Former actress and model Rachel Ward is done apologizing for aging naturally — and she is not letting internet trolls shame her for going grey.
The 68-year-old, best known for starring in the TV miniseries The Thorn Birds, recently appeared makeup-free in an interview with ABC News to talk about the backlash she has faced online over her appearance. Ward argued that society still puts impossible pressure on women to stay forever young.
"I was a catalyst for a conversation that I think people had been challenged by," she said in a clip shared on Instagram, according to People. "Women weren't allowed to have a wrinkle, weren't allowed to go grey. Why do we feel we have got to pretend that we are still 40 when we are 68?"
Ward Points Out Irony of the Attention Her Grey Hair Receives Online
"The more wretched I looked, the more followers I have," she joked, adding, "How ironic that my going grey actually garnered me more attention than if I had taken my top off."
These days, Ward's life looks very different from her Hollywood years. According to Parade, she left acting behind and now focuses on regenerative farming in Australia. She runs an 840-acre cattle property in the Nambucca Valley in northern New South Wales and regularly shares updates about rural life on Instagram.
Ward says she is much more interested in talking about farming than beauty standards. Earlier this year, she addressed criticism over her appearance after posting a video promoting her farming initiative, FarmThru.
"Overwhelmed by the generosity that poured forth after a few fearful trolls went on the attack of my rather unkempt appearance before Christmas," she wrote on Instagram. "I am a farmer now but really should do my hair and apply some lippy before I go on social media. Apologies for frightening a few of you."
She then shifted the focus back to her actual goal — promoting locally produced food through FarmThru, which sells regenerative meat, eggs and other products in Australia's Northern Beaches area.
'Do Not Fear Aging'
The original FarmThru video sparked a wave of comments about Ward's grey hair and makeup-free look. But instead of backing down, she doubled down in another Instagram video, according to People.
"Dear those of you who responded to the brouhaha over the trolls criticizing my appearance, I have tried to do a little better today," she said sarcastically. "I ran my hands through my hair, etc., but anyways, just to say, do not fear aging."
Ward later told ABC News that some people seemed shocked to see what a former screen star looked like decades later.
"A few trolls were a bit shocked about my grey hair, who maybe had not seen me since I was 24, and then went, 'Oh my God, that is what you end up looking like,'" she said.
Still, the criticism was drowned out by support from fans and celebrities alike. In an interview with The Australian Women's Weekly, Ward said she was touched by the positive response.
Actor Alec Baldwin commented, "Still an exquisite beauty, and a great movie star," while actress Viola Davis added, "Beautiful … in every way."
Ward Says Neither Insults Nor Praise Define Her
"I think people are really talking amongst themselves. They are expressing something that is very personal to them," she explained. "I actually do not think I am part of this equation, particularly."
For Ward, the bigger issue is society's obsession with youth — especially for women.
"I think it is just people saying 'leave us alone to grow old without having to pretend that we are fricking 40,'" she said.
And, at this point in her life, she says she is completely detached from the pressure to stay youthful.
"Maybe if I was 40, I would mind the comments," Ward added, per Women's Weekly. "But now I have so left any kind of attachment to youth and beauty behind … It does not touch me because it is not important anymore."
