By Sylvia Powers
Correspondent
Actress, producer, and entrepreneur Vivica A. Fox took center stage at the Ultimate Women’s Expo in Irving, delivering a candid, spirited, and deeply personal message to hundreds of women about resilience, self-worth, and embracing life at every age.
A Journey of Highs and Lows
Fox began by reminding the audience that living your best life is not a destination, but a journey.
“Trust me, I know all about it,” she said. “I have good days, I have bad days. There are days I want to tell people, ‘leave me alone,’ but I can’t—because I know God wants me to keep moving, keep producing, keep living.”
Reflecting on her recent 61st birthday, Fox proudly declared that she feels more confident and fulfilled than ever before. “They try to tell us as women that when we get older, we have no value. Wrong! At 61, I’m the happiest, the most peaceful, and the richest I’ve ever been—but it took a journey to get here.”
Lessons From the Spotlight
The actress spoke openly about the challenges she’s faced in Hollywood and business, including being teased when she transitioned to Lifetime or launched her successful hair collection. “People said, ‘She’s no longer a movie star, she’s on Lifetime.’ They didn’t realize Lifetime turned me into a filmmaker. Period. I’ve done over 50 films with them.”
She also connected with the standing room only crowd by sharing the recent experiences of tennis player Taylor Townsend, who faced harsh criticism after a win. “I can relate to that. I’ve been teased throughout my career. But what I learned is accountability—you must take responsibility for your actions, good or bad. When you can look in the mirror and love the woman you’re becoming, that’s powerful.”
The Power of “No”
Fox didn’t shy away from humor while offering life lessons. She told the audience that, as women, their nurturing nature often leaves them drained by others who take advantage of their giving spirit. “I had to learn to pluck some people off of me. And I learned a beautiful word—‘No.’ No is a complete sentence. When I say no, I mean it.”
Sisterhood and Self-Care
Fox also emphasized the importance of women supporting one another. “We’re winning because we’re sticking together,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to walk up to another sister and ask, ‘What do you do?’ Coming out today is support.”
She encouraged women to take time for themselves—whether at the spa, over lunch, or simply by putting their phones down. “Enjoy the simple things. Take yourself to lunch. Sit at the bar, have a meal, have a drink. Women, we work so hard. Why not enjoy life?”
Living Your Best Life
Fox closed her talk with an empowering reminder: “Ladies, know that your girl Vivica A. Fox wants you to live your best life.”
Sylvia Powers is an award winning author, accomplished writer, gifted photographer, and nationally recognized breast cancer advocate with a deep passion for empowering others
