et’s face it — the universe really threw women a curveball with this one. ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ star Katherine Heigl, never one to sugarcoat real life, is calling out the chaos of raising teenagers while navigating perimenopause.
(Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)In a refreshingly honest interview with Business Insider, the ’27 Dresses’ star, 46, opened up about the hormonal rollercoaster she’s been riding.
She spoke about learning to laugh, cope, and power through it all.
Katherine Heigl Says Navigating Perimenopause While Raising Teen Girls Is the Ultimate Hormonal Challenge
“Whoever designed it so that women would be going through perimenopause while raising teenagers should be sent a strongly worded letter,” joked Heigl, while talking to Business Insider.
Katherine shares daughters Naleigh, 15, Adalaide, 13, and son Joshua, 8, with husband Josh Kelley.
Describing it as “really difficult,” Heigl explained that her journey through perimenopause has overlapped with her daughters’ adolescence — a double whammy of fluctuating hormones.
“Their hormones are all over the place, they’re trying to adapt and get used to their new bodies and their new ways of thinking, and I am too,” she said. “So the only thing I can do is look at them and go, ‘Well, at least we’re in it together.’”
How Katherine Heigl Found Her Peace in Utah After Years of Hustling in Hollywood
Heigl also opened up about why she left the hustle of Los Angeles behind. In a separate interview, she spoke with Hoda & Jenna on Today. She shared how she found peace living in Utah with her family.
“I think some people are mountain people and some people are beach people,” she said. “I’m a mountain person. We went out to L.A. when I was 17 and hustled and hustled… and I think [my mom] realized I needed somewhere to escape to and ground myself.”
What initially began as a vacation home quickly became their forever place. “We built these houses in Utah… and then my husband made it his primary residence on his driver’s license. We went, ‘Yeah, I think we live here now,’” Heigl said with a laugh.
How Katherine Draws Strength From the Women in Her Life
Heigl also credited her mom for supporting her through both her Hollywood journey and personal transitions.
The actress emphasized the importance of having people who ground you, especially when raising a family and navigating personal health changes.
“She took time away from her beautiful ranch in Utah to come hang out with us today,” said co-host Jenna Bush Hager during the Today show appearance.
While the timing isn’t exactly ideal, Heigl is embracing the chaos of perimenopause and parenting teens, with a sense of humor and solidarity.
