A millennial woman’s viral video declaring The White Lotus characters “middle aged” has ignited a debate over what that term means in 2025.
In the Instagram reel, Stuart Brazell (@stuartbrazell), 43, addressed criticism in response to a previous post where viewers refuted the girls trio, played by Michelle Monaghan, 49, Carrie Coon, 44, and Leslie Bibb, 50 , were middle aged. It comes as fans learned Monaghan’s character Jaclyn is 45.
“Middle aged is considered to be between the ages of 40 and 65, although there is quite the battle going on over in the comment section of this video regarding this age range,” Brazell told Newsweek.
The post has racked up 557,000 views and 3,300 likes on Instagram — and a flood of heated comments arguing about when midlife really begins.
stuartbrazell/stuartbrazell
The White Lotus, a dark comedy-drama anthology created by Mike White, centers each season around guests at an exclusive White Lotus resort. The upcoming third season, set in Thailand, follows a group of American travelers whose spiritual journeys are complicated by secrets, conflict, and death.
In another video she discussed how Jaclyn is not dealing well with getting older. This is suggested in a scene where she parties with younger women and goes after Valentin, the butler, despite already having a partner 10 years junior — and knowing her friend Laurie has a crush on him. Stuart argued this behavior was based on a lack of self-esteem, validation issues and could touch on society’s obsession with aging.
In her commentary, Brazell acknowledged that generational shifts, especially among Gen Z, are redefining age perceptions, with some believing middle age starts at 35. She also referenced the average life expectancy of American women at 77, suggesting that middle age might begin at 37.
The mom-of-3 lives in L.A. and works in the entertainment industry renowned for ageism and shame regarding ageing, however, she says she’s proud to be in her forties and had children later in life.
“Self confidence is everything in middle age! Peak hotness isn’t just about how you look, it’s how you feel. I’m turning 44 in April and I am proud and content with who I am, where I came from and where I’m heading. Aging is a privilege! Let’s get rid of the negativity associated with the term middle aged. We are literally just talking numbers. You don’t turn 40 and become an automatic Golden Girl! You can be sexy AND be middle aged,” she said.
Expert Insight
Sabrina Greer, founder of fEMPOWER Publications and a publicist for female entrepreneurs, says the traditional definition of middle age is not just outdated — it’s irrelevant.
“In 2025, middle age is less a numerical marker and more a mythic threshold — a liminal space between what has been and what is yet to bloom. It’s not something we “hit” at a certain age, but a deeper psychological and spiritual initiation that invites us to claim a new kind of authorship over our lives. For women especially, this chapter is not a crisis. It’s a calling,” she told Newsweek.
She argued the woman at 50 saying she is not middle-aged yet might not be in denial, but rather resisting an outdated stereotype she does not see fit.
“Likewise, the 35-year-old who does feel middle-aged may be experiencing an emotional and existential shift — one worth honoring, regardless of age,” she said.
Licensed therapist Rachel Marmor agrees, she told Newsweek: “The old definitions — a midlife span from 40 to 60 — feel increasingly obsolete in a world where 50 is the new fabulous and 30 is sometimes the new exhausted.
“In fact, many people now spend more years not feeling middle-aged than ever before, thanks to longevity, technology, and a shifting cultural narrative that celebrates confidence and reinvention.”
She points to platforms like TikTok, where women of all ages are going viral for their confidence, humor, and wisdom.
“Whether you feel middle-aged at 38 or don’t own the title at 58, what matters most is how you feel about yourself,” she concluded.
Social Media Reacts
Social media users debated in the post’s comments about what defines middle age and how they feel about aging.
“I don’t know how many times I am going to have to say this on the internet but “middle aged” is the shortened version of the phrase “middle adulthood.” It’s not the middle of your life. It’s the middle of your adulthood, which started at 18. Fifty is middle age. Thirty-five absolutely is not. Stop making up new fake things,” shared one user.
“My son told me our generation is set to live until 120. So I haven’t reached middle aged yet. 53 and loving it!,” chimed in the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Sutton Stracke.
“I’m 45 and definitely middle aged. Exactly how long do people think they are going to live for? Lol,” said Amber
“Gen X has the best mindset for navigating middle age or entering middle age! I’m 48 and work with hundreds of 45+ women per year…we’re not doing midlife like our Mamas did it!!,” said Jaime Diehl.
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