Academy Award winner Halle Berry stunned the audience at The New York Times’ DealBook Summit when she publicly criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom, breaking from Hollywood’s usual support for Democratic leaders. Berry expressed frustration over Newsom’s repeated vetoes of legislation aimed at helping women experiencing menopause. She emphasized that, despite her long advocacy work through her company Respin, the governor had blocked the effort two years in a row. Berry added that his actions showed a disregard for women in midlife and suggested he should not be considered for higher office. Her remarks drew gasps from the crowd and quickly spread online.
Berry used the moment to call for broader support for women’s midlife health, arguing that the issue requires involvement from both women and men. She explained that her company focuses on building the resources she wishes had existed a decade earlier, hoping to create long-term change. Berry pointed out that societal attitudes toward aging women remain outdated, with women in their late 50s often treated as “past their prime” in Hollywood, the workplace, and public life. She criticized the pressure on women to appear perpetually youthful.
When asked about Berry’s comments, Newsom said he had already connected with her team and believed the issue could be resolved. He claimed the proposal would be included in next year’s state budget, though skepticism remains among critics who doubt his commitment.