Oscar winner Halle Berry's next choice for US President? Not California Gov. Gavin Newsom, she made that abundantly clear on Wednesday.
The Monster's Ball and Catwoman star bravely criticized Newsom and took aim at his potential run for president in 2028 during it address at the New York Times DealBook Summit, where he also served as a speaker. Berry, 59, spoke candidly about her struggles with perimenopausal symptoms and lamented the governor's October veto decision. Assembly Bill 432which sought to expand insurance coverage for menopause-related care and treatment.
“In my great state of California, my own Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed our menopause bill not once, but two years in a row,” she told the Jazz at Lincoln Center crowd, “but that’s okay, because he won’t be governor forever.”
“Given the way he overlooks women – half the population – by devaluing us in midlife, he probably shouldn't be our next president either,” she continued, drawing some groans from the audience. “Just saying.”
A spokesman for the governor said Thursday that Newsom “deeply admires Ms. Berry's advocacy and looks forward to working with her and other stakeholders on this important issue.”
“He shares her goal of expanding access to menopause care, which too many women find difficult to obtain,” the statement said, before explaining Newsom's decision Vetoed AB 432 in October. The statement said the bill is a modified version AB 2467 (which Newsom vetoed in 2024) would “inadvertently increase health care costs for millions of working women and working families already stretched thin.”
The statement added: “We are confident that by working together this year, we can increase access to essential menopause treatments while protecting women from higher bills.”
Ahead of her 17-minute speech on Wednesday, Berry spoke about her fight for menopause awareness and care in 2024. Last March, she revealed that the pain she experienced during sex was the result of vaginal dryness, a symptom of menopause. perimenopauseand not herpes, as the doctor mistakenly concluded. This experience, she said at the time, prompted her to raise awareness about menopause and led her to search Respina digital community described as “a resource for women in the midst of, on the cusp of, or preparing for menopause.”
Last year, the mother of two also appeared on Capitol Hill along with several senators from both parties to advocate for funding for menopause education and treatment.
On Thursday, Berry stressed that the fight to improve menopause care doesn't just fall on women and the people experiencing it.
“We need every leader, every single one of you in this room, this fight needs you,” she said. “We need you to remain curious, we need you to ask questions. We need you to care, even when the topic seems unfamiliar and uncomfortable.”
Berry also urged women to “refuse to be humiliated during one of the most important times of your life.” When she was about 60, the actress told her audience: “I have nothing left to give.”
“I will fight as hard as I can because my longevity depends on it. My daughter's longevity depends on it. The longevity of women all over the world depends on it.”
