Justine Bateman Defends Herself After Being Called “Old” at 40 and Why She Wants to Age Naturally

People often have a habit of freezing celebrities in their minds when they were at the peak of their fame, forgetting that they are human beings who age like everyone else. In addition, the widespread use of cosmetic surgery and fillers today further distorts our perception of how people naturally look as they age. However, fortunately, there are still some celebrities who remind us that there is absolutely nothing wrong with looking different as we age compared to our younger years.

Justine proudly embraces her age.

If you were a kid or teenager in the ’80s and ’90s, you probably remember Justine as Mallory Keaton from the popular TV show Family Ties. But after that, she shifted her focus from acting to working behind the scenes. Now, she’s a successful author and director. In a recent interview, the actress, now 57 years old, came back into the spotlight to share an important message with all women concerned about getting older.

When she reached her 40s, people considered her “old.”

Justine didn’t think about getting older until she had to search for something online. She wanted to research and refresh her memory about something that happened during her fame. But when she typed her name, Justine Bateman, into Google, the search autocomplete suggested: “looks old.” This happened when she was only around 40 years old.

That revelation actually boosted her self-confidence.

When questioned whether she had ever considered cosmetic procedures, Justine explained that plastic surgery would cause her to “lose all of her authority.” She expressed contentment with her current appearance and emphasized that she finds satisfaction in the visible signs that indicate she has evolved into a different individual from her younger self.

She even decided to write a book about her experiences.

Justine doesn’t criticize those who choose to undergo beauty treatments to appear younger, but she does express a feeling of sadness for them. She explains that she feels sorry for those so preoccupied with the idea of fixing their appearance that it distracts them from focusing on the meaningful aspects of life. In 2021, Justine Bateman released a book titled “Face: One Square Foot of Skin,” which addresses this significant issue.

Women shouldn’t spend too much time fixating on their looks.

Justine shared some exciting news: “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with your face!” she wrote as the caption for an Instagram post promoting her book. Justine draws from her experiences to illustrate society’s obsession with how women’s faces transform as they age. When asked about the beauty of aging, Justine firmly states that she doesn’t care about others’ opinions. She confidently asserts, “I think I look rad. My face represents who I am. I like it, and that’s basically the end of the road.”

Several notable figures in the public eye have made the conscious choice to embrace natural aging, rejecting the pressure to undergo cosmetic interventions. One such individual is Cameron Diaz, who boldly opted to age gracefully without relying on Botox or similar treatments. After an unpleasant experience where Botox altered her appearance in an unexpected manner, Diaz decided to embrace her natural features and allow the aging process to unfold authentically.

Preview photo credit Invision / Invision / East News, Invision / Invision / East News

My daughter and Son In Law shamed me for getting a tattoo at 75. I decided to give them a lesson

It was a sunny morning in New Orleans, and Elis, at 75, decided to do something bold and unexpected. The idea of getting a tattoo had been bubbling in her mind for a while. She wanted to feel young again, to embrace life with a fresh sense of vigor. So, she walked into a tattoo parlor, chose a delicate design that symbolized her resilience and love for life, and got inked. She felt a rush of excitement and satisfaction as she admired the artwork on her arm. This was her statement to the world: age was just a number.

The Unexpected Backlash

Excited to share her new tattoo, Elis invited her family over for a small gathering. She imagined their surprise and hoped for a positive reaction. However, the moment her daughter saw the tattoo, her face twisted in disapproval.“Mom, what on earth were you thinking?” she exclaimed. “At your age, getting a tattoo is not just inappropriate, it’s downright embarrassing. You’re supposed to be a dignified grandmother, not some rebellious teenager. It looks ridiculous, and people will laugh at you.”For Illustrative Purpose OnlyElis felt a pang of hurt, but what followed was even worse. Her son-in-law, whom she had always treated like her own son, burst into uncontrollable laughter. He laughed so hard that he could barely stand, tears streaming down his face.“That’s hilarious, Mom! Seriously, a tattoo at your age?” he managed to say between fits of laughter. Elis’s heart sank. It wasn’t just the words; it was the cruel mockery that hurt the most. She felt humiliated and deeply wounded by their reactions.

Planning the Perfect Payback

Determined not to let their harsh words and laughter define her, Elis decided to turn her pain into power. She recalled how her son-in-law, a man who did nothing but dream of becoming a millionaire while relying on her daughter for everything, had hurt her deeply. This was the final straw. Elis resolved to teach him a lesson he would never forget.Over the next two days, Elis meticulously planned her revenge. She decided to expose her son-in-law’s laziness and lack of ambition in a way that would be both humiliating and eye-opening for him. She reached out to a few of her friends who were skilled in various trades, including one who was an excellent actor.

The Day of Reckoning

Two days later, Elis put her plan into action. She invited her family over again, this time under the pretense of needing help with some household repairs. Her son-in-law, always looking for an excuse to avoid real work, reluctantly agreed to come.When they arrived, they found Elis waiting with a toolbox and a list of chores that needed to be done. She handed the list to her son-in-law, who looked bewildered.“What’s this?” he asked, confused.“I thought you could help out with these tasks,” Elis said sweetly. “After all, you’re always talking about how handy you are.”For Illustrative Purpose OnlyHe glanced at the list, which included tasks like fixing the leaky faucet, repairing a broken fence, and rewiring a lamp. He looked around, realizing there was no way he could do any of these tasks.Just as he was about to protest, Elis’s friend, the actor, arrived dressed as a professional contractor. He introduced himself and began to demonstrate how to tackle each task, making it look easy. The son-in-law watched, flustered and embarrassed, as he fumbled with the tools, unable to keep up.

A Lesson Learned

As the day progressed, – it became clear that the son-in-law was utterly incapable of completing even the simplest tasks. Elis watched with a mixture of satisfaction and pity. Her daughter, seeing her husband’s incompetence, began to realize how much she had been enabling his laziness.Elis’s plan worked perfectly. By the end of the day, her son-in-law was exhausted, humiliated, and forced to confront his lack of practical skills. Elis pulled him aside and, with a calm but firm voice, said, “You laughed at me for wanting to feel young and alive again. But look at you now. Maybe it’s time you grew up and started taking responsibility for your life.”Her words struck a chord. The son-in-law, humbled by the experience, apologized for his behavior. He promised to make a real effort to improve and become more self-reliant. Elis accepted his apology but made it clear that she would not tolerate any more disrespect.

Moving Forward –In the weeks that followed, Elis noticed a change in her son-in-law. He began taking on more responsibilities and actively sought to better himself. Her daughter, too, started to appreciate her mother’s strength and independence.As for Elis, she continued to embrace life with the same youthful spirit that led her to get the tattoo. She joined a local fitness class, started attending social events, and even began dating again. She proved to herself and everyone around her that age was no barrier to living life to the fullest.Elis’s bold step had not only rejuvenated her spirit but also brought about a much-needed change in her family. And every time she looked at her tattoo, she smiled, reminded of the strength and courage it took to stand up for herself and teach a valuable lesson in the process.