While actresses like Demi Moore and Pamela Anderson have garnered acclaim for roles that challenge standard beauty ideals, research from the Geena Davis Institute shows that women over 40 are twice as likely as men to have storylines centered on physical aging (15% vs. 7%).
There is a massive disconnect between the economic influence of mature women and how the industry treats them. Older Adults Want Real Representation from Hollywood - AARP Norah is a MILF that gets seduced by a younger ...
In 2024, the entertainment industry finally reached gender equality in leading roles, though this was largely driven by younger women. However, for women 45 or older, leading roles remain limited—only 8 of the top films in 2024 featured a woman in this age bracket as a lead. While actresses like Demi Moore and Pamela Anderson
A "steep drop-off" persists for women after age 40. While 41% of major female characters are in their 30s, that number plummets to just 16% for women in their 40s. In contrast, more than half of major male characters on TV are older than 40. Economic Power vs. Industry Investment Older Adults Want Real Representation from Hollywood -