Podcast Summary: The Run-Through with Vogue

Episode: Why Halle Berry Says She's Never Had a Birthday Party
Date: February 6, 2026
Hosts: Chloe Malle and Chioma Nnadi
Guests: Halle Berry, Margot Ambuba (Vogue Beauty Editor), Kiana Murden (Vogue Beauty Editor)

Overview

This episode of The Run-Through with Vogue welcomes legendary actress Halle Berry to discuss her new film "Crime 101," the realities of aging in Hollywood, her wellness and beauty philosophies, and her advocacy for menopause awareness. The conversation is candid, empowering, and lighthearted, revealing Halle’s personal experiences and thoughts on subjects ranging from sleep routines to star-studded fashion moments—with insights into her new venture, Re-Spin, aiming to change the dialogue around women’s health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Halle Berry’s New Film: "Crime 101"

[12:37–15:10]

• Halle describes the film, a heist drama based on a Don Winslow novella, and her connection with director Bart Layton and co-stars Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth.
• The film features layered characters: a high-class thief, a world-weary cop, and Sharon Colvin—a middle-aged insurance broker played by Halle.
• The conversation highlights the double meaning of "101" both as an introduction and a literal reference to L.A.’s 101 freeway.

Notable Moment:
"There was a moment where I think all the women in the audience kind of cheered a little bit. And so that let me know that this is a message that this movie delivers to women that I think is overdue." — Halle Berry [13:12]

2. The Realities of Aging as a Woman in Hollywood

[17:41–21:03]

• Halle candidly discusses how her character, age 53 and deemed "no longer valuable" by her company, mirrors her own experiences as an older actress.
• She describes increasing ageism—losing roles or being pushed into grandmotherly or side character roles despite not feeling or looking especially old.
• The panel reflects on how women's ages are referenced differently vs. men:
  "Every time I read my name, it has my age before it... I was sitting with my co-stars, Chris Hemsworth and Mark, and I'm like, I don't even know how old you dudes are... But they know how old I am." — Halle Berry [20:14]

Memorable Quote:
"So I do understand what this character felt like... and it was just a heartbreaking moment that I know so many women have felt, whether they want to admit it or not. I know we all have felt marginalized, unseen." — Halle Berry [19:14]

3. Wellness, Sleep, and Technology Practices

[15:14–17:32]

• Halle shares how menopause symptoms led her to seek out sleep technology, like the "Eight Sleep" mattress, helping with hot flashes and sleep deprivation.
• She advocates for wearable tech (like the Oura ring) to track wellness, emphasizing solutions tailored specifically for peri/menopausal women.

Memorable Exchange:
"When you can't sleep... sleep deprivation is legit a form of torture. So imagine how if you're not sleeping night after night, you just become aggro and just your days get really hard." — Halle Berry [16:39]

4. The Evolution of Beauty Routines

[24:48–25:24]

• Halle’s beauty non-negotiable is sunscreen:
  "I'm a stickler for sunscreen... When I'm not working, I don't wear makeup. So it's really just about some kind of living lip mask or lip balm and sunscreen." — Halle Berry [25:05]
• She believes, with age, less is more in beauty.

5. The Red Carpet and Iconic Fashion

[26:48–31:12]

• Halle reminisces about her favorite looks: her Oscar-winning Elie Saab dress (which she keeps displayed at home), her recent Met Gala LaQuan Smith gown, and her fondness for designers like Chanel, Versace, and Dior.
• She prefers not to have custom-made dresses for big events, instead opting for options she can try on and select based on her mood on the day.

Fashion Wisdom:
"You want to feel. You have to feel good so that you can actually wear the dress and not have the dress wear you and not feel awkward in it." — Halle Berry [29:00]

6. Menopause: Breaking Taboos & Founding "Re-Spin"

[39:29–48:06]

• Halle details the misdiagnoses that led to founding Re-Spin: she experienced severe symptoms she later learned were menopausal but was first misdiagnosed with STIs and autoimmune diseases.
• She realized widespread ignorance in the medical community about menopause, noting doctors receive minimal training on the subject.
• Her goal is building a science-backed, supportive community for women before and during menopause.

Notable Story & Quote:
"A doctor before tried to tell me that I had Sjögren's disease because my mouth was dry... he’s about to put me on steroids for the rest of my life with an autoimmune disease when it was just dry mouth from perimenopause." — Halle Berry [43:45]
"Women need women. We need other women to talk to, to hold our hands, to share our stories... that's what works." — Halle Berry [47:49]

7. Aging, Astrology, and Personal Rituals

[49:39–52:27]

• Halle, a Leo, discusses her astrological side and her fierce loyalty.
• Reveals she has never had a birthday party, but wishes to celebrate her “shiesta”—a menopause milestone similar to a bat mitzvah or sweet sixteen—to honor this chapter of her life.

Notable Quote:
"I've never had a birthday party... But I am looking forward to my shiesta. That’ll be my first party." — Halle Berry [51:14]

8. Upcoming Projects & Self-Discovery

[52:30–54:17]

• Discusses the much-anticipated "Maude vs. Maude" with Angelina Jolie, and her upcoming film "Fleur," which explores a woman’s journey to reclaiming her identity after years of marriage and motherhood.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Intro/About the Grammys & Fashion (skip to main content): [00:00–11:56]
• Crime 101 and Halle’s Entrance: [12:37–15:10]
• Ageism & Hollywood: [17:41–21:03]
• Wellness & Sleep Tech: [15:14–17:32]
• Red Carpet Experiences: [26:48–31:12]
• Menopause and Re-Spin: [39:29–48:06]
• Leo Identity & the "Shiesta" Celebration: [49:39–52:27]
• Upcoming Projects: [52:30–54:17]

Notable Quotes

• "Every time I read my name, it has my age before it... I was sitting with my co-stars Chris Hemsworth and Mark, and I'm like, I don't even know how old you dudes are... But they know how old I am." — Halle Berry [20:14]
• "When you can't sleep... sleep deprivation is legit a form of torture." — Halle Berry [16:39]
• "There are so many therapies that we don't know yet or that have yet to be discovered... What works is hearing from other women. What are you experiencing and what's working for you? Like help me, girl." — Halle Berry [47:49]
• "I've never had a birthday party... But I am looking forward to my shiesta. That’ll be my first party." — Halle Berry [51:14]

Tone & Overall Vibe

The episode is candid, affirming, peppered with humor and lived-in wisdom. Halle Berry’s presence brings a blend of Hollywood glamour, vulnerability, and advocacy, making for a conversation that is both deeply personal and universally resonant for women navigating aging, wellness, and reinvention.

This summary omits commercial breaks and focuses entirely on podcast content and conversations.