interview
Anne Hathaway
“Aging is a privilege”
© Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Anne Hathaway talks to GALA about beauty ideals, female friendships and how she imagines her life at 80.
The atmosphere in front of the suite in the “Virgin Hotel” is hectic. The star is later than expected, the schedule is messed up. The waiting press representatives have traveled to New York from all over the world Interviewing Anne Hathaway. Since her Oscar win in 2013, the 40-year-old has been part of Hollywood’s A-list. Here, in her hometown of New York, she is not presenting a film, but rather a skin care campaign for the beauty brand Shiseido. In her suite there is no sign of the hustle and bustle outside the door. The actress, married to colleague Adam Shulman and mother of two children, welcomes us warmly, laughs a lot during the conversation – and, above all, quite loudly.
Anne Hathaway in an exclusive GALA interview
GALA: The motto of your beauty campaign is “Potential at every age”. What does the slogan mean to you?
Anne Hathaway: Age should not be an obstacle to growth processes – even if we women in particular are often confronted with different messages. That’s why I think the motto of the Shiseido campaign is so important. Instead of seeing aging as a limitation, we should see it as another word for life: a privilege!
How do you manage not to let these social norms unsettle you?
I try not to be terribly interested in it.
So you don’t care about them?
Of course sometimes I don’t succeed, I’m only human. But most of the time I’m too busy living my life and being happy about it to worry about false ideals of beauty. I am aware that I have had many opportunities that cannot be taken for granted. But my self-care routines also help me to deal with these norms in a more relaxed manner.
Anne Hathaway: “I want to lead an active life even when I’m 80”
In what way?
I am in a position where I am often criticized. When I know that I have taken the best possible care of myself, fed myself well and cared for myself, then I feel good and can leave my front door feeling strengthened. But another aspect is important to me: I want to lead an active life even when I’m 80. And I am convinced that the way I treat myself now will support the future Anne in this. Since I love her very much, I do my best.
That’s why Anne doesn’t tan in the sun
Have you always paid so much attention to taking care of your skin?
Always. Of course, as a teenager, I wasn’t very familiar with the ingredients in cosmetics. But there is a predisposition to skin cancer in my family. That’s why it was clear that I wasn’t allowed to tan in the sun – apart from the fact that it wouldn’t work for me anyway. It was clear that I had to take care of my skin. As an actress, I met the best make-up artists who showed me good care, such as those from Shiseido.
How important are friends for you to feel good?
Very important. I am particularly close with two colleagues. I just spoke to one of them on the phone just now. I needed support for a difficult decision. Now the day is so much better – thanks to her.