“This is truly our age of possibility.”
When Kelly Taylor rejected both Dylan and Brendan in Beverly Hills, 90210 decades ago, she did so with three words that would become iconic. While “I choose me” immediately became a romantic mantra for young women watching all over the country, it’s recently taken on new meaning for the actress behind it as she’s navigated a transformative stage of life. In this candid chat with Katie Couric Media, Jennie Garth reflects on how that unforgettable 90210 moment shaped her approach to self-care during menopause. From unexpected hot flashes to brain fog, she’s tackling it all with the same confidence that made her a TV legend, even as Hollywood still struggles to redefine beauty standards for women over 50. Garth, who’s part of QVC’s Quintessential 50 (Q50) and the brand’s Age of Possibility platform, celebrating trailblazing women over 50, opens up about reclaiming her power, embracing the changes, and unapologetically choosing herself — because, as she puts it, menopause isn’t the end of the road — it’s just the next chapter.
Katie Couric Media: Menopause is a significant life transition. How did you first recognize the symptoms, and what was your initial reaction to the changes you were experiencing?
Jennie Garth: I found myself losing sleep. There were lots of sleepless nights. Getting the right amount of sleep has always been important to me, so this was really hard. And then there were the hot flashes — out of nowhere, I’d suddenly break into a sweat, whether I was recording a podcast or live on QVC. Talk about timing…so much fun! At first, I was more curious than concerned. It wasn’t dramatic or scary, just a clear signal that my body was entering a new phase. I talked to my doctor, did some research, and realized this was just another transition I needed to manage — just like any other part of my ever-evolving life.
As someone in the public eye, did you feel pressure to keep your menopause journey private, or did you feel empowered to share it with your fans?
Menopause isn’t some dirty little secret. By the time you’re my age, you realize being authentic is far more powerful than trying to look perfect. If talking about my experience helps one woman feel less alone, I’m all in.
Menopause is different for everyone. Were there any aspects of your experience that really caught you off guard or surprised you the most?
I was most surprised by the brain fog nobody was talking about. Some days, my memory felt like it was playing hide and seek. I was losing my train of thought in the middle of a conversation, walking into a room and completely forgetting what I walked into the room to get. It wasn’t just physical changes — these subtle mental shifts caught me off guard. I even discussed this on my podcast to share my experience and discovered that many women experience brain fog during perimenopause, which was such a relief because I realized I wasn’t alone.
In the past, menopause was often seen as a taboo subject. How do you think the conversation around menopause has evolved in recent years, and what do you hope to see change in the future?
We used to whisper about menopause like it was some shameful condition. Now? Women are finally talking openly, sharing experiences, and demanding better healthcare. It’s about time. I want to see more research. We women in menopause or perimenopause are far from the stigma of being “done” — this is truly our age of possibility. It’s a time when we can redefine ourselves, embrace new opportunities, and step into the changes going on in our bodies with wisdom and confidence.
How did you handle any emotional or mental health challenges that came up during menopause, such as mood swings or feelings of isolation?
I wasn’t afraid to seek advice. Therapy, talking with friends, and sometimes just acknowledging “this is hard” made a world of difference. Isolation is a choice — I chose connection. I found incredible support from the women around me, the women I work with on my podcast, my listeners and the guests, as well as from my fellow Q50 women at QVC. What amazed me most was that the more I opened up and shared my experiences, the more I heard from others who had similar stories. That’s how we get through: by leaning on each other and realizing we’re not alone.
Looking back on your journey, what advice would you give to women who are around the average age of the onset of menopause?
Be kind to yourself. Your body is doing exactly what it’s supposed to be doing, and it doesn’t define your worth. Invest in comfortable clothes, learn to layer, stay hydrated, and, for heaven’s sake, laugh. This is a transition, not an ending!
How did your menopause journey impact your approach to your career and your roles? Did you feel a shift in how you were perceived in the industry?
The entertainment industry hasn’t always been kind to women aging, holding us to unrealistic beauty standards that we’re still working hard to challenge and redefine. I’m embracing this stage of life with strength and confidence. If anything, once I chose to lean into my 50s, I became more confident in redefining myself. I’m not about to let a few natural hormonal shifts dictate my career trajectory.
As someone who started their career young, in a very youth-focused industry, were there moments when you felt a disconnect between your personal experience of aging and the entertainment industry’s focus on youth?
The entertainment world loves youth, but wisdom? That’s priceless. I’ve learned to celebrate my age, not apologize for it. I love myself enough to focus on the things that are important rather than waste my precious time worrying about what the entertainment industry thinks of me.
How has menopause influenced your perspective on beauty and self-image in Hollywood?
Having gotten to know the 52-year-old me, I wouldn’t want to go back to the 25-year-old me. Beauty isn’t about looking 25. It’s about confidence, knowing yourself, and, yes, loving yourself. Hollywood is slowly catching up. We’re leading the charge, but there’s still more work to be done.
As a mother and an actress, you’ve balanced a lot throughout your career. How did menopause affect your ability to manage both, and did you ever feel like you had to put your career or self-care on the back burner?
As a young mother, a wife, and an actress, I was constantly putting myself on the back burner. All those things took priority over my self-care until I started to notice my body changing and my mind shifting. I was so inspired by the resurgence of that iconic “I Choose Me” line from Beverly Hills, 90210 — it completely shifted my perspective on self-care. That famous line coming back into my life encouraged me to make “choosing myself” a guiding principle in almost every facet of my life. I’m passionate about encouraging women to prioritize themselves, whether it’s in small ways — like choosing to eat healthier or go for a walk — or in bigger decisions, like pursuing a new career or walking away from relationships that no longer serve them. This philosophy has been my inspiration to stop putting my self-care on the back burner. I realized I needed to practice what I preach.
Navigating menopause has been a delicate dance of managing energy and expectations. I’ve learned to be intentional with my time, unapologetically prioritizing self-care (in a sense, just being nice to myself) while still balancing family and life responsibilities.
How does it feel to work with a brand like QVC that empowers women and promotes products directed at women who are in or going through menopause?
While we wait for roles for women in Hollywood to evolve (it’s happening, but there’s still work to be done!), it feels incredible to work with a brand that sees me — really sees me. Not as a demographic but as a vibrant, complex woman with stories to tell and value to share. Platforms like QVC’s Age of Possibility are fantastic because they showcase women as multifaceted, powerful, and absolutely fabulous at every stage. The day I attended the Q50 women’s summit was the first day I was in the same room with all 50 of those amazing women, and the feeling of being surrounded by ladies who are in the same stage of life and being inspired by their incredible stories and feeling their support was a real game changer for me.
