Halle Berry Speaks Out about the Governor of California at the Dealbook Summit

What began as a reflection on the "Cat Woman" actress's own journey quickly turned into a broader challenge — one aimed not just at policymakers, but at a culture that continues to overlook the women it claims to celebrate.

Halle Berry took the stage at The New York Times DealBook Summit on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, and delivered a pointed, deeply personal speech about the treatment of women in Hollywood, corporate America, and government. She also called out California Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing a menopause-related bill she backed twice.

The actress, filmmaker, and founder of the menopause-care company Respin spoke directly about aging, representation, and political accountability, drawing audible gasps from the crowd, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"At this stage in my life, I have zero [expletive] left to give," Berry reportedly told a room full of executives, public figures, and industry leaders.

She said she has spent years lobbying in Washington and across the country for legislation that supports menopause research and women's health education. But back home in California, she said, progress has hit a wall.

California's Governor in the Crosshairs

"Back in my great state of California, my very own governor, Gavin Newsom, has vetoed our menopause bill, not one, but two years in a row," Berry said. "But that's okay, because he's not going to be governor forever, and the way he has overlooked women, half the population, by devaluing us, he probably should not be our next president either. Just saying."

Berry's remarks combined personal insight and political frustration. She reflected on her journey as a founder, artist, activist, and woman navigating midlife.

"As a founder, I'm building for myself what I wish I had 10 years ago with the knowing that it's going to help generations and generations to come," she said.

A Culture That Pressures Women to Disappear

Berry stressed that, even in 2025, American culture continues to sideline older women, arguing that women in midlife — herself included — are still widely devalued despite ongoing conversations about health, longevity, and representation.

"Our culture thinks that at 59 years old, I am past my prime, and that women my age start to become invisible in Hollywood, in the workplace, on social media," she added. "Women are pressured to stay forever 35."

"We're complimented if we seem to be aging backwards or defying gravity, as if that's even possible, and if we somehow manage to look younger than our years, it's suggested that's the gold standard that our worth should be measured by," she added.

The Pressure Women Face to Be Seen

Berry went on to describe the intense pressure women face to alter their appearance to stay visible, relevant, and desirable, noting that even she feels the daily pull to change herself to meet unrealistic expectations about youth.

She then shared a powerful memory from her childhood in Cleveland, Ohio — a moment that has stayed with her for decades — recalling how classmates threatened and then beat her, leaving her humiliated and alone as she picked herself up from the gutter, convinced at the time that she had no choice but to accept the mistreatment.

"But as I was walking home, I said, no. I'm never going to allow this to happen to me again," she said. "I'm never not going to stand up for myself. I'll never allow myself to be a victim like that, and since I was in the sixth grade, I have never allowed myself to be misused or abused or mistreated in any way."

Her message — a combination of political urgency, cultural critique, and personal resilience — made an impression on the summit, where leaders had gathered to discuss power, influence, and the future of policy and business.

And while Berry used the DealBook stage to challenge political power and cultural expectations, she has also been defending her choices in her personal life — most recently stepping into another public debate sparked by a playful Mother's Day post.

Critics Slam Mother's Day Post

On June 4, 2025, Halle Berry addressed backlash to a video she posted on Mother's Day that showed her in bed with longtime boyfriend, Van Hunt. Speaking as a guest host on "Today with Jenna & Friends," the actress pushed back against critics who claimed the clip was inappropriate.

She also said that she had every right to spend the holiday how she wanted and to talk openly about intimacy and love.

On May 11, Berry uploaded a short Instagram video while in Cannes, France. In it, she and Hunt were in bed, and the actress prominently displayed a small bottle of Let's Spin Intimacy Gel, a product from her Respin line created for women navigating menopause.

With a playful tone, she said she had already shown her followers how Mother's Day started, but in this clip, she would reveal how their day would end. After turning to Hunt for confirmation, he quipped, "Yes. I wish you'd hurry up, too," prompting laughter from Berry.

While the video was lighthearted and showed no explicit content, it sparked strong reactions online. Many questioned whether it was appropriate for Berry to post about intimacy on a day meant to celebrate mothers.

Berry Pushes Back Against the Backlash

Speaking to Jenna Bush Hager, Berry said the criticism surprised her, especially since it came from other women.

"It did because women, other women, got in their feelings and, 'Was it right for her to be in her bed talking about spinning with her man?' Yes!" Berry said. "And they were saying, 'And should she be talking about that on Mother's Day? Shouldn't she be with her kids somewhere?' First of all, it's not 'Kids' Day.' It's called 'Mother's Day.' 'Kids' Day' is every day of the year."

Berry added that no one else had the right to define how a mother should celebrate. She also clarified that "spinning" was a euphemism for intimacy, and argued there was nothing shameful or inappropriate about that.

Defending Intimacy and Calling for More Openness

She even asserted that it's the most natural thing people do, whether women or men, and firmly believed that her honest way of speaking was beneficial rather than hurtful.

Furthermore, the actress addressed those who criticized her for discussing intimacy on a public platform. Some argued Instagram was a "family channel," to which Berry responded that family life includes honest conversations about love and more.

"We have sex. It's the most natural thing we do," she said, adding that continued sexual health and pleasure are important for long-term well-being. "That's really a key component to longevity."

Additionally, Berry pointed out that the video showed no more than two people in bed under sheets and that the backlash was exaggerated. "You saw nothing. So we're in bed. So what? We sleep in beds, people," she said. Hager responded by saying, "And you're in love," to which Berry agreed.

Instead of fighting over what everyone thought of her video, Berry wanted people to focus on love and unity, arguing that they should prioritize kindness. Fortunately, this wasn't the only topic discussed during her time with Today.

Hunt Has Proposed, but There's a Catch

Later that same day, Berry and Hunt spoke to Today online and revealed that he had already proposed. Hunt said, "So I put out the proposal, and it's still on hold as you can see," while Berry laughed.

When asked why she hadn't accepted yet, Berry said that neither of them feels marriage is necessary to prove their love. She explained that with her three previous marriages and Hunt's one, they didn't believe they needed to marry to validate their love.

The actress also mentioned that marriage could happen later, not out of obligation, but because they desired it. However, she added that, among all her previous relationships, Hunt was the person she should have married.

A Relationship Built on Friendship and Mutual Respect

The couple made their relationship public in September 2020 and have since become known for sharing affectionate—and sometimes bold—glimpses into their life together.

Furthermore, Berry revealed her inner circle approved of their relationship. She described this type of connection as something she'd always desired, having pictured herself in a committed, loving relationship with her closest friend—someone she both respected and loved.

Despite the initial controversy, Berry has stood firm in her message: mothers deserve autonomy, joy, and the right to express love in their own way. As she put it, "It's my day, and if I want to be in bed and spin with my man, then that's what I am going to do."

Whether on a global stage discussing policy or on national television defending her personal choices, Halle Berry's message remains clear: women deserve to be seen, valued, and free to define their own lives. And as she pushes back against expectations — in politics, in Hollywood, and in her personal life — she shows no sign of retreating from the space she's claimed for herself.