AARP Hearing Center
1. Use Your Powers for Good
Fame helps with dinner reservations — that’s the number one thing! But seriously, if you use it correctly — for example, to bring attention to people in need — it can benefit the world. As you grow, you understand that.
2. Prioritize What’s Precious
I had a job and career, but then I became a mom and that became my top priority. After Rizzoli & Isles ended in 2016, I told the girls I wouldn’t work on a show that took me away from them like that. And I haven’t.
3. Embrace Your Kin
I never really saw myself as a mom. But my girls are the coolest people I’ve ever met — hilarious, beautiful, all three of them. They are at the age — teenagers — where everyone else goes, “Ugh.” And I think to myself, Mine are kind of amazing.
4. Take Stock
I needed to do more than model, and acting was what I landed on. But I actually loved modeling. I look back now at those modeling days when I walked the Great Wall of China with Valentino and lived in Paris and in Milan — things I didn’t appreciate when they were happening — and think, Wow, I am so lucky. I have already lived an amazing life.
5. Find Your Thing
I’ve directed before and am happiest when I’m both directing and acting at the same time. Some people call it fluidity; some people call it nuts.
6. Stay Open
I had no idea I loved flowers so much. I have roses, hydrangeas, giant gardenias — and I love fine china. Apparently I’m a bit of an old lady.
7. Take a Breather
I had lived on airplanes almost my entire life, flying between my home in North Carolina and Hollywood. COVID forced me to stop, slow down, appreciate my home, spend time with my girls. Turns out I’m more of a homebody than I thought I was.
8. Age Wryly
The older I get, the harder it is to take weight off. I am learning to be thankful for what my body was before, and how easy it was to maintain. But I’m also just thankful big butts are so in fashion.
