Andie MacDowell has a new interview with AARP to promote her Hallmark show The Way Home and her new movie with Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, Goodrich, out in theaters now. I haven’t even heard of it before I read this interview, but the trailer makes it look cute. It’s written and directed by Nancy Meyers’ daughter, Hallie Meyers-Shyer (Home Again). I have been a fan of Andie’s since Four Weddings and a Funeral, I used to watch that on repeat on VHS, and I love how open and blunt she is now. Older women give the best interviews because they/we just do not care. We have seen too much and dealt with too much crap to keep silent about it. To AARP, Andie talked about how she can be overlooked as an older person and how she’s ready to relax a little bit and travel. She loves working though, particularly on her series The Way Home.
What excites you the most about this chapter in your life?
I think it’s the time when you really want to get over all your issues, because time’s running out. I’m embarrassed that I still have issues. I think when you’re younger, first of all, you have kids and you’re interested in so many social things and you get out there. You have much more of an interior life the older you get.What are you looking forward to in your next life chapter?
I’ve saved a lot of money. I have worked so hard. I was not the kind of person that took a lot of vacations. I want to take a vacation with my sisters. They’re like, “You have to make time.” So I’m ready to fulfill those dreams. I really want to do some fun things, spend time with my grandchildren, hopefully be a fun grandmother. Continue to work. I enjoy my job.How has your approach to life changed as you’ve gotten older?
I just know how to problem-solve. I recognize I’m more emotionally in control. [I have a] richer, more nuanced way of thinking. Wisdom is the short way of saying it.Do you feel that Hollywood’s approach to aging has changed? Has the narrative changed?
We can create a new narrative. We only get caught up in the idea that we are invisible. Though I do feel like sometimes it does happen, and you have to recognize it and do something about it. I have actually said to someone before, “Can you see me?” because I was being dismissed. Because there is so much emphasis on youth that when you’re on set as a mature person … you can get overlooked. You really can. And I’ve had to stand up for myself and say, “Hello, can you see me? I’m right here. I’m right here.”
Maybe AARP is just great at editing down interviews, but she has so many excellent quotes in this short piece. So much of it resonated with me, particularly the part where she said she wants to keep working but that she’d like some vacation time too. You have more choices as you get older and you don’t stress as much over things that used to bother you. I also like how she talked about her interior life as an older person and how she’s not as interested in socializing. You start to realize what matters and it’s not going out all the time and having superficial relationships with people.
Photos credit: Norbert Scanella/Panoramic/Avalon, Oliver Sanchez/Julie Edwards/Avalon
I’m almost her age and she’s absolutely right!. I still remember her L’Oréal commercial from decades ago. “$500 for a lil ol pair of snakeskin boots”!! She’s from my hometown too:)
Serious role model. With each passing year she gets wiser and more stunning.
Whether it’s her and/or the editing this is a great interview. I’m glad that she’s in a good place with her life and yes, take those vacations!
On a totally superficial note that purple dress may be one of the most amazing dresses I’ve seen from a ‘I would do anything to have that in my life’ perspective. I’d wear it every day.
I came here to say the same thing!!! DAMN it’s so good. And she makes it even more stunning.
Her hair has always been spectacular but the silver is just glorious. Major hair envy here!!!
I turned 44 this year and I definitely understand what she’s talking about in regards to wanting to travel and vacation more and having more of an interior life. I am an introvert anyway, but I will say I have become even more selective of how I spend my energy when it comes to socializing. I don’t need to hang out with people every weekend. I like spending time with friends but I like doing it on my own terms. And then going home lol!
Mother of the e enormously talented dancer/actress Margaret Qually.
60 year old here.
Note that Andie said she saved a lot of money. Traveling is expensive. With her “get over your issues'” quote, she also noted a difficult-to-accept reality of growing older-you only have so much time.
To enjoy your Golden Years and have them not be a stress fest, you must have two basic things: good health and enough money to be comfortable.
Once you get into the realm of financial problems or health issues, it’s a whole new ballgame.
I will not get personal, but what I will say is this: do your preventative screenings! Get your vaccines (especially COVID/influenza annually plus the shingles series-you do not want to get that illness!)! Exercise! Eat well!
It looks like Andie has got it covered, and good on her.
@ravensdaughter: Excellent points
Lest we forget, it’s quite a privilege to make it to your 60s with no major health problems. I retired when I was 42 and knocked everything off of my ‘to-do’ list before I turned 52, which is (conveniently enough) when I got diagnosed with a chronic terminal cancer. I am in remission, but I definitely don’t have 1/20th the energy or immune system I had before. Sometimes in life it’s OK to put off the fun things until later, but in some cases, like mine, I was so fortunate that I was able to clear my bucket list early. You never know when you wake up in the morning how many more hours/days/years you have left, make them all count!!
@ravensdaughter, you can’t wish yourself magically healthy and wealthy, but I’ll be 62 in a few weeks, and — the little things matter. Start saving a little as early as you can. Take reasonable care of your health. I’ll never have my 25-year-old body again, but I find the calm and confidence that comes with life experience more than outweighs the gray hair and wrinkles.
She’s so gorgeous. I fell in love with her from L’Oréal print ads in the mid 80s. Remember the one where she had a bird nest in her hair? They were all over the top heavy makeup and so dreamy. Whenever I saw a new one I would go out and buy exactly the cosmetics she was wearing in the ad 😂. She was looking oddly tweaked for a few years recently, glad her face is back to itself and I just adore her still.