Rebecca Hall Shares Her Thoughts on Self-Care, Wellness Rituals, and Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Beauty’
British actress Rebecca Hall takes center stage in the provocative narrative of beauty as she stars in FX’s latest series, The Beauty. Though the series concluded earlier this month, its themes resonate far beyond the final episode.
“It just sounded like the most Ryan Murphy show of all,” Hall remarked, captivated by its compelling premise—a “fountain of youth” drug that comes at a significant cost. While her career has long grappled with the intricacies of beauty, she sees this series not as a change in perspective, but rather a refinement, describing it as “the right show for the right time,” especially amid evolving technologies that challenge our notions of physical possibility.
Off-screen, Hall embraces a more grounded approach to beauty. She engages in simple, restorative practices—unplugged baths, dry brushing, and meditation—that serve as a counterbalance to the intensity of her career. This reflects her belief that beauty, like her work, is “a living thing that’s always on the move.”
Reflecting on her experience, Hall shared, “I feel I had a unique experience. Before I even read the script, Ryan Murphy took me to breakfast and described to me the show’s plot and world. It was one of those peculiar pinch yourself moments because it just sounded like the most Ryan Murphy-sounding show of all Ryan Murphy shows, and there was Ryan describing it to me.” She noted Murphy’s keen sense of the zeitgeist, emphasizing, “He has such a nose for the zeitgeist and for honing in on what everyone wants to watch. It just felt so impossibly of the moment.”
Addressing society’s current obsession with beauty, Hall stated, “These are things I try to think about fairly rigorously given the industry I’m in. I don’t know that it particularly shifted how I think about it as much as it focused my attention. It’s the right show for the right time.” She acknowledged that while it may seem naive to assume contemporary society is more obsessed with beauty than in the past, today’s technological advancements present unique possibilities that simply weren’t available before.
Hall further commented on the dangers of seeking beauty externally, suggesting, “Chasing beauty from an external source is endless and dangerous… It’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to disentangle your own innate sensibility from whatever social conditioning you’ve had, so, you know. Much to discuss.”
She elaborated on her view of beauty, stating, “No, I think it’s cumulative, and like anything smart it’s not looking to deliver you a message as much as present you with a lot of stuff to chew on.”
Hall concluded, saying, “Honestly, Ryan asked me to be myself. Keep my accent. Make jokes, have fun. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to do that.” She hopes to continue choosing roles that align with her evolving definition of beauty, describing it as “a living thing that’s always on the move.”
As Hall navigates her intense roles, she relies on simple rituals to reset. “I’m a devoted bath person. For me, it’s less about pampering and more about creating a quiet pause in the day.” She revealed that these moments include turning off distractions and enjoying a calm environment with soft candlelight.
With ongoing renovations in her home, Hall expressed her aspiration to incorporate a sauna into her space, underscoring her commitment to wellness. Whether traveling or experiencing jet lag, she has adopted the MMSkincare MMSphere2Go as part of her self-care routine, describing it as more than a beauty gadget—it’s a small ritual that helps her unwind and regain balance in her hectic life.
