Sarah Jessica Parker once decided to embrace her natural gray hair, but her admirers were quick to voice their opinions, often in the form of harsh criticism regarding her new look. Despite this, Parker held firm in her belief that individuals should have the freedom to do whatever makes them feel comfortable in their own skin.
Her decision to let her natural hair color shine came during the filming of the “Sex and the City” revival, titled “And Just Like That.” In July 2021, at the age of 56, Parker was seen enjoying a break from filming at Anton’s, a New York City restaurant, accompanied by her friend Andy Cohen. Dressed casually in a sleeveless blue top and chain necklace, she showcased her gray hair, styled in a simple braid.
While Parker seemed to be content with her natural appearance, not everyone shared her sentiment. Many people chose to criticize her instead of supporting her decision. On one occasion, a Daily Mail reader commented that her gray hair did not present a “good look” for the actress and suggested that only a select few could pull off gray hair without looking “old.” Similarly, an Instagram user chimed in, remarking that Parker’s gray hair made her look significantly older than her age.
Some of the comments were downright cruel. One reader of the Daily Mail, upon discovering that Parker was only 56 at the time, expressed shock, stating they thought she was closer to 86 years old and even questioned if she was suffering from an illness. Despite her actual age, critics continued to argue that Parker appeared much older than she was, with some suggesting she had not aged gracefully.
However, not all the reactions were negative. Some fans admired Parker for embracing the natural aging process. One supporter remarked that although she looked older, she didn’t resemble someone in their seventies. Another commenter applauded her for aging gracefully without relying on cosmetic procedures, believing that Parker did not need enhancements to look beautiful.
Even though Parker faced relentless criticism, she continued to proudly display her gray hair for some time. Eventually, though, it seemed she gave in to the pressures of societal beauty standards. More recently, she was seen with her hair dyed, returning to a look more reminiscent of her younger years.
The transformation drew attention once again when Parker attended the ATG Summer Party at Kensington Palace in London on September 13, 2023. Now 58, she stunned in a green gown with cape-like chiffon sleeves and a daring thigh-high slit. Her hair, now cascading over her face, was complemented by metallic heels and a plunging neckline. She attended the event with her longtime husband, actor Matthew Broderick, who is 61 years old.
Despite the glamour of the event and her overall appearance, some social media users focused on her hair. A fan commented that she looked much better after “getting rid of grandma’s gray hair,” praising her more refreshed appearance. Another observer noted that Parker seemed to have “eliminated the gray along her hairline,” and complimented the color of her outfit, which they deemed “fabulous.”
While some applauded the improvement in Parker’s appearance, others still remarked that she looked “quite aged.” In a June 2023 interview with “The Howard Stern Show,” Parker addressed the public’s obsession with aging and the pressure to undergo cosmetic surgery in Hollywood. She clarified that she did not view herself as unattractive or unpresentable and emphasized that she had no negative feelings about her appearance.
Parker also acknowledged the societal pressures that often push women toward cosmetic procedures and stressed that women should feel empowered to make their own choices about their looks. Sitting beside her friend Andy Cohen, who also had gray hair, Parker pointed out the double standard in how women are more often scrutinized for their appearance than men. She ultimately believed in giving everyone the freedom to decide what makes them feel confident, while maintaining that she held no definitive stance on the matter.
