Demi Moore at Cannes Film Festival

Actress Demi Moore, 63, graced the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday.

She wore a strapless sequin gown by Jacquemus, which accentuated her slender figure—or as the New York Post puts it, her “toned arms.”

However, her recent weight loss has raised eyebrows and sparked some concern online. Moore has battled an eating disorder in her youth, a struggle that many actresses face. There’s also rampant speculation regarding her cosmetic procedures; a look at her face suggests some enhancements.

It seems like Moore is pursuing the ideal of being “hot” well into her 60s, which feels a bit surreal. And she’s not alone in this venture—celebrities like Madonna, 67, Kris Jenner, 70, and Vera Wang, 76, are also part of this trend. It’s worth noting that even male stars, such as Simon Cowell, 66, aren’t exempt from the pressure to maintain a youthful appearance.

In her writing, Helen Roy defines three stages of womanhood: maiden, mother, and matriarch. She describes how each phase dictates certain virtues, transitioning from virginity to creativity and then wisdom.

Yet, Hollywood doesn’t seem to have a place for the mother or matriarch. Many actresses may have children—and some even grandchildren—but they often continue to chase the validation linked to the maiden phase, primarily the allure of being seen as attractive and desirable by men.

There’s something somewhat melancholic about this quest for attention well after one’s reproductive years. It feels rather empty, driven only by superficial praise.

While authentic anti-aging solutions are a separate issue, what persists are the messages that celebrities like Moore project through their youthful appearances, which might mislead the public about the realities of aging and fertility.