Minnie Driver embraces authenticity on social media. On Friday, November 29, the actress shared two makeup-free selfies on Instagram, accompanied by a candid caption reflecting on her recent experiences.
“Okay, I’m pretty vain, so posting a picture without a scrap of makeup and untouched is rare,” Driver admitted.
“The only reason I’m doing it now is because I’ve been ill. I have felt every one of my years recently.” At 54, Driver credited her friend, Karen Bartov, with helping her feel confident enough to share such an unfiltered portrayal of herself.
In the post, Driver praised Bartov for her support. “I’m pretty astonished that my friend Keren can make me look like this,” she wrote. “Christmas glow without the five mulled wines. Love you, Keren, and thank you.”
The actress’s fans were quick to respond with praise. One follower encouraged the move, writing, “Normalize this. I look up to this.” Another fan chimed in, saying, “Not just saying this—you can do that more often! Rawr!! No makeup, feeling better (soon) – more of us!
Our perceptions have been skewed for centuries. I mean, yes, we’ve seen the power of makeup. But the power of a fresh face? Young or mature or older? It’s soul-affirming somehow, like, ‘Oh, I recognize you.’ Aren’t you stunning! ”
Earlier this month, Driver revealed she had been battling the flu and credited her partner, Addison O’Dea, for helping her through the illness. In a heartfelt Instagram post celebrating their six-year anniversary, she expressed gratitude for his care.
“All day long, he’s been sticking thermometers in my ear, setting timers for medication, sticking his head around the door, writing me cards, and making me food I can’t eat. ,” Driver wrote.
O’Dea shared his own tribute to commemorate the milestone, posting a series of photos of the couple, including moments with Driver’s 16-year-old son, Henry. “We go on adventures together, we share a brilliant rascal, have a demented dog, and I still wear flip-flops to most everything,” O’Dea wrote.
“Because this is, as I have discovered, true love: I don’t ever want her to be ‘more like me,’ and she does not expect me to be ‘more like her.’ All we expect is for each other to be ourselves and show love, grace, respect, and patience. Happy anniversary, Minnie. I love you just the way you are.”
Driver and O’Dea’s relationship began years after they first met at a party. Reconnecting in 2018 during efforts to deliver supplies to those in need amid the Malibu wildfires, the two found what Driver described as an “epic connection.” In a July 2024 interview with People, she recalled, “I could see what an amazing person he was from the minute I met him.”
