Julia Roberts graces the cover of InStyle's November issue, stunning in a pink Giambattista Valli gown and Dior sneakers. Inside, she opens up to Oprah Winfrey about online cruelty, motherhood and marching for change. At 55, Julia has endured both the highs of stardom and lows of criticism in the public eye. However, her role as a mother to 18-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and 15-year-old Henry gives life deepest meaning. 

Gorgeous! Julia Roberts, 55, covers the November issuer of Harper's Bazaar

Julia shared her hurt upon receiving nasty comments after niece Emma Roberts posted a photo of them together. Despite her fame and success, cruel words still sting. She worries for young girls facing similar judgment and objectification.

'One weekend morning Emma slept over, and we got up and were having tea and playing cards and having this beautiful morning, and then a couple of days later she posted a picture of us.

'And the number of people who felt absolutely required to talk about how terrible I looked in the picture — that I’m not aging well, that I look like a man, why would she even post a picture like this when I look that terrible! 

'And I was amazed at how that made me feel. I’m a 50-year-old woman and I know who I am, and still my feelings got hurt. I was sad that people couldn’t see the point of it, the sweetness of it, the absolute shining joy of that photo. I thought, “What if I was 15?”'

Julia recognizes that true self-worth springs from within, not the approval of others. However, public feedback at a young age can be formative, highlighting the need for compassion. 

Girl talk: The star was interviewed by Oprah, and discussed her kids, social media, and the Women's March

Just mom: Julia, who scaled a cliff while wearing a very large ball gown for the shoot, said that her kids understand she's famous, but they don't really get how well-known she is

According to Julia, her children will never fully grasp her fame and its impact. They see her first as their mother, the woman who raised them with love, wisdom and humor. Her kids anchor Julia in the present and remind her of life's simple joys, keeping her grounded amid glamour and acclaim.

'I think I told you once when they were starting to figure it out,' she told Oprah. 'It was like, “You’re famous?”

'And I said, “I think a lot of people might have seen the movie that I’m in or might know who I am.” Maybe an hour goes by. “Are you more famous than Taylor Swift?”'

While Hazel sensed her parents' support of Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, Julia marched with her in the Women's March to affirm her voice and power to create change. Mother and daughter found shared purpose, joining with others to make their vision of a just world known.

Family: She shared how shocked she was at the cruelty of people online, which she experienced firsthand after he niece, Emma Roberts, posted a snap of them together

Shocking: 'The number of people who felt absolutely required to talk about how terrible I looked in the picture,' she said. 'And I was amazed at how that made me feel'

Julia's interview provides a glimpse into her private world, filled with normal moments of connection with loved ones away from cameras. Her story is a reminder that beneath public personas are people sharing universal experiences of love, joy, heartbreak and humanity. Julia's compassion, humor and insight reveal a woman embracing life in all its complexity with an open heart. 

Though fame ushered Julia onto the world stage, family remains her source of deepest contentment and meaning. The love she shares with Danny, Hazel, Phinnaeus and Henry lights her world from within. And in guiding them to lead lives of purpose and service, Julia imprints her lasting legacy. Her interview with InStyle offers wisdom from a woman aged gracefully through each season of life. While pink gowns fade, the beauty of her spirit endures—a light made lovelier through its ability to lift up others along the way.