ALLISON JANNEY THE PERFECT MUSE
In a culture still obsessed with youth, Janney’s power lies in her refusal to play the game. She isn’t “aging gracefully”, she is aging powerfully! At 65 years old, Allison Janney is still every director’s “brass ring,” every designer’s “hanger body,” and… she’s a damn good time!
There is a common thread running through her recent roles. Whether she’s playing the razor-sharp Palm Royale queen Evelyn Rolling, the commanding President of the United States Grace Penn in The Diplomat, or as Elenor the steely attorney in The Roses… she is a study in range. Proof she isn’t settling into any one phase but is willing to explore the limits of her craft.
In this imaginary Studio 54, sequins-soaked fever dream, she reminds us that being on top doesn’t come with an expiration date, but rather great style, great work, and great women who only get better with time.
and earrings by House of Emmanuele.
Jill Crosby: So [I am smiling ear to ear]… you’ve let me push the boundaries with you over the years, creatively and personally, and you’ve always leaned in. We’ve worked on films, television, award seasons, existential crises… but this is the first time in 22 years I haven’t been behind the hair chair asking you the questions. How does that feel? [We are giggling like two kids in their mother’s closet trying on her clothes in secret.]
Allison Janney: Honestly, it feels very comfortable. I’m comfortable knowing you’re going to ask good questions, and I’m comfortable knowing I’m going to provide good answers. [More laughter at the new roles we’re taking on.]
JC: This shoot was giving full Studio 54 fantasy, but with a 2025 edgy vibe. What was your relationship to the ’70s era, and how did it feel stepping into that world with this modern twist?
AJ: I loved that era — the glamour, the decadence of it all… the hair, the makeup, and how transformative it was. I wish I could have walked down a runway back then. I felt that energy in our shoot — I was playing the part of what I was dressed in, and it was fabulous.
JC: There is a real edge and sexuality in these photos. Do you feel sexier now than you did in your 30s? How has the concept of “sex appeal” changed over the years for you?
AJ: Well, I felt sexy in that photo shoot! When you get into the role — the glam, the clothes, the set — and Robert Ascroft is behind the camera, it lends itself to me accessing that place of sexual power inside. I find there is something sexy about a woman who is comfortable with herself — that’s sex appeal.
JC: Designers lovingly call you a “hanger body.” What is your fashion sense these days? How has your personal style grown and evolved? Are you bolder than you’ve been in the past?
AJ: I actually think my personal style has grown simpler in my everyday life — I go for quiet elegance. I love a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. But my stylist, Tara Swennen, loves to push our boundaries on carpets and at events.
JC: Do you think Hollywood is finally catching up to the idea that women don’t expire?
AJ: Absolutely! I think it is much better for women in Hollywood, but… There are still glass ceilings to be broken.
JC: You are still working insane hours. What keeps you saying “yes”?
AJ: Whatever I’m working on, it’s the community that gets made that never gets old. I embrace jumping into all the new people and relationships.
JC: Is there a role that still scares you? A character you haven’t been that calls to you?
AJ: I know there’s something else out there… the more complicated the woman, the more tempting. It has to have complexity, an arc, a journey. It has to start in one place and end up somewhere transformed — for better or worse.
JC: You are known for both drama and comedy. Do you approach them differently, or is it more about finding the truth in the moment?
AJ: Generally, in comedy, the stakes are high in a big way. They’re high in drama, too, but in a different way. I think the best work has both comedy and drama in a messy way.
JC: You balance a full life of work, family, and friends. What is your version of unplugged?
AJ: Vodka. [Laughter.]
JC: When people say “aging gracefully,” it’s often code for becoming invisible. But you are aging powerfully. What’s your secret weapon?
AJ: Well… let’s see… do we lie or tell the truth here?!!! No, honestly, keeping up with my fitness and staying strong physically to endure the rigors of this business matters to me. I work out a lot. The body is the vehicle, and I try to take care of it.
JC: What do you know now (at 65) that you wish you could whisper to yourself at age 35, mid-audition?
AJ: Don’t try to be what you think they want — be yourself… because that’s who they don’t know they want yet. Let them find you.
JC: What is something people still get wrong about you?
AJ: How uncomfortable I am in social situations.
JC: When you think of “lead role” or “awards,” how does that register with you?
AJ: I’m just happy to have made a career in this business that can be fickle and hard, and that I continue to work. I’m not acting for the awards or accolades, but they are nice.
JC: Final question, [I ask this feeling like it’s time to get out of Mom’s closet before she catches us goofing off] if 2025 Allison could give a toast to the Studio 54 era, the ’70s, what would she say?
AJ: Well done! Sorry, I wasn’t there for all the good drugs (LOL)… No, um… thanks, ’70s, for the sexual revolution and the march towards equality — for opening doors for women, and for the fashion we did it in!
JC: Thanks, dude. I love you.
AJ: Love you too.
This shoot was fantasy, yes. But it wasn’t fiction. It was a reflection of who Allison Janney is now: sharp, tireless, hilarious, and sexy — and let’s not pretend she isn’t still the one to watch!
Creative Direction by Jill Crosby and Robert Ascroft
Photographed by Robert Ascroft
Makeup by Marie Del Prete
Hair Stylist / Set / Production by Jill Crosby
Wardrobe Styling by Tara Swennen
Nails by Lisa Peña Wong
Male Model // Miles Thomas Nightingale
Cover style credit : Bodysuit by Commando, catsuit by Monica Ivena, shoes by Alevi Milano, and earrings by Etho Maria.
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Jill Crosby is a creative director, writer, and celebrity hairstylist known for shaping iconic looks and unforgettable narratives across film, television, and fashion. With more than two decades of experience collaborating with Hollywood’s most respected actors, she has built a reputation for blending artistry with authenticity, from red carpet transformations to editorial shoots that push creative boundaries.
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