Donna Mills, the 85-year-old actress known for her role on Knots Landing, recently went viral after clapping back at an internet troll who accused her of wearing too much makeup for her age. The incident occurred on April 5, when the Daytime Emmy winner posted a video on Instagram in which she donned a traditional old lady costume and responded to the criticism.
Mills' Response
In the video, Mills asked, 'Did you want me to look like this?' before stating, 'Sorry not sorry. I like the way I look. This is my style, and style doesn't have an expiration date. Does it?' The video received over 124,000 likes and supportive comments from celebrities such as Viola Davis, Star Jones, Elizabeth Berkley, Jennifer Aydin, Laura Benanti, and Finola Hughes.
Impact on Women
Speaking on the Tamron Hall Show on Tuesday, Mills expressed gratitude for the viral moment. 'I was just grateful that people were hearing, because I really feel like I have something to say to women. It's not just about me. It's about women in general and the way women feel about themselves, right?' she said.
The Chicago-born grandmother continued: 'It's a new age now. It's a new time. We're living longer. We can be healthier. So, this isn't like the end. You don't hit 70 or 75 or 80 and it's over.'
Personal Reflections
Mills admitted that while she feels good when she looks good, she also sees flaws. 'When I look in the mirror, I see everything that's wrong,' she said. When host Tamron Hall challenged her on how she can advise women to see the positive, Mills laughed and replied, 'Well, I fix it,' hinting at cosmetic procedures.
For her appearance, Mills wore a wavy blonde wig over her natural white hair and a lavender pantsuit, with makeup by Brett Freedman and styling by René Horsch.
Family and Career
Mills became a grandmother when her adopted daughter Chloe Nicole Collings and husband Travis Collings welcomed their son Colter, now 18 months old.
She is set to star in the psychological thriller Abused, directed by Terrance Tykeem, which follows six survivors of abuse being re-traumatized by a madman. The film is expected this summer.
Mills is best known for playing the villainous Abby Cunningham on Knots Landing from 1980 to 1993 and in the 1997 miniseries Back to the Cul-de-Sac. She has also appeared in films such as Origin (2023), Nope (2022), Joy (2015), and Play Misty for Me (1971), as well as soap operas including General Hospital and Love is a Many Splendored Thing.
