Sutton Foster on Looking Like a 26-Year-Old at 41
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(Photo: Getty Images)
Sutton Foster's beauty secrets have nothing to do with anti-aging face masks or powerful eye serums. The two-time Tony Award winner swears by something a little more unexpected: an optimistic outlook on life. "Because how you look at the world can age you," says the 41-year-old actress who plays Liza Miller, a 40-year-old posing as 26, in the hit television series Younger.
Liza, a New Jersey housewife desperate for a fresh start after her husband cheats on her, gambling away their savings, moves to Brooklyn to look for a job in publishing (the industry she thrived in before having children). The only problem: no one will hire her. So in a moment of panic, she decides to lie about her age, pretending to be 26.
Now, with Younger in its third season, Liza is 40 going on 27. BAZAAR.com caught up with Foster to discuss all things youth and age-related: dating, beauty tips, and hard-learned wisdom.
Harper's BAZAAR: What is it like to play someone pretending to be a 26-year-old?
Sutton Foster: It's fun! I don't think it necessarily makes me want to go back to my 20s, but what I love about playing any type of character is the escapism. I get to relive this part of my life in the safe confines of a television program. Hillary [Duff] will be like, "Would you wear that in real life?" and every single time I am like, "Nope!" But with Liza, it is so much fun to dress up and wear these crazy outfits and cool things. I'm a T-shirts, sweatpants and jeans kind of gal, I dress really simply and comfortably. But one of the things I love about being an actor is that I get to wear amazing costumes. Coming from the theatre I have played some fabulous characters where I get to wear gowns and I get to be a princess or someone from the 1920s, or I get to wear showgirl costumes. I'm used to wearing a wardrobe that changes how I feel. It's a bit of an outside-in approach-so often the clothing can reveal so much about a character. It's like part of her superhero costume that she gets to put on and become someone else.
"I'm probably in better shape now than I was when I was in my 20s."
HB: What is the biggest difference between you at 26 and you now, at 41?
SF: What I thought 41 would be at 26 is definitely not what I feel now. I still feel incredibly youthful on the inside, in my brain. And even on the outside, I'm probably in better shape now than I was when I was in my 20s. I value my health differently. I am much more settled in who I am. I think a lot of your 20s is trying to figure out who you are-you're on your own, you've got you first job, you've got your first apartment, you're living away from your parents, you're just discovering who you are. I have deep, long friendships now and real relationships and I am so excited about the rest of my 40s. I feel like my life now, it's only getting better, which feels nice.
HB: Is there anything you wish you could tell your younger self?
SF: I would have told her to listen more. And that it's okay not to know everything; that would have calmed me down. I made things a lot harder than they needed to be out of fear and anxiety. I think if I had just slowed down a little bit it could have a little easier. I multiplied how difficult it needed to be instead of just saying, fair enough. You don't have to make it hard.
HB: To convince viewers that you're 26, you either have to have some great genes or a great beauty routine. Can you share some of your beauty secrets?
SF: (Laughs) I try to have a very optimistic outlook on life, I try not to take anything too seriously, I try to and I do find a ton of joy and happiness in my life and I think that helps you stay youthful. I also don't wear a lot of makeup in real life and I try to take care of my skin. I clean it, I moisturize it, but mainly I just try to drink a ton of water. I try to exercise, I try to think of it less as vanity and more like, how do I stay healthy from the inside out? Because how you look at the world can age you. So I try to make my insides happy and healthy and I think that reflects on the outside.
"I find a ton of joy and happiness in my life and I think that helps you stay youthful."
HB: Liza lies about her age because she can't find a job. Have you suffered from ageism yourself? Have you ever felt like you had to lie about your age to get ahead?
SF: I've never lied about my age. I actually feel very proud of my age. I've never had to deal with ageism-so far-in my career; I have been able to navigate my career and getting older and the roles and opportunities that have come to me. But when I look at my longterm goals for the rest of my life, there are so many things other than performing that make me happy. I love to teach, I love to draw, I love animals. So I don't feel like I am relying on one thing to lead me in my career. Although I feel excited about getting older as an actress, too. I think there are some amazing opportunities around the corner and I don't need to hold on to myself or who I was when I was 25. I'm actually excited about being in my 40s. I mean, that's ironic considering the show I'm on, but I have never felt like I need to feel or look the same as when I was 20. I am okay that has changed and I have some more wrinkles and my body is changing.
HB: The show portrays the idea that age is just a number, which is great. But then you have Charles going after Liza, his 26-year-old assistant. Do you think if he knew Liza was actually 40, he would be so keen?
SF: I don't know, think for that relationship in particular age doesn't really come into play. Even though the show is all about age, it kind of obliterates it and all of the characters are on equal footing. I think if and when he finds out about Liza's age, it will be more about the lie and less about the number. I think it might actually make him more attracted to her.
HB: And what are your thoughts on dating younger men?
SF: As long as they're not still living with their parents, it could be viable (laughs). A lot of it has to do with their emotional maturity. I have met a lot of guys in their 40s who have the maturity of a 15–year-old and men in their 20s who have older sensibilities. They just need to live in their own apartment. That's kind of a deal breaker.
'Younger' airs Wednesdays 10pm EST on TV Land.
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