Debbie Allen is 70 Years Old, and Completely Okay With It
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When I received an email asking if I'd like to interview the Debbie Allen, I immediately knew that a swift and enthusiastic, "Yes!" was the only answer. But I won't lie: I was nervous as hell.
Though I'm only 24 years old—turning 25 in a few short months—my entire life my mom made sure that I was privy to the legend that is Ms. Debbie Allen. Since the 1980s, as a dancer, choreographer, actress, director, producer, Emmy-winner, and so much more (what's a triple threat multiplied by infinity?) Allen has made countless contributions to the arts and pop culture. Without her we wouldn't have Fame (the movie and TV show), A Different World, the groundbreaking Debbie Allen Dance Academy, or my favorite childhood picture book Dancing in the Wings. Plus, since 2011, she's played Dr. Catherine Fox on the long-running hit ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy—of which she's directed multiple episodes. And one look at her Instagram account will tell you she's not slowing down anytime soon.
So you can see why just the thought of actually speaking to the 70-year-old was intimidating. But as soon as we began our scheduled phone call, Allen put me at ease. She was warm but matter-of-fact—jovial, with a hint sass. Each word she spoke held a level of wisdom that could only be attained after navigating more than 40 years in Hollywood.
OprahMag.com was one of the first to hear about Allen's new title as brand ambassador for the comfy shoe and sneaker brand, Easy Spirit, officially announced on March 1. She's kicking off the company's "Live Your Best Life Now" campaign, which aims to prove that age is "nothing but a number." When I asked exactly why she chose to partner with Easy Spirit her answer was simple: "I don't do anything that I don't believe in."
Below, you'll find the enlightening conversation I had with the mother, grandmother, and sister (to actress Phylicia Rashad, in case you didn't know), as we chatted about Easy Spirit, aging, working with A Different World's Jasmine Guy more than 30 years later on Grey's Anatomy, and if she ever envisions herself retiring.
You can probably guess the answer.
Why did you decide to work with Easy Spirit on this specific campaign?
I stand on my feet all the time. Directing, teaching at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, acting, taking care of my mom. So footwear for me is critical. I'm very aware that people need some kind of footwear that really addresses their needs and Easy Spirit is a very, very popular brand of shoe. They have such a lovely array of styles that you can take it and mix it up. And we need something that is friendly, supportive, and feels good.
The tagline of the Easy Spirit campaign is, "Live your best life now." What helps you live your best life?
Family. My mom is living with me now part-time, and I'm with her a lot. I have a grandchild, and I have hundreds of kids that I'm mentoring at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. It's really something when you're in a position when you can actually bring people along with you. And that's kind of what's happening. I'm moving forward all of the time, but I'm taking a lot of people with me.
Has your definition of how you "live your best life" changed since you first started your career?
The minute you have children it changes. The minute I gave birth, my priorities changed. It was no longer about me. It was about them.
Thinking about your daughter, granddaughter, your dancers, and co-workers at Grey's—is there one lesson that you'd like to pass on to the women in your life?
We have to look at the power of the feminine being. There is a lot that people don't quite understand, but kind of know. Women are the progenitors. We carry the seeds of the human race. We are strong. So getting back to reclaiming our position in the world—in the world of success and opportunity and power through leadership.
How do you begin to reclaim your power?
I think it starts with yourself. Looking at that mirror and knowing who is looking back. Start to reassure yourself of your beauty and your affection. Make sure that your are in-tune with your soul. So then you can't be thrown off if somebody says something negative, or something unkind, or you don't get an opportunity. You are sure about who you are. It's how I made it all these years.
At 70 years old, you obviously have so much energy. What's your advice to women your age who want their energy back?
One of the main things is to embrace yourself. Embrace your age. I wouldn't want to be 20 right now for anything in this world. I would not want to go back. In my mind there are things that I think I may be able to do that I might not be able to. But my mind is functioning, and so you must embrace yourself and your reality and celebrate that.
My little grand baby Shiloh, she's just the joy of my life. The minute I see her everything stops because she's my universe. And I'm just excited about her. She's my daughter's first child, and now I'm waiting for my son to deliver something. [Laughs.] So we must take joy in everyday because there is nothing promised.
Is there anything you do that’s helped you feel confident over the years that could serve as advice to others?
Something I wish I had more of was time for myself, because I don't. I think as women, if we carved out some time so that you can sit and watch the sun come up and watch it go down, enjoy your favorite cocktail a couple of times a week, talk to your friends that you love. Because it's so easy for time to go by.
What do you do when you find that downtime?
I like to read a book—books that are telling me about something. My mom and I have been reading a historical book called The Aztec and Maya. My sister sent me a book that I thought was really fascinating called The End of Alzheimers. And [before he passed], Kobe Bryant sent me a book that is incredible, Children of Blood and Bone.
I'm a Grey's Anatomy fan so I have to ask: How's it been working with Jasmine Guy again and being reunited with her?
It's so much fun. We laugh so much in the makeup and hair trailer. We laugh until we cry, reminiscing about this and that.
Do you think you’re ever going to retire? Cicely Tyson was asked this and said, "You just can't stop." What about you?
That word just doesn't even exist in my vocabulary because I don't think I'm ever not gonna be doing what I do. But I might take a little pause.
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