Beauty is Difference

Beauty is difference. Inclusivity matters—everyone should feel represented. The beauty is in being different, not conforming to anyone’s expectations.

That started from my humble beginnings as a chubby kid, teased and tormented and not being accepted because the role model in 1974 was tall, thin, blonde, with blue eyes. I was not that, and there was little telling me that I fit in. 

And so the slippery slope began. I tried to fit in, conform, diet, and change myself.

As I was turning 50, I realized the same thing was happening. I was looking for a role model to help me visualize what the future would look like as a mature woman. There was nothing... there was Oprah, Jane Fonda, but it was far and few between. If I looked to the Housewives franchise, the obvious alternative was to plump and fill, and surgery to again change who I am. 

Nothing anywhere showed me a gorgeous woman as she is at 60 or 70 until I saw a Zoomer magazine with Maye Musk. My world changed. I saw myself. I was inspired and felt such relief. I embraced that image. I framed it.

I want to do the same thing for every 35-year-old to look forward to what’s ahead, not be fearful. In fact, I can’t wait to get there because what you gain in confidence wears so much better than the struggle to fit in.