Movies

Naomi Watts says she was told revealing that she’d hit the menopause at 36 would end her Hollywood career – and even drawing attention to her age would be ‘career suicide’

BBG News

Actress Naomi Watts faced the possibility that her career could end if she publicly acknowledged experiencing menopause.

As a person born in Britain, I found myself grappling with health issues at an early age of 36. I was warned that speaking openly about my age could potentially harm my career, making it a risky move.

Currently at the age of 56, Ms. Watts has opened up about her menopause journey in a fresh publication that seeks to dismantle the age-related stereotypes prevalent in Hollywood.

In her book “Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I’d Known About Menopause”, the actress who played King Kong shares that she was advised not to disclose experiencing menopause or even pre-menopause in the industry, as it might affect her future career prospects.

In the world of Hollywood, they often referred to these kinds of women as “not dateable.” Since my career in acting began, it has been emphasized to me that highlighting my age beyond the range of 23 and under could potentially lead to a fatal blow for my career.

Ms. Watts learned that the recurring hot flashes and night sweats she had experienced for several years were indicators of an early onset of menopause, following a medical consultation aimed at understanding her inability to conceive.

Apparently, I’m approaching menopause,” my physician shared with me at age 36, leaving me puzzled as to why conceiving was proving so challenging. The news left me momentarily dazed, according to her account featured in The Times article.

I asked, catching my breath, ‘What are you implying?’ Menopause is something for older women, like grandmothers, and I haven’t even had children yet. In fact, I’ve come here with the intention of having a baby. Please reconsider your statement.

Naomi Watts says she was told revealing that she'd hit the menopause at 36 would end her Hollywood career - and even drawing attention to her age would be 'career suicide'

Naomi Watts says she was told revealing that she'd hit the menopause at 36 would end her Hollywood career - and even drawing attention to her age would be 'career suicide'
Naomi Watts says she was told revealing that she'd hit the menopause at 36 would end her Hollywood career - and even drawing attention to her age would be 'career suicide'
Naomi Watts says she was told revealing that she'd hit the menopause at 36 would end her Hollywood career - and even drawing attention to her age would be 'career suicide'

Ms. Watts chose to pen the book following her recognition that ‘there is no greater allure than a woman who is self-assured about her desires.’

Ms. Watts mentions: “One amusing occurrence is that various celebrities frequently message me to share they’re going through menopause.

It’s as if I’m standing at a confession booth or serving as a advice columnist for Hollywood. I yearned to find answers regarding menopause, but not a peep was heard from anyone in the glamorous world about it.

It seemed as though women were simply disappearing from our collective perception, somewhere between their more alluring stages of life and their role as grandmothers.

Read More

2025-01-12 02:03

Previous post Love Island: All Stars’ Luca Bish reveals his mother forced him to watch back his series amid misogyny and controlling behaviour accusations as he says new stint is a ‘second chance’