News Releases
SUSAN SARANDON -- Page 112
On the verge of turning 60, the big screen icon has four movies coming out this year including: Romance and Cigarettes, a musical directed by John Turturro in which she plays James Gandolfini’s wife and Doris and Bernard, in which she stars as Doris Duke alongside Ralph Fiennes as her gay butler. She talks to More about:
On turning 60 this October:
“I get neurotic sometimes. You have to keep trying to develop from the inside out, because you know the outside is a losing battle. It makes more sense to switch your focus to what kind of person you’re becoming.” “…those frightened women who are all about preserving, who have that overly tucked look that is terror personified. There are the two ends of the spectrum…”
On being plastic surgery-free (so far):
“As my neck starts to go, I’d be tempted to do something, but I would never be tempted to touch my eyes, I’m just too afraid. The Botox thing–I have nothing against people doing it, but I need my face to move. I was watching a movie, and I couldn’t figure out what was so odd. Then I realized the poor actress was howling, but nothing was moving. It gives a very Kabuki-esque edge to the performance.”
On the possibility of her chest helping her land roles:
“You have to be careful not to be upstaged by your breasts. I’m at least a C, sometimes a D, depending on the bra. And I’ve gotten curvier as I’ve gotten older…Directors cast the men they want to be and the women they want to have.”
Why she and Tim Robbins remain happily unmarried:
“I still like waking up every morning and thinking ‘I choose to be with Tim.’”
On Hillary Clinton:
“I find Hillary Clinton to be a great disappointment. She seems to be a very bright woman; I’ve met her. But she’s lost her progressive following because of her caution and centrist approach. It bothers me when she voted for the war. There were brave people who didn’t. She’s not worse than other politicians, but I hoped she would be better. What America is looking for is authentic people who want to go into public service because they believe strongly in something, not people who are trying to get elected.”
On partner Tim Robbins’ involvement in a new bar with members of the New York Rangers:
“He’s more prone to partying when Sean Peen is in town; and with this bar, he’ll be up really, really late.
On being embezzled twice by financial advisers in the 1980s:
“My new manager called and said, ‘Well, the good news is that you’re not going to jail.’”
What she tells her kids about having famous parents:
“It must suck,’ I say to them, ‘but on a scale of one to 10, what are the perks? You’re in the locker room with the Rangers; that’s maybe an eight. People treat you like a poodle, stare at you and take pictures; that’s down six. So you’re up by two.’”
The secret to her long career:
“…in the youth cult that we’re in now, I’m proud that I’m considered somebody who still has some kind of sexuality.”
On their parenting styles:
“I’m the everyday nag, more about little things. Tim is more traditional than I am in a lot of ways. He’s more of a molder; he thinks you have to be tough.”
REINVENT YOUR EXPECTATIONS -- Page 104
What to do with the rest of your life? While there is no manual on pioneering life after 40, More provides some helpful dos and don’ts.
YOU DON’T HAVE TO (ALTHOUGH YOU MAY WANT TO) ––
Leave Your Job
• Many women approaching their fifties begin to lack professional drive.
• Do not worry. You could be content where you are.
• A hobby could be piquing your interest.
Leave Your Husband
• Couples become more compatible with age.
• Hormonal shifts such as declining testosterone in men and lower levels of estrogen in women make men more calm and women more assertive.
• Women’s ability to multitask declines making them more likely to focus on one thing at a time, like men.
• Women experience a renewed curiosity about themselves and others.
Leave the Country
• Travel is the most common passion to explore.
• Some people prefer to stay home and enjoy the comfort and intimacy of their new empty nests.
• Internal spiritual journeys are also common.
• Others may choose to rediscover their communities by running for office, for example.
Leave Your Senses
• Change can come in small doses.
• You could take scuba lessons and learn Chinese.
• Or you could take tango lessons and make a family tree.
• An undiscovered hobby could become a satisfying and lucrative business.
Leave Your Body
• You could lose 20 pounds and discover the enjoyment of being fit.
• You could grow out your gray hair or get plastic surgery.
• Or you could just laugh as you watch your body change.
YOU DO HAVE TO––
Let Go Of
• Old baggage.
• Instead of focusing on losing your youth, your looks and your waist, relax. Free yourself of what-if thoughts.
Say No
• Relish your “I don’t care what people think” attitude.
• Reject know-it-all friends, unnerving coworkers and demands on your time.
Say Yes
• To acting out. Give into your stubborn, feisty, problem-generating impulses.
Take a Risk
• Watercolor or ask your grown-kids to move out. This does not need to be life-threatening.
Be Patient with Yourself
• Realize the importance of the journey and give yourself time to appreciate it.
Plus- Three reasons to love tomorrow…
Hot Opportunity for Midlife Women Who Want Career Changes: Financial Planning
For the first time, people are outliving their assets. Personal money management is essential and women are especially attuned to help clients plan based on their lifestyles rather than focusing solely on numbers.
The Most Surprising Trend: Women Living Alone
The number of women living alone doubled between 1970 and 1998 and is continuing to rise. As a result, women are spending time with girlfriends and sometimes even buying property together.
Biggest Misconception About the Future: Helping Society
The media has focused on this generation’s strain on Social Security, but these women will benefit society by retiring later, starting their own businesses and volunteering.
FAST FINANCIAL FIXES -- Page 103
Ready to reinvent your finances? More asked female financial experts for essential tips they would give to women over 40.
Think of the big picture – Kathy Longo, financial planner, Accredited Investors Inc.
• Carry a notepad and write down what you spend on everything including a cup of coffee.
• Noticing your weaknesses will help you stop overspending.
Take advantage of electronic banking – Jean Chatzky, finance editor, the Today show
• Go online to find out when checks clear and make sure to review your balance often.
• Develop a close relationship with your money.
Create a “me” account – Barbara Steinmetz, president, Steinmetz Financial Planning
• Set aside money for yourself which can be used for savings or emergencies.
• Employers often allow you to have more than one direct deposit account.
Invest – Susan Steward, president, Charter Financial Group Inc.
• Develop a portfolio of stocks and bonds.
• Use deductive reasoning to eye potential money-making opportunities.
The April issue of More is available on newsstands March 21.
Contact:
Zoë Lampel
(212) 455-1077
Zoe.Lampel@meredith.com;
Holly Fussell
(212) 551-7053
Holly.Fussell@meredith.com