Why Winona Ryder Refuses Botox Despite Pressure from Directors

Winona Ryder has no intentions of getting Botox, despite suggestions from directors.

The 52-year-old actress discussed the unsolicited advice regarding Botox while speaking with Elle in a cover story published on Wednesday, July 23. Ryder revealed that female directors have encouraged her to consider the cosmetic injections, stating, “They’ll say, ‘Just relax your forehead. Relax,’” during her performances.

“I’m striving to be an excellent actor, and they keep saying that,” she remarked about her facial expressions. “It’s great that there’s a conversation about embracing aging, but the pressure remains significant. Almost every role I land is for a mother, you know? My career has certainly evolved.”

Previously, Ryder spoke about resisting plastic surgery in 2016, sharing with Net-a-Porter’s The Edit that she “loves” the process of aging.

“I attribute this to always being perceived as the kid on set,” she shared regarding her early start in the industry. “It’s fascinating because today, [cosmetic surgery] is almost viewed as a regular part of personal care. I’ve had individuals tell me, ‘Oh, you should get that …’ and gesture to my forehead. But I’m like, ‘No! I’ve been waiting for that to happen for so long!’”

She went on to say, “I recognize that actresses face challenges as they age—getting hired becomes a struggle.” Ryder explained how quickly the transition occurs from playing a ‘girlfriend’ to suddenly being cast as ‘the mother.’

“But I don’t perceive it as a negative,” she expressed. “It can be just as engaging, if not more so, than the leading lady or ingénue phase.”

Ryder has embraced several mother roles, including her portrayals as Joyce Byers in Stranger Things, Lydia Deetz in Beetlejuice, and Amanda Grayson in Star Trek.