Picture this: You’re about to video chat with Hollywood royalty, and there she is – Jamie Lee Curtis, sitting in a darkened room like some brilliant spectre from a horror film (and yes, the irony isn’t lost on me). But unlike her Halloween character Laurie Strode, Curtis isn’t fighting masked killers anymore. She’s taking on a far more insidious enemy: the beauty industry’s chokehold on women.
When Curtis declares that “generations of women have been disfigured,” it hits different. Having covered celebrity culture for 15 years, I’ve watched countless stars transform themselves trying to meet impossible standards. But Curtis isn’t having it anymore.
“The ‘cosmeceutical industrial complex’ isn’t just a fancy term,” she tells me, with that characteristic direct gaze that makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world. “It’s a machine that feeds on women’s insecurities, and I’ve been part of that machine.”
There’s something properly refreshing about Curtis in 2025. Gone is the Hollywood gloss, replaced by an authenticity that’s rarer than a decent cuppa in LA. “At 66, I’ve finally stopped apologising for aging,” she says, and I’m reminded of my mum’s similar epiphany last year when she binned all her anti-aging creams.
But here’s the kicker – Curtis isn’t just talking about personal choice. She’s taking aim at a system that’s made billions convincing women they’re not enough. “Every time a young actress gets work done, it’s not a choice – it’s surrender to a broken system.”
As our chat continues, Curtis shares war stories from decades in the industry. “I had a filmmaker suggest I ‘fix’ my eyes in the ’80s,” she reveals. “Can you imagine? Telling a young woman her actual face needs ‘fixing’?” It’s enough to make your blood boil.
Curtis believes the beauty industry’s influence has reached a critical point, especially with social media filters and AI beauty standards affecting younger generations. She feels a responsibility to challenge these norms while celebrating her success at 66.
While Curtis acknowledges having tried procedures herself in the past, she now advocates for natural aging and questions the psychological impact of the “cosmeceutical industrial complex” on women’s self-worth.
According to Curtis, while there’s more conversation about ageism, the pressure on women to maintain youthful appearances has intensified with high-definition cameras and social media scrutiny.
As our interview wraps up, Curtis leaves us with a thought that’ll stick: “What if we spent as much time celebrating our wisdom as we do fighting our wrinkles?” What if indeed.
In an industry that often feels like it’s gone mad for youth, Curtis stands as a beacon of sanity. And as someone who’s spent years interviewing celebrities, I can tell you – this kind of honesty is as rare as rocking horse droppings.
Share your thoughts on Hollywood’s beauty standards below. Has Curtis’s message struck a chord? Let’s keep this conversation going.