While being a universally celebrated and beloved public figure may sound like a dream come true for many, Gillian Anderson will be the first to tell aspiring actors that fame is far more complicated than some glitzy, glamorous portrayals seem to purport. For example, as Anderson revealed in an eye-opening February 2019 Vogue profile, seeing oneself onscreen can be quite the emotional journey. According to the star, seeing herself age on film has been particularly traumatic. 

"If you watch yourself on film, there is a certain point you see yourself ... change. It's arresting," Anderson told Vogue, revealing that she'd once spent a whole day in the late aughts crying over the "cruelty" of aging. The star continued, "It can either be completely traumatic or something that instigates a shift of consciousness towards thinking about what's important. But you have to go through that trauma first, to mourn."

Fortunately, Anderson has now seemingly accepted the inevitability of growing older. The actress offered up her best advice on how to combat insecurity surrounding the aging process, telling Vogue, "The thing to remember is, how one looks in the mirror is the youngest one will ever look again." Added Anderson, "So you can't do anything but celebrate it!"