Tina Fey Labels Midlife Physical Changes as “Reverse Puberty”

In a televised interview with “Today” on Thursday, comedian and writer Tina Fey, age 56, characterized the bodily changes she experiences in her 50s as “reverse puberty.” She explained that the skin and body feel “papery” compared with the oily texture of early adolescence, describing the shift as “disgusting in new ways.” The remarks were made while promoting the Netflix series The Four Seasons.

HuffPost

Fey previously discussed challenges related to aging in a 2022 interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*, noting difficulty staying awake past midnight. She referenced the impact of this issue during the “SNL50” afterparty the same year, indicating a broader pattern of lifestyle adjustments associated with her advancing age.

HuffPost

“The Four Seasons” writers’ room consists primarily of individuals in their 50s, many of whom have known each other for an extended period. Fey highlighted that this demographic similarity fosters open discussion of personal aging experiences. She indicated that some of these shared anecdotes have been incorporated into the series’ narrative, though specific plot details were not disclosed.

HuffPost

• Tina Fey: 56 years old, entering her seventh decade.

HuffPost

• “Four Seasons” writing staff: Predominantly in their 50s, described as “pretty much the same age.”

HuffPost

• No additional quantitative data were provided regarding the exact number of writers or their ages.

HuffPost

Fey conveyed that the physiological changes of her 50s resemble a reversal of puberty, with skin becoming “papery” rather than oily. She emphasized that the writers’ collective age similarity enables candid sharing of aging-related experiences, some of which have been adapted for the show. Additionally, she reiterated prior comments about reduced nighttime stamina.

HuffPost

• “I feel like it’s a reverse puberty in a way. It’s like your body starts to change and be disgusting in new ways,” — Tina Fey, comedian and writer

HuffPost

• “When you’re 12 or 13, you’re like, ‘Why am I so oily?’ And now you’re like, ‘Why am I so papery?’” — Tina Fey

HuffPost

• “We’re all pretty much the same age,” — Tina Fey, referring to the “Four Seasons” writers

HuffPost

• “Almost all of us have known each other a super long time, and so all the writers are really good about sharing their own things,” — Tina Fey

HuffPost

Fey is scheduled to attend a screening and Q&A event for The Four Seasons on June 2, where she is expected to discuss the series and her recent comments on aging.

HuffPost