Melissa Gilbert: Hollywood’s mentality is ‘not allowing women to age or gain weight’
February 12, 2018
I used to think First for Women and Women’s World were competing weekly magazines, but they’re put out by the same company, Bauer Media. Both are apparently bestsellers, which is surprising. Melissa Gilbert, 53, has a new cover interview with First for Women in which she reveals that she had to have her breast implants removed. She also talks candidly about the fact that she’s had basically the works – “nose job, boob job, fillers and Botox” but says that she’s now “trying to embrace aging.” I guess that’s relative in her circle. She’s been married to Timothy Busfield since 2013. She gushes about him in this interview and calls him a true partner. I’ve heard some really troubling things about him, but maybe he’s changed. Regardless I like how candid Melissa is in this interview.
Actress Melissa Gilbert… credits time away from the spotlight with her husband of four years, Timothy Busfield, with helping her find the confidence to try new career opportunities, like off-Broadway plays. “I finally feel as if I have a true partnership in life — someone who believes in me and encourages me to stretch myself in so many different ways,” says Melissa. “My life is insanely full.”
“There’s this mentality in Hollywood of not allowing women to age or gain weight or to simply be themselves,” Melissa tells FIRST for Women of the pressure to look a certain way.
“I went down the road that everyone else does—nose job, boob job, fillers and Botox, but no more! I had my breast implants removed and I’m no longer doing fillers or Botox because I’m a 53-year-old woman and I’m trying to embrace this process of aging.”
That shift has helped Melissa finally silence her inner critic. “I’m grateful to my body for holding up through some major health issues and serious surgeries,” she says.
“Right now I’m physically pain-free and relatively healthy and strong. I have the joy of being able to work on these incredible projects and live a life of fun and freedom with a man I adore and who cherishes and adores me back,” she explains to FIRST. “By and large, the body image thing doesn’t come into play anymore.”
“I went down the road that everyone else does.” Not everyone! Those of us in the rural areas notice when people have botox or fillers (unless it’s exceptionally well done) because it’s rare. All of Gilbert’s coworkers and friends probably do it, and it must seems normal and expected to her. Good for her for admitting it and deciding not to do it anymore. It’s got to be particularly hard to get your breast implants removed. Melissa wrote at the time she had them removed, in December 2014, that she hated the way they looked and felt. “Frankly, I’d like to be able to take a Zumba class without the fear that I’ll end up with two black eyes.”
Photos credit: WENN, Getty and Instagram/Melissa Gilbert