by Cara Smithers

Created on: September 23, 2008   Last Updated: November 01, 2008

Article Title: Fifty is Still Sexy: A Star Struck Phenomena in 2008

Since 50 has become the new 40, and stunning older women continually steal the spotlight, being 50 has never been so hip. There aren't many good roles for women over 40 in Hollywood, but you'd never know it from their overwhelming presence among the nominees and presenters at the 60th annual Emmy Awards. Carrie Fisher, 52, was among the presenters and is best known for her role as Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy. It wasn't only the presenters that stole the show. Women over 40 dominated the acting categories at the Emmy Award nominations. In fact, only one actress nominated for an Emmy was in her 20s: 24-year-old "Ugly Betty" star America Ferrera, for lead actress in a comedy series. Almost all of this year's Emmy-nominated actresses were 40 years of age or older, with many in their 50s and some in their 60s. Anjelica Huston, 57, was among those actresses nominated for her guest-starring role on "Medium."

This public spectacle is not an isolated incident or a rare coincidence to be tied to female television stars in their fifties alone. Women in their fifties are apart of a star struck phenomena in 2008 that does not seem to be stopping anytime soon.

The Sex and the City blockbuster released in May 2008 has Oscar award promise for all four stars including Kim Catrall, 52. If Kim Catrall can still rock a steamy sexpot on the big screen there is something to be said for today's fifty-year old. She reappeared in the Sex and the City movie dating a man more than half her age and not losing an ounce of her diva luster. Kim Catrall showed up with her usual tight dresses, flashy jewelry and uncontrollable sexual appetite as if she had not missed a beat. The response from viewers was well-received and not a single critic even flinched at her typical behavior. It didn't matter that she was 52, she was "Samantha", and that was her character regardless of her age. Does that same idea transfer into a real world perception Is age truly just a number?

On May 1, 2008 Madonna debuted her "Hard Candy" tour in New York's club Roseland to over 2200 fans. She appeared in black leather and chained to a chair with Justin Timberlake, 27, at her side. Her chiseled hard body was evident through her revealing ensemble and she came to the show ready to give a very physical performance, which included some dirty dancing with Timberlake. This is nothing unusual for the sexually expressive pop queen, but the distinguishing factor is that Madonna turned 50 this year and is still as strong of a sex symbol as she was in her younger years. Justin Timberlake is also nearly half her age and the crowd could not have been happier with the combination.

The 50-ness phenomena is one that has spanned across every entertainment industry in 2008 with one common theme 50 is still sexy. Fifty is more fabulous than ever and stars are celebrating it all over Hollywood. Also, older women have proven just as capable of snagging a younger man and it seems to be a growing trend. So if 50 is truly the new 40, then ladies have a lot more living to do before its time to settle down on the lazy boy and read that old novel that's been collecting dust. According to the actions of these stars, they should probably go shopping for a new flirty red dress and take up salsa dancing instead!

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