Quote of the Day by Glenn Close: “There is no perfect woman. I think we should be embraced…” - The powerful life lesson behind Oscar-winning actress' message on embracing your imperfections

What does it actually mean to be a “perfect woman”? For Hollywood veteran Glenn Close, the answer is simple: there is no such person. Years ago, while discussing a film that poked fun at society’s obsession with the supposedly ideal woman, Close shared a message that went beyond the movie itself. Her words challenged the pressure to look flawless, behave perfectly and constantly meet expectations, while making a case for something far more realistic, accepting the imperfections that make each person unique.

Glenn Close’s quote on the "perfect woman"

The quote of the day is: "So what's the perfect woman? "There is no perfect woman. I think we should be embraced for our imperfections and that's one of the things that you come out of this movie with."

Close shared the statement during a CBS News interview in 2004, while discussing her role in The Stepford Wives, the 2004 satirical thriller that explores the idea of women being transformed into seemingly perfect versions of themselves.


The film itself deals with a world where perfection comes at a disturbing cost. Against that backdrop, Close’s comment questions the very idea that women should have to fit into a predetermined image of perfection.

Her message is straightforward. Nobody can realistically meet every expectation placed on them, and trying to do so can take away from what makes a person individual. Instead of treating imperfections as something that must always be corrected or hidden, Close argues that they should be accepted.

That idea applies far beyond physical appearance. People can spend years trying to present a flawless version of themselves - at work, in relationships, on social media or in everyday life. The pressure to always appear confident, successful, attractive and in control can make ordinary mistakes feel like personal failures.

Close’s words offer another way of looking at those imperfections. They are not necessarily weaknesses. They can simply be part of being human.

Why embracing imperfections matters

The idea behind Close’s quote is particularly relevant in a culture where perfection is often presented as something achievable. Social media can make other people's lives appear carefully curated, while beauty standards, professional expectations and social pressures can create the impression that everyone else has figured things out.

For women, that pressure can be particularly intense. There can be expectations around appearance, age, relationships, motherhood, careers and behaviour, often creating a narrow definition of what a woman is supposed to be.

Close’s message challenges that definition.

Accepting imperfections does not mean giving up on personal growth. Instead, it means understanding that making mistakes, having insecurities or not always meeting expectations does not make someone less valuable.

It can also change the way people deal with failure. Someone who believes they must always be perfect may avoid taking risks because failure could damage the image they are trying to maintain. Accepting that mistakes are inevitable can make it easier to try something new, learn from setbacks and move forward.

The same principle can also affect relationships. When people stop trying to appear perfect all the time, they can be more honest about their fears, mistakes and vulnerabilities. That honesty can create stronger connections than maintaining an artificial image of having everything under control.

In that sense, Close’s statement is not simply about appearance. It is about allowing people to exist without constantly measuring themselves against an impossible standard.

Glenn Close’s work front

Glenn Close has spent more than five decades building a career across film, television and theatre. Born on March 19, 1947, the American actress first gained recognition on stage before becoming one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed performers.

Her Broadway debut came in Love for Love in 1974. She went on to win three Tony Awards, including awards for her performances in The Real Thing, Death and the Maiden and the musical Sunset Boulevard.

She made her film debut in The World According to Garp in 1982, earning her first Academy Award nomination. She went on to appear in several major films during the 1980s and 1990s, including The Big Chill, The Natural, Fatal Attraction, Dangerous Liaisons, Reversal of Fortune, The Paper and Air Force One.

She also became widely recognised for playing Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians and its sequel 102 Dalmatians. Her voice work included Kala in Disney’s Tarzan.

Television brought further recognition. Close won a Primetime Emmy Award for Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story and later won two consecutive Emmys for her role as Patty Hewes in the drama series Damages.

Her later film work includes Albert Nobbs, The Wife, Hillbilly Elegy and Wake Up Dead Man.

Across her career, Close has received numerous major honours, including three Primetime Emmy Awards, three Tony Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. She has also received eight Academy Award nominations. In 2019, Time included her on its list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Away from acting, Close is involved in several other areas. She is president of Trillium Productions and co-founded FetchDog. She has also been vocal about women's rights, same-sex marriage and mental health.

Her personal experiences and public advocacy have added another dimension to a career that has frequently involved complex female characters.

Close is now set to receive an Honorary Academy Award at the 17th Governors Awards, adding another major honour to a career that has already crossed theatre, television and film.