Winona Ryder on Aging Gracefully at 53 & Rejecting Botox: ‘I Always Wanted to Be Older’

At 53, Winona Ryder, whose career began with iconic roles in “Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands,” and the iconic “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” is telling Hollywood to ease up on the Botox talk. With a resume packed with early success, Oscar nominations for “The Age of Innocence” and “Little Women,” and a standout part in “Stranger Things,” Ryder isn’t shy about rejecting cosmetic pressure.

In a candid interview with Elle UK, she shared, “I started my career as the youngest, and I always wanted to be old.” She’s definitely proving it, and proudly. Have you seen how she looks? Phenomenal! 

Hey, Hollywood! Hold the Botox!

Ryder opened up about the subtle, and let’s face it, not-so-subtle, suggestions she’s heard from directors to smooth her face through injections. “They’ll say, ‘Just relax your forehead. Relax.’ I’m trying to be a great actor, and they’re saying that over and over,” she told the magazine. 

“It’s nice that people are talking about how it’s OK to age, but there’s still enormous pressure. Every role I get is for a mother, you know? My career has definitely shifted.’

She didn’t pull punches about the wider atmosphere, either, which is rare to see in some actresses who decide to be hush about what procedures they have undergone. “What’s weird is when you’re surrounded by young women getting weird sh–t done,” she said, referencing trends going on right now. “I thought they were kidding. I want to say, like, ‘In 10 years, you’re gonna want that back.’” 

Her stance is more than just a cosmetic preference; it’s a statement on artistry. Ryder believes that freezing youthful expressions can hinder her acting skills, and she’s fine with being recognized for her depth and emotion, not a lack of lines on her face.

After Stranger Things & Beyond

Ryder’s sinuous turn as Joyce Byers in “Stranger Things” introduced her to a whole new generation. The beloved sci-fi series helped redefine her career and earned her a Golden Globe nomination, which was definitely well deserved. Now that “Stranger Things” is wrapping up, she’s riding on that momentum! But she’s not chasing youth to stay relevant.

She remains grounded and passionate about genuine storytelling roles, either those motherly parts she lands now or something delightfully unexpected in the future. Of course, we have to appreciate her amazing return to “Beetlejuice” as Jenna Ortega’s mom! Talk about a phenomenal casting. So, yes, as she ages on-screen, she continues to channel a grittier, wiser energy that only time can bring.

Her Aging Takes Center Stage & Deserves a Standing Ovation

Ryder’s refusal to conform to Hollywood’s beauty checklist? That’s powerful. She’s owning her age, her face, and her craft. She isn’t just embracing getting older; she’s elevating it. Her message lands not just for women in their 50s, but for anyone tired of feeling forced into cosmetic expectations. It’s truly refreshing to see it, but of course, we expect it from her. She’s always been a laid-back actress who is in it for the craft! 

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to “smooth it out,” take a page from Ryder! Confidence comes in expressions, not erasures. Her eyes say it all! She wants to be older, and we’re here for that.

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