Constance Zimmer’s Powerful Message for Women Facing Menopause in Hollywood Video
At the recent Power Women Summit 2025, actress Constance Zimmer delivered a powerful message about women facing menopause in Hollywood. She emphasized the need for more authentic storytelling that accurately represents women in their 50s and 60s. The event took place at the Maybourne Beverly Hills in Los Angeles and was presented by STARZ #TakeTheLead.
Constance Zimmer’s Call for Representation
Zimmer, a renowned actress and advocate, challenged entertainment professionals to portray real-life stories of middle-aged women. She stated that Hollywood has largely ignored the complexities of women over 40. Instead, they are often depicted as merely older versions of their younger selves. “Where are the real women living who are in between their 50s and their 60s?” she questioned.
The Challenge of Menopause in Media
During her panel titled “Redefining the Narratives of Midlife and Menopause in Film & TV: We’re Not Your Mother’s Midlife Crisis!” Zimmer highlighted a report from the Geena Davis Institute. The report found that out of 225 films featuring a female character over 40 released from 2009 to 2024, only 6% addressed menopause. Alarmingly, these mentions were often made in jest or as secondary remarks.
- 225 films analyzed
- 6% included references to menopause
- Only one film presented a meaningful storyline about menopause in 15 years
Zimmer remarked, “You’re either angry or you’re hot, and it’s not that kind of hot.” She noted that entertainment media plays a significant role in shaping perceptions of menopause, as 14% of women under 40 first learned about it through TV and film.
The Obligation of Storytellers
Zimmer called on entertainers to embrace their duty to portray authentic female experiences. She criticized the stereotypes often seen in characters over 40, such as the “bitch,” “cougar,” and “ice queen.” Instead, she noted, “A woman in perimenopause is just beginning her journey into the rest of her life.”
Empowering Messages for Women
The actress also shared personal insights from her role as Quinn King on “UnReal.” Initially, she thought Quinn was simply a woman contending with a male-dominated world. However, she later realized that her character was experiencing perimenopause.
Zimmer concluded her address with an empowering message: “You are aging into your agency, into your wisdom, into your boundaries.” She encouraged women to share their stories and demand representation that reflects their realities.
Conclusion
The 2025 Power Women Summit showcased the importance of women’s narratives in Hollywood, particularly regarding menopause. Constance Zimmer’s advocacy serves as a rallying cry for greater representation of middle-aged women in film and television, urging others to challenge existing stereotypes and embrace the stories that truly matter.
