexually harassed or assaulted write ‘me too’ as a reply to this tweet. pic.twitter.com/k2oeCiUf9n
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) October 15, 2017
Whether one aligns with her beliefs or appreciates her photos, Milano, the activist, the actress, or the 50-year-old wife and mother are all parts of a human being worthy of love and respect.
And many appreciate her unfiltered posts. In response to her birthday selfie, psychologist and author Amy Cuddy commented, “Happy birthday, Alyssa!!! I’ve never felt stronger, braver, more content, and more beautiful than I have this year, since I turned 50 in July. Here’s to a strong, brave, beautiful 50!!! ”
Fellow actress Milla Jovovich also commented, calling Milano a joy and a force of nature who uses her voice to tell it like it is. And on Twitter, a friend called the actress-activist a “sweet, brilliant, beautiful angel,” saying she brings joy and light to many lives.
In her latest birthday post, Milano is obviously in a balanced and happy place, as she says she is pleased to be here as who she is and in the moment. She expresses her appreciation for how far she has come and says, “There’s still so much to look forward to!”
She also reminded her followers to count their blessings, love those close to them, and keep moving. Taking stock of what one has, whether it is one’s birthday or not, inspires one to be compassionate toward those in need.In 2021, Milano released a book of essays called “Sorry, Not Sorry” that spawned her podcast of the same name. In it, she dedicates a chapter to her husband of 13 years, talent agent David Bugliari. Speaking about what their relationship has taught her, Milano said:
“Love, in many ways, is a constant state of apology. It means recognizing the things that you fail at, knowing that the person you love sees them too, and trying so hard to be better at them. But most important, it means being loved in return even with those shortcomings. It means that the apology is usually accepted, and it’s usually sincere.”
The “Melrose Place” actress continues to say that loving one another means not taking each other for granted. A heartfelt apology is not an easy thing to give. Neither is forgiveness. Love means recognizing each party’s effort and giving each other the space to succeed or fail.
In her book, Milano shared about one of the most challenging parts of her marriage to Bugliari. They conceived soon after their wedding in 2009. Sadly, she had a miscarriage, and the newlyweds were understandably upset. But the actress was fighting an internal battle.
She blamed herself for the loss of their baby, thinking God was punishing her for the abortions she had in her twenties. But her husband stood by her and reinforced the dream they had to become parents would one day come true.In that painful moment, he made her laugh, which is one of the reasons Milano hates that work engagements often take her away from Bugliari. The couple has been blessed with two children, Milo, 11, conceived three months after their miscarriage, and Elizabella, 8.
Alyssa Milano is grateful that she and her husband put in the work, faith, love, and patience to stay together. Their children are the product of that love, and they enjoy seeing them grow. When she looks back at her life, Milano is in awe of what love created.