Geena Davis Commands Attention at Fashion Trust U.S Awards in Los Angeles
Despite launching her film career over four decades ago, Geena Davis appeared as youthful as ever while attending the Fashion Trust U.S Awards in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The annual event celebrates promising young designers across the United States, and Davis made a striking impression on the red carpet outside Hollywood's Nya Studios.
The actress, who celebrated her 70th birthday in January, wore a sweeping teal evening gown paired with elegant black stiletto heels. Her presence highlighted a remarkable career that began with a small role alongside Dustin Hoffman in the 1982 classic Tootsie.
A Storied Career and Iconic Roles
Davis rose to prominence throughout the 1980s with memorable performances in films like The Fly, Beetlejuice, and The Accidental Tourist—the latter earning her an Academy Award. Her status as a household name solidified in 1991 when she starred opposite Susan Sarandon in Thelma & Louise, sharing a now-famous kiss with Brad Pitt.
Her success continued with 1992's A League of Their Own, where she appeared alongside Tom Hanks and Madonna in a groundbreaking role that further cemented her place in Hollywood history.
Embracing Authenticity and Self-Acceptance
In a reflective moment last year, Davis revealed that it wasn't until adulthood that she learned to embrace herself "unapologetically." Standing at an impressive six feet tall, the actress admitted her height caused discomfort during her youth, even wishing she were shorter before ultimately accepting her stature.
She told People magazine: "I've always been tall – I was a tall baby. As a kid, my fondest wish was to take up less space in the world. It was only as an adult I realized I could be all of who I was, unapologetically."
This personal journey inspired her to write The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page, a book aimed at reassuring young people that they can stay true to themselves regardless of size or aspirations. Davis explained: "So I wrote this book for all of the 'too big' children — including children with big personalities and big dreams — who need reassurance that they can be their true selves and make their own space in the world."
Late-Life ADD Diagnosis and Personal Revelations
In 2022, Davis disclosed that she carried a "huge burden of shame" before being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. She discovered the condition during therapy sessions, with her therapist identifying it by their second meeting.
Davis shared on Loose Women: "I carried a huge burden of shame most of my life, I thought there was something wrong with me because I couldn't finish or start a lot of things. I found it very shameful. But when I found out there's a reason and I'm not a bad person it was very interesting."
The actress, who has daughter Alizeh and twin sons Kian and Kaiis with former partner Reza Jarrahy, expressed gratitude for having children in her 40s: "I'm really grateful that I had children in my 40s because I knew I'd be more involved. I didn't have a lot of self-esteem but I was really determined that my children would have self-esteem."
Susan Sarandon's Transformative Influence
Davis also credited co-star Susan Sarandon with transforming her approach to life. She recalled to Good Morning Britain how Sarandon's authenticity changed her perspective: "It totally changed my life, because somehow in my sheltered life, I had never spent time with a woman who says what she thinks without qualifiers in front of it. I was used to living as somebody who says, 'I don't know if you agree with this or if this is a good idea' – I was busy dying of politeness."
She continued: "As soon as I met Susan – Oh my God – this was a whole different world. And it wasn't that anyone reacted differently to her. Everyone loved her and everything. I was like, 'Wow, you can actually be like that'. She showed me what it's like to live authentically and be in the moment."
From her early film roles to her recent public appearances and personal revelations, Geena Davis continues to inspire through both her professional achievements and her journey toward self-acceptance and authenticity.
