Jordin Sparks, winner of American Idol, has sparked controversy after openly asking Halle Berry to read a screenplay she wrote about hormones and menopause. Sparks made the request in a public post on X on Wednesday, directly tagging Berry and hoping she would consider the script.
The focus on Halle Berry is understandable, as the Oscar-winning actress is a well-known advocate for menopause awareness. Berry founded the menopause care company Respin and has shared her personal health experiences in interviews, including a candid discussion on The Drew Barrymore Show.
Mixed Reactions from the Online Community
Sparks’ open appeal quickly drew criticism from many on social media, with numerous users condemning her for making the request publicly rather than through private or professional channels. Comments ranged from dismissive to skeptical about her approach.
“Baby go back to learning how to breathe with no air,”
one user wrote.
“This is real? There are other ways for you reach out to Halle Berry. Pathetic way to try and get to a celebrity when you’re a supposed celebrity.”
“You don’t have an agent/manager that can make the connection?”
Despite the strong pushback, others defended Sparks’ choice, emphasizing Berry’s advocacy work and relevance to the screenplay topic. Supporters encouraged her to continue pursuing the project, acknowledging Berry as a fitting person to address such themes.
“People, Halle is literally a menopause advocate,”
a supporter noted.
“She’s very outspoken about it. Which is why Jordan is reaching out.”
“This is a great initiative,”
another commented,
seeing as she’s [Berry] been vocal about these issues. I hope she sees this.”
“Pitch that thing. Wishing you the best Jordan!”
Halle Berry’s Public Discussion on Menopause Adds Context
Halle Berry recently opened up about her own challenging experiences with perimenopause during a televised appearance in September. She described her struggles with the condition and the lack of available information at the time.
“I was 54, and felt like I got dropped into hell,”
Berry said.
“Nobody ever talked to me about [perimenopause]. I was scared. I was alone. I had no one to talk to. I didn’t know what to do. I thought I was losing my mind.”
“And I thought, ‘Oh, this is what’s happening. I’m getting old now. Now I just go off into oblivion and nobody’s gonna care anymore.’ That’s what I felt. And I was very depressed. Very depressed. And cried all the time — I was a mess.”
The Importance of Raising Awareness Around Menopause
Sparks’ screenplay about hormones and menopause highlights a topic that remains underrepresented in mainstream media, making Berry’s involvement particularly significant. Given Berry’s openness and efforts to normalize conversation about menopause through her foundation and interviews, her engagement could bring much-needed visibility to the subject.
Whether Berry will respond remains uncertain, but the public debate around Sparks’ approach underscores the challenges faced by creatives aiming to connect with influential advocates in a highly visible way. The incident reveals tensions between public outreach and privacy, especially in the context of sensitive health topics like those tackled in the Halle Berry menopause screenplay.
Hiiii @halleberry! I sent you a dm because I wrote a screenplay about hormones and menopause and know you’d be the right person to talk to about it! Hope you’re having a great day! 🤍
— Jordin Sparks (@JordinSparks) January 28, 2026
