Lisa Ray at 54: '70s folk, old skinny jeans, no Taylor Swift'
Synopsis
Lisa Ray's viral '54 and thriving' video is less a lifestyle post and more a manifesto — a deliberate rejection of anti-ageing culture, Gen Z slang, and trend-chasing, delivered by an actress who has survived blood cancer and built a career on her own terms. In a feed full of curated perfection, it landed differently.
Key Takeaways
Lisa Ray shared a viral video on 6 June celebrating being 54 and unapologetically herself.
She declared preferences for 70s folk music , Fellini films , bare feet, and old skinny jeans over current trends.
Ray explicitly said she does not listen to Taylor Swift and rejects Gen Z slang like 'delulu'.
She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2009 and has spoken openly about the experience shaping her outlook.
Ray married Jason Dehni in 2012 ; the couple became parents to twin daughters via surrogacy in 2018 .
Actress Lisa Ray has gone viral for a candid video in which she celebrates turning 54 on her own terms — championing 70s folk music, vintage skinny jeans, and unapologetic self-acceptance over trending aesthetics and social media culture. The post, shared on 6 June, has resonated widely for its refreshingly counter-trend message.
What Lisa Ray Said
In the video, Ray listed her preferences with disarming honesty: 'I love 70s folk, I don't listen to Taylor Swift, I say delusional not delulu, I started yoga 25 years ago I love my age, decades of moments, I prefer Fellini to Marvel movies, I cry…a lot.'
She continued: 'Don't call me your bro. Bare feet over heels. I love Annie's Song, My Sweet Lord, You've Got a Friend. I have well loved droopy breasts that I don't want to lift. I love old skinny jeans. I wear bathing caps in the pool.'
Signing off, she wrote: 'Not kicking it old school. No hashtags. Nothing to sell. Just being me. You don't need to be in step with the times. You need to be in step with yourself. #54andthriving.'
A Career Defined by Authenticity
Lisa Ray began her modelling career in India in the early 1990s and made her acting debut in 1994 with the film Hanste Khelte. She went on to earn critical acclaim for issue-driven roles, most notably in the 2005 Oscar-nominated Canadian film Water and the award-winning South African feature The World Unseen.
She was most recently seen in 99 Songs, directed by Vishwesh Krishnamoorthy, alongside Ehan Bhat, Edilsy Vargas, Aditya Seal, and Manisha Koirala — a film centred on art, identity, and self-discovery.
Personal Life and Health Journey
In 2009, Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer — a battle she has spoken about publicly and which has shaped her perspective on ageing and self-worth. She married management consultant Jason Dehni in 2012, and in 2018 the couple announced the birth of their twin daughters via surrogacy.
Why the Post Struck a Chord
Ray's video arrives at a moment when social media is saturated with aspirational anti-ageing content and trend-chasing. Her deliberate rejection of Gen Z slang ('delulu'), mainstream pop culture (Taylor Swift, Marvel), and cosmetic correction resonates as a quiet but pointed pushback. Notably, she framed the post with no product endorsement and no call to action — a rarity in influencer-dominated digital spaces.
Point of View
A post with 'nothing to sell' is itself a statement. Her rejection of body-correction norms, delivered without moralising, carries more weight given her cancer history. The mainstream coverage will focus on the Taylor Swift line; the more interesting angle is what the post says about how Indian public figures are slowly reclaiming ageing as identity rather than liability.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Lisa Ray say in her '54 and thriving' video?
Lisa Ray shared a video listing her personal preferences — including a love of 70s folk music, old skinny jeans, and Fellini films — while rejecting trends, Gen Z slang, and social media culture. She said, 'You don't need to be in step with the times. You need to be in step with yourself.'
Why did Lisa Ray's post go viral?
The post resonated because it was a candid, product-free rejection of anti-ageing pressure and trend-chasing, rare in influencer-heavy digital spaces. Ray's openness about her body and age, combined with her cancer survival background, gave the message unusual authenticity.
What is Lisa Ray known for in her acting career?
Lisa Ray is known for issue-driven roles, including the 2005 Oscar-nominated Canadian film Water and the award-winning South African feature The World Unseen. She debuted in the 1994 Hindi film Hanste Khelte and was most recently seen in 99 Songs.
What health challenge has Lisa Ray spoken about publicly?
In 2009, Lisa Ray was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable form of blood cancer. She has spoken openly about her diagnosis and treatment, and it has informed her public perspective on health, ageing, and self-acceptance.
Is Lisa Ray married and does she have children?
Yes. Lisa Ray married management consultant Jason Dehni in 2012. In 2018, the couple announced they had become parents to twin daughters via surrogacy.
