Halle Berry challenges cultural expectations through a forceful speech delivered at The New York Times DealBook Summit on December 3, 2025 in New York City, condemning both society’s treatment of women and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s decisions regarding women’s health legislation. Berry’s remarks underscored years of personal advocacy and frustration with a system that, in her view, repeatedly fails to value women, particularly those in midlife and beyond.
Berry Takes Aim at Ongoing Neglect of Women’s Issues
At the summit, Berry addressed an audience composed of business leaders, politicians, and influencers, highlighting her own journey as an actress, filmmaker, and founder of the menopause care company Respin. She criticized persistent cultural and institutional disregard for women, explaining that, upon entering the entertainment industry, she soon found herself fighting not only for on-screen roles but also for basic respect and representation in both Hollywood and the broader workforce.
Detailing her legislative efforts, Berry recounted years spent lobbying across the United States to advance menopause research and women’s health education, only to experience repeated setbacks—even in her home state. The source of her mounting frustration became clear as she recounted recent political encounters.
“At this stage in my life, I have zero [expletive] left to give,”
Halle Berry, actress, filmmaker, and advocate, told the assembled crowd.
Governor Newsom Faces Criticism Over Women’s Health Vetoes
Berry’s critique focused sharply on California Governor Gavin Newsom, whom she accused of ignoring the needs of millions by rejecting proposed menopause legislation not once, but twice, in consecutive years. This legislation would have increased support and resources for menopause research and driven further education on women’s health in the state. Berry, who has built both a public persona and private company around improving these conditions, did not hold back.
“Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row,”
Berry said.
“But that’s okay, because he’s not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying.”
Berry referenced the larger political landscape, citing public debates such as the Fox News governors’ debate, drawing connections between policy decisions and real impacts on half the population. Through this, she linked her personal advocacy to structural barriers facing women at every level of American government.
She explained her perspective was shaped by not only her career but also her roles as a founder, activist, and a woman entering a new phase of life.
“As a founder, I’m building for myself what I wish I had 10 years ago with the knowing that it’s going to help generations and generations to come,”
Halle Berry, actress and founder, said.
Persistent Ageism and Pressures on Women
Berry argued that age discrimination and unrealistic beauty standards continue to harm women’s professional and personal lives, even as national conversations around acceptance and health advance. She outlined how women are pushed to remain perpetually young, explaining that, even at age 59, she confronts the perception that women “past their prime” are rendered invisible in industries ranging from Hollywood to corporate America.
“Our culture thinks that at 59 years old, I am past my prime, and that women my age start to become invisible in Hollywood, in the workplace, on social media,”
Berry said.
“Women are pressured to stay forever 35.”
Berry challenged the notion that women are to be lauded only when they appear to defy aging or conform to idealized standards of beauty. She noted how society tends to reward women seen to be “aging backwards,” as if youth alone determines value.
“We’re complimented if we seem to be aging backwards or defying gravity, as if that’s even possible, and if we somehow manage to look younger than our years, it’s suggested that’s the gold standard that our worth should be measured by,”
she told the audience.
Enduring the Challenge of Staying Visible
Berry delved further into the pressure women experience to conform, stating that even she feels compelled daily to modify her appearance to avoid fading into obscurity. To illustrate her resolve, Berry recounted a pivotal episode from her childhood in Cleveland, Ohio: after a group of classmates humiliated and attacked her, she decided she would never again accept abuse or mistreatment without protest.
“But as I was walking home, I said, no. I’m never going to allow this to happen to me again,”
Berry recalled.
“I’m never not going to stand up for myself. I’ll never allow myself to be a victim like that, and since I was in the sixth grade, I have never allowed myself to be misused or abused or mistreated in any way.”
This early experience of resilience shaped Berry’s approach to adversity in adulthood, reinforcing her belief in women’s right to assert themselves regardless of others’ expectations or norms.
Public Debate over Motherhood and Expression
Berry’s determination to speak out has not been confined to policy or the entertainment industry. On Mother’s Day 2025, she faced fresh controversy after posting an Instagram video filmed in Cannes, France, featuring her longtime partner, Van Hunt. The clip, intended as a playful moment, depicted the couple in bed and highlighted Let’s Spin Intimacy Gel, a Respin product targeting women experiencing menopause. The video’s lighthearted tone and allusion to intimacy drew considerable backlash from online audiences, many of whom questioned its appropriateness for Mother’s Day.
On June 4, while serving as a guest host on Today with Jenna & Friends, Berry responded directly to her critics. She explained her right, as a mother and woman, to celebrate the holiday in whatever way she chose and to discuss romantic intimacy publicly without shame or restriction.
“It did because women, other women, got in their feelings and, ‘Was it right for her to be in her bed talking about spinning with her man?’ Yes!”
Berry said.
“And they were saying, ‘And should she be talking about that on Mother’s Day? Shouldn’t she be with her kids somewhere?’ First of all, it’s not ‘Kids’ Day.’ It’s called ‘Mother’s Day.’ ‘Kids’ Day’ is every day of the year,”
Berry explained.
The video itself was modest, showing no explicit imagery and focusing instead on humor and connection. However, debate continued to swirl, reflecting deep social discomfort with open discussions around sexuality—especially for women of Berry’s age and status.
Defending Her View on Intimacy and Family Life
Berry addressed further comments from viewers who said discussions of intimacy did not belong on a “family channel” like Instagram. She argued that honest conversations about relationships, love, and physical connection are integral to human experience and should not be hidden or stigmatized.
“We have sex. It’s the most natural thing we do,”
Berry asserted.
“That’s really a key component to longevity.”
She was adamant that there was nothing inappropriate about sharing a moment that, in her view, represented love, happiness, and well-being. Berry emphasized her firm stance against shame or embarrassment over topics of intimacy—especially given her efforts to empower other women coping with menopause and midlife changes. She described critics’ focus on the setting of the video as misplaced.
“You saw nothing. So we’re in bed. So what? We sleep in beds, people,”
Berry commented, a point that resonated with her co-host Jenna Bush Hager, who observed, “And you’re in love,” to which Berry agreed.
The matter touched on the larger question of how mothers are judged, with Berry arguing that every woman is entitled to define her own joys and boundaries on Mother’s Day and beyond.
Revelations About Marriage and Relationship Choices
Later that same day, Berry and Hunt appeared on Today for an online interview, where Hunt revealed that he had proposed marriage and the offer was still pending. Hunt said,
“So I put out the proposal, and it’s still on hold as you can see,”
evoking laughter from Berry.
Berry explained that, with three previous marriages on her side and one for Hunt, both agreed there was no rush to wed as a sign of commitment. She said their bond was already proven, and any step toward marriage in the future would occur only if both wished—never out of obligation. Nevertheless, Berry admitted that, of all her past partners, Hunt was uniquely suited to be her life companion.
Relationship Sustained by Friendship and Support
Having gone public with their relationship in September 2020, Berry and Hunt have often shared affectionate glimpses into their lives, signaling an unusual blend of friendship, respect, and genuine connection. Berry claimed that this closeness—welcomed by her inner circle—was what she had always envisioned for her personal life, marking a distinct contrast with her previous marriages.
Despite public debate, Berry stood by her actions and beliefs, maintaining that every mother deserves autonomy and the right to claim joy in her own way. As she stated,
“It’s my day, and if I want to be in bed and spin with my man, then that’s what I am going to do.”
Moving Beyond Expectations—A Continuing Challenge
Whether speaking at a high-profile summit or defending her choices in the media, Halle Berry’s core message remains consistent: women should be recognized and respected for who they are, not simply how closely they match external ideals. She continues to challenge political figures—including Governor Gavin Newsom—while also confronting the powerful stereotypes and cultural habits that silence and minimize women’s experiences.
As an artist, founder, and activist, Berry pushes back against both legislative setbacks and cultural limitations, tying her public statements to a lifelong commitment to resilience. Her advocacy and personal transparency signal a determination to claim space for herself and fellow women in Hollywood, politics, and society at large.
The debate sparked by Berry is likely to have lasting resonance among policymakers, advocates, and everyday Americans—as issues of gender, age, and representation remain at the forefront of societal change. As evidenced by her appearances and speeches, she shows no inclination to retreat, insisting instead that the spotlight and conversation remain fixed on the challenges and possibilities women face today.
