Jamie Lee Curtis Was Slammed for Posing Topless at 50 Her Spouse of 38 Years Makes Her Feel Safe

• Jamie Lee Curtis was once considered a sex symbol in her youth; today, she no longer looks that way but accepts herself and her body with grace.
• When she posted a topless photo of herself at 50 on social media, she was criticized for sexualizing older women.
• She and her husband have been married for 38 years; he has always supported her, and it is only because of him that she feels "safe" in this world.

At 64, Jamie Lee Curtis is a Hollywood icon who shines on and off the screen. With decades of experience in the entertainment industry, she has discovered the secret to a thriving career and a fulfilling love life while aging with grace.

Curtis was born in Los Angeles, California, on November 22, 1958, to her parents, the legendary celerity couple Tony Curtis and actress Janet Leigh.

Jamie Lee Curtis attends the opening night celebration of "Halloween Horror Nights" at Universal Studios CityWalk Cinemas on September 14, 2018, in Universal City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Following her parents' footsteps in the entertainment industry, Curtis embarked on an acting career, starting with her iconic role in the 1978 horror classic "Halloween" and its sequels.

Her versatile talent also shone in comedic and action films. Her most recent standout performance was in the 2022 hit film "Everything Everywhere All at Once" with actress Michelle Yeoh.

Alongside her illustrious career, Curtis enjoys a contented family life with her husband, Christopher Guest, a renowned director, actor, and writer. To this day, her spouse of 38 years makes her feel safe holding her hand.

Curtis's Reflection on Being a Sex Symbol

Curtis achieved success in not only horror and comedy movies but also in provocative films. While her youthful beauty made her a "sex symbol" in her prime, she reflected on that time with mixed feelings. She said:

"To me, unfortunately, the term 'sex symbol' connotes mindlessness."

According to Curtis, being physically and sensually present is the only way people respond to her. While she enjoyed the work, she does not identify as a "vamp girl."

Jamie Lee Curtis poses for a portrait in 1985 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Instead, she described herself as a "baby girl" and a "semi-geeky, awkward girl" in her personal life, often wearing comfortable clothes such as baggy shorts, T-shirts, and sneakers.

Curtis also prefers to go without makeup for a more natural appearance. She emphasized that she considers herself a girl and that she only dresses like a woman when she is at work.

Curtis made a splash in the 1985 film "Perfect," where she starred as an aerobics instructor who became iconic due to her gyrating movements and famous pink leotards.

Jamie Lee Curtis attends a celebrity ball in Atlantic City in November 18, 1978. | Source: Getty Images

Despite the sexual appeal it elicited from moviegoers even without nudity, Curtis stated it was a deliberate choice. She said it was a "conscious decision" not to do naked scenes, even though none requested her to do it.

She admitted that she did not find the concept of nudity fun and felt uncomfortable as a married woman. In addition, she emphasized that she never intended for her body to be exploited in the film.

Curtis said she made the film to break away from portraying "dark" characters in horror, murder, and chaotic genres and exhibit her bright and cheerful side as an actress.

Jamie Lee Curtis at the Broadway Theater in New York City in 1981 | Source: Getty Images

Curtis chose to work only on good films and collaborate with renowned directors. She revealed she had almost made a list of people she wanted to work with, such as Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, James Bridges, John Schlesinger, and Stanley Kubrick.

Although she did not want any nude scenes, she gained public attention for her role in the 1983 film "Trading Places," where she had a seven-second intimate scene. She remembered how the audience reacted strongly to that part of the movie.

She later clarified that her decision to participate in the film was not driven by a desire to flaunt her body; she only followed the script. If she intended to take advantage of her body in any way, she could have done so when she was 18 or younger.

Jamie Lee Curtis attends the "True Lies" premiere at the Mann Village Theatre on July 12, 1994, in Westwood, California. | Source: Getty Images

Meanwhile, the film's director, John Landis disclosed that the studio first hesitated to cast Curtis due to her association with horror films.

Even so, he praised Curtis's versatility, saying that she had the rare ability to show both sexuality and intelligence in a way that reminded him of actresses Katherine Hepburn and Rosalind Russell.

Jamie Lee Curtis poses for a portrait in December 1978 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Despite having several films under her belt Curtis remains deeply committed to advancing in the industry, refusing to limit herself. She stated:

"I don't want people to constantly put these labels on me. I am trying very hard to satisfy whatever that image is that people have of me and still do good work."

Embracing Natural Beauty and a Healthy Lifestyle

Now in her 60s, Curtis is happy with her newfound freedom from societal expectations and is basking in a blissful atmosphere. She shared a few strategies to avoid overthinking one's appearance.

In 2022, Curtis spoke at the Radically Reframing Aging Summit about how she deals with living in a world that emphasizes becoming youthful despite aging.

In the event, Curtis disclosed to hosts Vanessa Williams and Maria Shriver that after she gets out of the shower, she does not automatically examine her appearance in the mirror.

If she looked at her reflection in the mirror, Curtis said it would make her feel critical about how she looked. "Whereas, if I just don't look, I'm not so worried about it," she added. She also revealed she would only look when she brushes her teeth or plucks her eyebrows.

The renowned actress, known for embracing the concept of natural beauty, believes there is a "genocide of natural beauty" that is primarily driven by the media and heavily promoted by various magazines.

Jamie Lee Curtis visits at SiriusXM Hollywood Studio on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

She cites as an example features in social media apps that allow people to filter their images like Zoom which has a "touch up my appearance" setting.

Curtis said that while she does not judge people who enhance their appearances with online filters or plastic surgery, she believes it is important to speak out.

Jamie Lee Curtis attends the 78th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton and broadcast on February 28, 2021, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

She explained that trends for enhancing one's beauty, such as fillers, procedures, and the fixation with filtering and adjusting one's appearance on social media, were "wiping out generations of beauty."

Curtis is no stranger to enhancing her appearance, having had past plastic surgery that made her feel bad about herself. She attributed this beauty-seeking behavior to societal pressures. She believed that once one messed up his/her face, there's no going back to how they used to look.

Jamie Lee Curtis speaks onstage during the 30th Annual GLAAD Media Awards Los Angeles at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on March 28, 2019, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

Curtis loves to celebrate her true beauty. On Instagram, she posted a photo of one of her covers taken when she was 50 and remembered how she was criticized for her candid appearance. Her caption read:

"A fun #fbf when I was the @aarp Cover Girl and people lost their MINDS that I was TOPLESS!"

She posed naked from the chest up in a swimming pool, sporting her gray and black pixie haircut and wrinkles. The cover was for the June 2008 issue of AARP magazine, a magazine known for focusing on age-related issues.

Although Curtis claimed she was slammed for posing topless then, she mentioned that her photo was the "perfect statement" about how strange it is for people to be concerned about older people exuding their kind of sexuality.

The photo amassed over 23,000 likes as of this writing. Several of Curtis' Instagram followers, including supermodel Paulina Porizkova, praised her gorgeous look.

Curtis has no regrets about aging on her own terms. In fact, she welcomes aging because she believes wisdom comes with age.

Besides that, she admits she is happier now than when she was 20 because she is not only stronger but also more intelligent and "less crazy" than she was when she was younger.

She recalled a pivotal point when a tabloid published a photo of herself and listed her weight as 161 pounds. She admitted to being in denial about her weight, but the number was accurate when she weighed herself at home.

Determined to change and be active, Curtis began a healthy lifestyle that included adopting good eating habits, playing tennis three times a week, and practicing yoga.

She eventually lost 20 pounds over a year after starting her fitness routine. Her sleeping patterns improved, and she can now wake up at 5 in the morning feeling energized.

She has also allowed her gray hair to grow out. She has given her jewelry away because she does not wear it very often. She also reduced her wardrobe by wearing only black or white outfits paired with jeans.

Jamie Lee Curtis seen walking on the street on May 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images

Adopting a healthy lifestyle not only resulted in physical changes for Curtis, but it also improved her relationships with her family. She acknowledged her inconsistency as a parent in the past and working too much, like her late mother.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, it also allowed her to strike a better work-life balance, becoming more productive and creative. A "great mental migration" in her 50s helped her tackle life's challenges.

Additionally, Curtis also reminds herself to be compassionate. She even displayed a poster reading "Note to Self: Be Kind, Be Kind, Be Kind" in her kitchen as a gentle reminder.

Curtis was honored with the Career Achievement Award, the highest entertainment award presented by AARP, at the 21st annual Movies for Grownups Awards. She expressed her excitement, saying:

"I feel more alive today than ever, even with COVID."

Curtis has received many accolades throughout her career, including two Golden Globe wins. Her recent Academy Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actress in "Everything Everywhere All at Once" was her first Oscar nomination, and her first Oscar award.

As Curtis looks back on her years in the industry, she realizes how time had subtly shaped her career without her having grand expectations. Knowing there is no time to waste, she cherishes the beauty of aging, adding:

"The things that are unimportant slip away. That is the essence of the truth that sets you free to manifest your destiny."

A Love Story with Her "One and Only"

Curtis was a sex symbol in her youth, and while she no longer carries that status, her husband of 38 years is still her greatest source of comfort, holding her hand.

She and Guest have been happily married for over three decades. For years, she says she felt "safe" with him and he continues to hold her hand to this day.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Christopher Guest attend the "Perfect" premiere at Coronet Theater in New York City, New York. | Source: Getty Images

The recollection of the events that brought Curtis and Guest together still amazes her. It all started when she laid her eyes on his picture in a magazine and declared to a friend with excitement, "I'm going to be his wife."

True to her spontaneous prediction, just four months later, Curtis and Guest exchanged vows in 1984. Life took a sudden turn for the better for Curtis, who is now a happy mom of two children, Annie and Ruby.

Christopher Guest and his wife Jamie Lee Curtis attend the "For Your Consideration" premiere at the Director's Guild of America in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

The love between the couple is enduring. During a 2021 interview with AARP, Curtis referred to her husband as her "one and only," revealing her deep and serious romantic nature.

Curtis holds a practical perspective towards marriage and values the stability it brings over extravagant demonstrations of love during their important milestones as a couple.

Jamie Lee Curtis and her husband Christopher Guest arrive at the premiere of "Flipped" on July 26, 2010 in Hollywood, California. | Source: Getty Images

On their 35th wedding anniversary, Curtis wrote Guest a song, and the chorus has a relatable message for many long-term couples: "I feel safe when I drive up and see that you are home." She explained the meaning behind the lyrics:

"That's the long marriage. It's the safety of knowing his car is in the garage, that I'm not alone, and that he's here."

During their 36th wedding anniversary, Curtis posted a black-and-white photo of them holding hands and smiling on her Instagram page. She included a sweet message to her spouse, praising their enduring relationship.

She expressed her admiration for Guest, saying she has consistently sought comfort and connection with him. She added, "My hand in his, then and now."

She mentioned their children, family, and friends as the links that have sustained their relationship through both happy and challenging times.

Curtis' legacy in Hollywood is forever cemented as her performances continue to captivate audiences. Despite her many honors, she remains grounded and an inspiration to women everywhere.

She is a timeless beauty icon and a true role model who has demonstrated that beauty and success coexist with grace, confidence, and healthy self-acceptance.

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