Isabella Rossellini Reflects on Beauty and Aging

The 73-year-old actress shares her character's philosophies on beauty and the changing cultural demands of appearance.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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In a new interview, actress Isabella Rossellini discusses her role in Ryan Murphy's body horror series 'The Beauty' and how it relates to her own views on beauty, aging, and the increasing societal pressures around appearance. Rossellini, who has never had plastic surgery, shares how her character's definition of beauty differs from conventional standards and how the director's choice to cast her was a commentary on these cultural shifts.

Why it matters

Rossellini's reflections on beauty and aging provide insight into how perceptions of beauty are evolving, particularly with the rise of social media. Her character's perspective challenges traditional notions of beauty and highlights the growing cultural demands around appearance, especially for women.

The details

To build her character, Rossellini says she and the director 'worked on the physical appearance, spending hours creating this absurd high fashion.' She questioned if the director chose her because she has 'something in common with this over-the-top character,' noting her fashion background but lack of plastic surgery. Rossellini's character 'loves beauty, but she defines it differently than others: not just youth, muscles, prowess. Rather, it's an art form, an expression of elegance.' Rossellini herself looks at beauty with 'a certain detachment, almost with gratitude rather than pride,' recalling her mother's advice that 'when they told her 'How beautiful you are, Mrs. Bergman,' Mom would reply 'How lucky you are.''

  • In a recent interview published on March 8, 2026

The players

Isabella Rossellini

A 73-year-old actress who stars in Ryan Murphy's body horror series 'The Beauty' and has never had plastic surgery, despite coming from a fashion background.

Ryan Murphy

The director who cast Rossellini in 'The Beauty,' which Rossellini believes was a commentary on the changing cultural demands around appearance.

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What they’re saying

“Did you choose me because I have something in common with this over-the-top character?”

— Isabella Rossellini (Vanity Fair)

“My character loves beauty, but she defines it differently than others: not just youth, muscles, prowess. Rather, it's an art form, an expression of elegance.”

— Isabella Rossellini (Vanity Fair)

“Until the 1970s, only actresses and models had to be beautiful. Today, social media has extended this pressure.”

— Isabella Rossellini (Vanity Fair)

The takeaway

Rossellini's reflections on her role in 'The Beauty' and her own views on beauty highlight the evolving cultural perceptions of appearance, especially for women, and how societal demands around physical appearance have expanded in the age of social media.