Halle Berry refuses to be ‘erased’ by Hollywood as she prepares to turn 60

Halle Berry has reignited the debate surrounding Hollywood’s treatment of women over 40, as she candidly admitted she’s not afraid of growing older.

Traditionally, the movie industry has taken a less-than-tolerant approach to women beyond midlife, often favouring younger stars when it comes to leading roles.

However, Berry is keen to challenge this view and has passionately spoken out about how she will not be sidelined or forgotten as she prepares to turn 60 later this year.

In a new interview with The Cut, published Monday (Feb. 2), the actress, who turns 60 in August, spoke about her new role as middle-aged insurance broker Sharon Coombs in the upcoming film, Crime 101.

“Her character rang so true for me. You get to this age where you feel like you’re being marginalized, devalued. You feel it at work. You feel it from society,” she explained.

Halle Berry is due to turn 60 in August (Simon Ackerman/Getty Images)

“But I have adamantly decided I am not going to allow myself to be erased," she continued. "That’s why I’m on my menopause mission. I’m going to be louder than I have ever been."

As part of her menopause mission, Berry also wanted to tackle some of the more taboo topics surrounding ageing, which include erasing the stigmas of dry vaginas.

“Look, it happens to more than 60 percent of women as we get older. Everything gets dry! If we talk about it and laugh about it, there’s no more shame or embarrassment,” she said.

“I’m almost 60,” she continued. “Fighting for women’s health feels like a formidable cause for my second act.”

It’s not the first time Berry has been so frank about getting older; she previously opened up to PEOPLE about approaching her milestone birthday and experiencing menopause.

The actress is also fighting to break down the taboo surrounding menopause (Raymond Hall/GC Images)

Berry recalled being told: "'Being an actor, you don't want to start talking about menopause'."

"And I'm like, 'But my age is printed before my name every time I read. So it's not like I can hide it and why should I?' " she said. "But I got the same pushback. 'Be very careful: You're going to put yourself in a box.' "

"I've had a 30-year career being an actor, but what empowers me and what feels really good is I can take my second act," Berry continued.

"It's been the joy of my life in so many ways but taking the second act and really focusing it on women's health, I can't think of a better way to spend my next chapter of my life."