Hollywood actress Ashley Judd has celebrated her 58th birthday, sharing highlights from her party after years out of the spotlight.
The star, known for her roles in Heat, High Crimes, Double Jeopardy, and A Time To Kill took to social media to share the update, dedicating this birthday to her younger self by doing things she would’ve enjoyed as a kid.
“On my 58th birthday, my inner 12-year-old was ready to receive love, care, attunement, delight, protection, and provision,” she began in the caption.
She reflected on how she wanted to care for her inner child as an adult, by fulfilling her dreams and giving her the attention she needed.
“I don’t remember any of my birthdays growing up,” she admitted.
“I do remember loving some elements of Mrs. Minor’s 6th grade class at Grassland Elementary in 1979: science, geology, dinosaurs with their hilarious tiny arms and giant mouths eating leaves from treetops,” she continued, listing all the activities she used to enjoy as a kid.
Since stepping away from the Hollywood spotlight, Judd has shared glimpses of her life online and focuses on social justice and advocacy, after sharing her own childhood trauma.
She first opened up about her trauma, including being raped three times, in her 2011 memoir All That is Bitter & Sweet.
“There was no parent (or adult) supporting, nurturing, guiding and reinforcing my learning, delighting in, or protecting that little girl,” she wrote in the birthday post.
“This past weekend, alongside sensitive, playful people who also relish carefree timelessness, we restaged my 12th birthday party. We backfilled what was always missing and no longer is, thanks to vulnerable imagination.
“We laughed, frolicked, square danced, took a Scopes Monkey Trial True or False quiz, and ate a dream cake any 12-year-old would adore.”
In the post she shared a clip of her singing and dancing with a hairbrush for a microphone, something she felt ashamed of doing as a younger child as a family member once told her she “couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket.”
“At the time, I wasn’t even capable of fully taking in how cruel that so-called joke was.”
The Hollywood star wore a blue checkered dress, and embraced her natural self with a no makeup look and greying hair.
“Children need to be seen, witnessed, validated, encouraged, protected, guided, and supported,” she continued.
“I am grateful to my Higher Power, to myself, and to the beautiful people who show up for their own inner children as well as mine.
“Today, it is safe for me to feel the innocence of the childhood I always deserved.”
Fans praised her for the touching message, with one saying “you inspire me!”
“I am absolutely smitten with your natural hair colour, and no make-up look. So refreshing from the rest of Hollywood and music stars,” another added.
“What a powerfully healing way to spend your birthday,” a third wrote.
Judd has only been accepting selected film roles including an appearance in a 2024 apocalyptic indie thriller and an upcoming true-story football drama 21 Down.
Images: Instagram
