Donna Mills Responds to Criticism and Discusses Aging with Confidence

Donna Mills, famed for her role in ‘Knots Landing,’ recently sparked attention online with her bold response to a critic who commented on her makeup use. At 85, Mills shared a video addressing an Instagram user’s remark that she wore ‘too much makeup for your age.’ In the video, she humorously transformed from her usual glamorous self to a stereotypical elderly look, asking, ‘Did you want me to look like this?’ She laughed, saying, ‘Sorry, not sorry.’

The clip, in which she asserts, ‘I like the way I look. This is my style, and style doesn’t have an expiration date,’ went viral, amassing over 125,000 likes. It received praise from fans and celebrities like Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Nancy Sinatra. Later, Mills spoke about this viral moment on the Tamron Hall Show, highlighting that her video garnered over 1.8 million views.

Mills explained her decision to respond: ‘I don’t get those comments often, but when I do, I wonder, Who is this person? What do they think about women?’ She emphasized the broader issue, stating, ‘It’s not just about me. It’s about women in general and how they feel about themselves.’

Mills expressed surprise at the video’s success, grateful that her message resonated with many. ‘I was just grateful that people were hearing,’ she said. ‘I feel like I have something to say to women and want to help.’

The topic turned to societal norms during her appearance. When asked about the persistent comments women face regarding appearance as they age, Mills responded, ‘People have been hearing it for many years. But it’s a new age. We’re healthier, living longer. Hitting 70 or 80 isn’t the end.’

She linked self-image with happiness and confidence, remarking, ‘When you look good and know you look good, you feel good.’ However, Mills admitted to self-doubt, saying, ‘When I look in the mirror, I see everything wrong.’ Yet, she keeps her confidence, noting that she ‘fixes it’ to audience laughter.

In a recent Instagram post, Mills reflected, ‘If you told me at 85 I’d be going viral, I wouldn’t have believed you. I’ve spent a lifetime speaking up with a wink, not a jab, and I’m glad this moment found its audience.’

Mills, who rose to prominence as Abby Cunningham in ‘Knots Landing,’ will soon appear as Dr. Karen Carden in the thriller ‘Abused,’ set to release this summer.