The Daily Beast’s interview begins by asking whether Susan Sarandon will go back to Burning Man this year, where she’s been in the past and where she indulged in mushrooms, among other things she’s tried (but no chemicals, please).

And she says, “No, because my daughter’s baby is due around then, so…”

And you go, oh right, this woman who sounds so wise and insightful and has had all these lives is basically my mom’s age.

Maybe it shouldn’t be incongruous, but you know it is. Sarandon, in response to a question about about May-December relationships, is all yeah, I get it, and I’ve done it, but also no.  She wastes no time and cringes not at all when asked about why she has issues with Woody Allen, explaining:

“I think he really tore that family apart in a way that was horrible, and hasn’t really dealt with the aftermath...and I think it was very hard for the siblings, and certainly for Mia. You just don’t go there.”

Then she talks about her life in New York – in a way that really makes you believe she lives in New York and participates and cares and spends a lot of her time NOT being Susan Sarandon, you know? She is articulate about the decriminalization of marijuana, but not all Woo! Yeah! Everybody must get stoned! The woman is measured and calm. Sounds happy and successful and contented, but not squealy or overly enthusiastic - although I think the interviewer spent too long trying to get her to say something significant about Brad Pitt.

Lainey says “she gives me hope”. I say, what are the requirements to be this cool and open and interesting at 67? I mean, on a base level, she is prolifically successful (to the point where I wonder what it’s like for her kids, especially her daughter the actress who’s been in many many films with her). That maybe gives you the freedom to look around and explore things and not be so worried about accomplishing things. 

Then, she’s had some pretty interesting significant relationships. Chris Sarandon and Louis Malle and Bowie and Eva Amurri’s father Franco Amurri and Tim Robbins and maybe some others. I mean, it must obviously give you some perspective on the world to be intimately involved with people who are phenomenally successful for a long period of time.

So has she cultivated being this cool and tuned in, or does it come naturally? Is it just a function of not living in LA? I am kind of into New York politics as a weird hobby and her De Blasio comments ring pretty true.   

And then, too, she doesn’t seem to be all that obsessed with being thought of as cool. Yeah, she’s done Ayahuasca but she’s also not worried about trying to appeal to a younger demographic or not playing mothers or anything that indicates a whiny clinging to youth. It’s almost unsettlingly cool.

I mean, if I aim to be like her now, can I get there in the next 35 years or so? Is it possible?

Click here to read the full interview.