Justine Bateman spoke about her experience and relationship with aging on the “Today Show” show and her words have inspired others to shift their perspectives.
Bateman told Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie that views around aging boil down to fear more than anything else.
As she pinched her skin, she said, “It doesn’t have anything to do with (this). The opportunities in your life are still going to come to you regardless of… the age of your skin. Your life doesn’t care about any of that. The only person that’s going to axe you out of those opportunities is you.”
Bateman, 57, has been in public view since her breakout role as Mallory Keaton in “Family Ties” — when she was just 16 years old. Since then, she has led a career as a successful writer, director and producer.
The interview came after she spoke to “60 Minutes Australia.”
“Well, when you say, ‘Is there beauty in aging?’ aren’t you really saying, ‘Do you think it’s possible for other people to find aging beautiful?’ ... I think I look rad. I think my face represents who I am. I like it, and so that’s basically the end of the road,” Bateman said.
Since that interview, people across the country have been showing her support online, thus prompting her appearance on “Today.”
Her words have touched the hearts of younger women as well — a “60 Minutes Australia” viewer DM’d Bateman to thank her for the impact she had on her 16-year-old daughter.
“Hey, did you guys see the ‘60 Minutes’ thing with Justine Bateman?’” the star recalled the teen saying from the direct message. “She said, ‘It was great! Now I’m not afraid of getting old!”
To those who feel as if they need to change their body, Bateman said it stems from the fear younger women have observed in those older than them.
“You’re being lied to. Who’s making money off of this?” the actress/author said on “Today.” “You’re being lied to and you’re being tricked off your path. ... You got some awesome things coming your way. Just stay on your path.”
The “Violet” director advocated for journaling and advised women to write down their fears. She gave a prompt to viewers: “I’m afraid if people think I look old, then, therefore, __”
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