Supernatural Botanicals

Robin Feltner and Diane Keaton.

Smart Talk Connected Conversations brought the fabulous Diane Keaton to the Aronoff Center in Cincinnati last night.  What a night!  To my surprise, she didn’t wear her signature hat or gloves.  In fact, she said she’s over the gloves at this point.  She still likes them, but is outgrowing that look.

Physically, Diane Keaton is very tall and willowy.  In the picture above, I’m at least 5′ 9.5″ in peep toe pumps….and she’s taller than me.  She was wearing a black jacket with pearl necklace, a fabulous Prada floral skirt with leggings under the skirt.   Diane walks in the room, and the dynamics change.  There’s something about her that’s electric, it’s palpable.  Her very presence commands your attention.  She certainly possesses movie star quality.

Diane on her first love: You guessed it….Woody Allen.

Diane on her celeb crushes… “Al Pacino, although he didn’t feel the same way.”

Diane on being a cougar, and which is better to kiss, a younger or older man? Diane likes kissing them all!  She says she feels blessed to have kissed so many leading men in her career.   She thinks they are all great (and who can blame her?)  She admits she had a particular fondness for a very young Mel Gibson.

Diane on the toughest director she’s ever worked with: Without hesitation, Diane says “Warren Beatty!”  She dated Warren and felt it difficult to transition from boss to girlfriend with him.  She said he’s very demanding, and required multiple shots for every scene.

Diane on her favorite movie: Diane is not big on watching herself on the big screen.  She claims she doesn’t have a favorite movie, but appreciates what each one brings.  For instance, Something’s Gotta Give, with Jack Nicholson, is a rebel cry for older women and sexuality.  She loves that!

Diane on quotes on aging from her friends: Diane said Meryl Streep once said to her, “I’ve got to tell you something, honey, we both look like shit” in reference to aging.

Diane on her biggest failure:  “Hanging Up”, in which she directed.  (editorial note…I just couldn’t disagree more.  I loved this movie, and adored her style in this movie!)

Diane on her fashion style: Diane says her iconic fashion style is attributed to her sense of “never wanting to be ordinary.”

Diane on her hobbies: Diane is a preservationist and loves to rehab homes.  In fact, she has written a book on Spanish Colonial and Mission Style houses, called California Romantica.

Diane on her earliest influences: Doris Day.  Diane says Doris Day was her inspiration to be famous.  Diane broke into song when she learned that Doris Day actually grew up right here in Cincinnati.

Diane on colleagues she admires: The woman at the top of Diane’s list is Meryl Streep.  She say’s “Meryl has something magical going on, she’s amazing, just amazing.”

Diane on dressing for your age: Diane says, “When you are a certain age, cover up, cover it all up” joking about her love of turtle necks and long skirts.

My thanks to Diane Keaton and Smart Talk Connected Conversations for such a fantastic night!

Step off, Demi Moore!  As it turns out, Demi is not the original cougar.  It seems older women have been crushing on younger men far longer than we may have thought.  Did you know that Weezy, from the Jeffersons, was 21 years older than George in real life?

Additionally, we had a little cougar-ism going on over at Good Times as well.  Florida was 19 years older than her TV hubby, James, in real life.

Meow!  Team Cougars!