Hilarie Burton Morgan Says Going Gray Is Actually Bringing Her A Ton Of Enjoyment
Hilarie Burton Morgan's been on TV for more than half her life—first as a VJ on MTV’s Total Request Live, then as an actor, playing roles like Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill. Yet her latest small-screen endeavor marks perhaps her biggest career pivot to date—and it’s one that’s close to her roots and her heart.
Hilarie recalls being fixated on justice when she was growing up. That led her to study forensic psychology in college. She considered law school, but Hollywood won out. Fast-forward to 2021: Spurred by a story in her own community (a woman was convicted of second-degree murder for killing her allegedly abusive partner), Hilarie merged interests in one important project—True Crime Story: It Couldn’t Happen Here, which investigates cases of injustice and inequality in small towns.
14: The number of cases True Crime Story has reexamined (with one exoneration so far)
Pursuing multiple passions with confidence—be it producing a TV show or writing her forthcoming book, Grimoire Girl—is an essential way Hilarie nourishes her soul. “Imposter syndrome tells us that if you don’t have a PhD in something, don’t even talk about it,” the 40-year-old says. “I call bullshit on that. We should be curious about as many things as possible, because we get one go-around and that’s it.”
Here's how Hilary has stayed grounded throughout her career:
Age Your Way
“There’s an expectation that when you play a teen, you’ll be a teen forever. I have taken perhaps too much enjoyment in going gray and turning my nose up at that sentiment.”
Seek Out Beauty Around You
“We can infuse magical thinking into our everyday activities, so that we aren’t machines going through chores and work but, rather, living enchanted lives.”
This article originally appeared in the March 2023 issue of Women's Health. Sign up for our WH+ memberships program to subscribe, score unlimited site access, and unlock our exclusive guides and fitness challenges.
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