Alone But Not Lonely: Hollywood Women Who Thrived in Solitude and Redefined Independence

Sunday, August, 11. 2024. This is for Jen Delmonte who gave me the idea.

Many Hollywood women have debunked the myth that being alone equates to loneliness through their lives and public statements.

These women have embraced solitude as a time for self-discovery, empowerment, and fulfillment, showing that independence can be a source of strength rather than a sign of deficiency.

That all sounds very nice, but why is human intimacy so profoundly disappointing?

Charlize Theron: Redefining Motherhood and Independence

Charlize Theron has never conformed to the traditional expectations of marriage and relationships. Despite having been in several high-profile relationships, Theron has chosen not to marry, instead focusing on her career and motherhood.

She has adopted two children, and her life reflects her belief that fulfillment comes from living authentically and not according to societal pressures. Theron once said, "I never wanted to get married. Those are things that are not hard for me, because they’re innately my truth. I find it a little bit off-putting when women say, 'Oh, I just didn’t have the opportunity.' I’m like, 'No, just admit that you didn’t want to do it.'" This statement highlights how Theron views her independence as a natural and fulfilling choice​ (Stars Insider)​ (Peoplemag).

Diane Keaton: Hollywood’s Eternal Maverick

Diane Keaton is a beacon of independence in Hollywood, having never married and openly embracing her single status.

Keaton has built a life filled with work, friendships, and family, all while rejecting the notion that a woman needs a partner to be complete. She adopted two children and has lived a life that she finds deeply satisfying, famously stating,

"I have a lot of male friends. I have a lot of friends, but no dates. No mwah-mwah." Keaton's contentment with her single life challenges the traditional narrative that a woman’s value is tied to her relationship status​ (Peoplemag).

Jennifer Aniston: Redefining Public Perceptions

Jennifer Aniston has long been under the public eye regarding her relationships, particularly after her marriages to Brad Pitt and Justin Theroux. However, Aniston has repeatedly emphasized that she is fulfilled and happy without a partner.

She has discussed the pressure that society places on women to be in a relationship, especially in Hollywood, and how she has found joy and satisfaction in focusing on her career, friendships, and personal well-being. Aniston’s experience underscores the liberation that comes from rejecting societal expectations and embracing one’s own path​ (Stars Insider)​ (Peoplemag).

Khloé Kardashian: Embracing Singlehood After Public Heartache

Khloé Kardashian has had her share of public relationship turmoil, particularly in her on-again, off-again relationship with Tristan Thompson, the father of her children.

After enduring years of drama, Kardashian has come to embrace singlehood as a period of growth and empowerment. In 2024, she made it clear that she is thriving as a single woman, sharing on social media that "she's not single because she can't get a man; she's single because every time she focuses on somebody, they show her exactly why she’s better off alone."

Kardashian's journey reflects a broader cultural shift where women are increasingly valuing their independence and prioritizing their own happiness over societal expectations​ (Peoplemag).

Emma Watson: The Birth of “Self-Partnering”

Emma Watson’s term "self-partnered" became a cultural touchstone, offering a fresh perspective on singlehood. Watson has spoken about the pressures that come with turning 30, particularly the expectation that women should have their lives, including marriage and children, sorted by that age. Instead, Watson has embraced her single status as a time for self-reflection and personal growth.

Her stance encourages women to view being single as a valuable and enriching experience, free from the stigma often associated with it​ (Peoplemag).

Sharon Stone: Valuing Authenticity Over Companionship

After a string of disappointing relationships, Sharon Stone declared that she was done with dating, preferring the authenticity of her own company to the insincerity she encountered in the dating world.

Stone has emphasized that she finds fulfillment in her friendships, family, and personal growth rather than in romantic relationships that do not add value to her life. Her perspective is empowering for many women who feel societal pressure to be in a relationship at all costs​ (Peoplemag).

Mindy Kaling: The Power of Single Motherhood

Mindy Kaling’s choice to embrace single motherhood is a powerful statement of independence. She has chosen to raise her children independently, focusing on her career and her family without the complications that often accompany romantic relationships.

Kaling’s experience is a testament to the idea that a woman’s worth and fulfillment are not dependent on having a partner but on the choices she makes for herself and her family​ (Peoplemag).

Jenna Ortega: Youthful Independence

Jenna Ortega, a rising star known for her role in Wednesday, represents a younger generation that values independence and self-discovery.

Ortega has spoken about the importance of understanding oneself and setting personal goals before getting involved in a relationship. She views her time alone as essential for her personal and professional growth, reflecting a shift in how younger women approach relationships​ (Peoplemag).

Rihanna: Independence as a Lifestyle

Rihanna has built a global empire while maintaining her independence, often stating that she is in no rush to settle down or marry. She has spoken about enjoying her own company and focusing on her career, and her approach has inspired many to prioritize their own goals over societal pressures to conform to traditional relationship norms. Rihanna’s stance on independence is a powerful reminder that women can build successful, fulfilling lives on their own terms.

Lizzo: Celebrating Self-Love

Lizzo has become an icon of self-love and empowerment, frequently speaking about how she doesn’t feel the need to be in a relationship to be happy. She has embraced singlehood as a time to focus on her career and personal growth, and her messages about body positivity and self-acceptance have resonated with many. Lizzo’s experience highlights the importance of cultivating a healthy relationship with oneself as the foundation for happiness.

Tracee Ellis Ross: Joy in Solitude

Tracee Ellis Ross is another advocate for the joy of being single. Ross has often spoken about how she enjoys her own company and has cultivated a life full of love, purpose, and fulfillment without needing a romantic partner. She has discussed the societal pressures on women to marry and have children, and how she has chosen to live a life that is true to herself, focusing on her career, friendships, and personal happiness.

Keke Palmer: Discovering Self-Love

Keke Palmer has shared her thoughts on how being single has allowed her to focus on self-love and personal growth. She has expressed that being single has been a time for her to understand herself better and to invest in her own happiness, viewing this period as an opportunity to learn about herself without the distractions of a romantic relationship​ (Stars Insider).

Greta Garbo and Stevie Nicks: Pioneers of Solitude

Historically, figures like Greta Garbo and Stevie Nicks have embraced solitude as a path to personal and artistic growth.

Garbo’s famous declaration, "I want to be alone," and Nicks’ rejection of the pity often extended to single women reflect their deep-seated belief that solitude can be a powerful and fulfilling choice. Both women have become symbols of independence, demonstrating that being single is not synonymous with being lonely​ (Stars Insider)​ (Peoplemag).

Final thoughts

These women, through their public statements and life choices, have redefined what it means to be single in a world that often equates solitude with loneliness.

They challenge the traditional narrative that a woman’s worth is tied to her relationship status, showing that fulfillment, happiness, and purpose can be found in embracing one’s independence. Their stories inspire others to live authentically, prioritize self-love and personal growth, and find the unfettered joy in the freedom that comes with being alone.

If their advice becomes a new cultural standard, Cultural Narcissism will have prevailed.

Frankly, as a Marriage and Family Therapist, I hesitate to endorse such a mindset.

Has Intimacy become too much trouble? Or is there, frankly, more utility and less chaos for women at this level to be alone?

Be Well, Stay Kind, and Godspeed.

REFERENCES:

People Staff. (2024, February 10). 16 Celebrities share the relatable reasons why they're happy to be single. People. https://people.com/celebrity/single-celebrities-happy-alone/

Stars Insider Staff. (n.d.). Famous women on the power of being alone. Stars Insider. https://www.starsinsider.com/celebrity/461141/famous-women-on-the-power-of-being-alone

CBS News Staff. (2021, October 4). Sharon Stone: “I'm done dating”. CBS News. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/sharon-stone-on-the-pain-and-suffering-shes-endured-and-overcoming-it-all/

Esquire UK Staff. (2020, January 22). Charlize Theron: "A life is good if it's the life that you want." Esquire UK. https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/a30643079/charlize-theron-no-regrets/

Elle Staff. (2018, May 25). Nicki Minaj: "Something clicked in me." Elle. https://www.elle.com/culture/celebrities/a20139456/nicki-minaj-interview-elle/