Soap Star, 85, Defends Her Signature Glamorous Look

The 'Knots Landing' actress isn't apologizing for her bold makeup and style.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:05pm

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An abstract close-up photograph featuring dramatic textures of makeup, including shimmering gold eyeshadow, deep plum lipstick, and velvety black mascara. The high-contrast lighting and extreme macro focus create a sensual, high-fashion aesthetic that conceptually represents an older actress's confident personal style.An 85-year-old soap opera icon's unapologetic embrace of her signature glamorous style inspires a celebration of personal expression at any age.Beverly Hills Today

Donna Mills, the 85-year-old actress known for her role on the long-running soap opera 'Knots Landing', has hit back at critics who claim she wears 'too much makeup' for her age. In an Instagram video, Mills defiantly embraced her signature glamorous look, saying 'This is my style, and style doesn't have an expiration date.' Fans and fellow celebrities praised Mills for her confidence and inspiring message about aging gracefully.

Why it matters

Donna Mills' unapologetic response to criticism over her appearance highlights the ongoing debate around societal expectations and double standards for how older women should present themselves. Her refusal to conform to more 'natural' beauty norms for her age resonates with many who believe women should be free to express their personal style at any stage of life.

The details

In an Instagram video, Donna Mills addressed a fan comment criticizing her for wearing 'too much makeup for your age.' The actress, known for her role as Abby Ewing on the 1980s soap opera 'Knots Landing', defiantly showed off her signature look of dramatic eye makeup, bold lashes, and bright lipstick. She then transitioned to a more pared-down appearance, asking 'Did you want me to look like this?' before returning to her usual glamorous style and declaring, 'This is my style, and style doesn't have an expiration date, does it?'

  • On April 5, 2026, Donna Mills posted the Instagram video responding to the critical comment.

The players

Donna Mills

An 85-year-old actress best known for her role as Abby Ewing on the long-running soap opera 'Knots Landing'.

Viola Davis

An Oscar-winning actress who expressed support for Donna Mills' message in the comments.

Kyle Richards

A star of 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' who also voiced her approval of Donna Mills' video.

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What they’re saying

“wooooohoooo”

— Viola Davis, Oscar-winning Actress

“I love this so much”

— Kyle Richards, 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' Star

What’s next

Donna Mills has not indicated any specific future plans, but her defiant response to the makeup criticism suggests she will continue to embrace her signature glamorous style.

The takeaway

Donna Mills' unapologetic stance on her appearance is a powerful message about the freedom for women, especially older women, to express their personal style without judgment. Her confident refusal to conform to societal expectations for how she 'should' look at her age resonates with many who believe women should be able to age gracefully on their own terms.