Many people invest significant time and effort in the quest for eternal youth. This pursuit has now become a major inspiration for numerous cosmetic companies, beauty care brands, and even plastic surgeons. However, amid this quest are those like Joleen Diaz, a 46-year-old mother who bears an uncanny resemblance to her own daughter.
Joleen has a 23-year-old daughter.
Joleen Diaz, aged 46, and her 23-year-old daughter, Meilani Parks, took the internet by storm with astonishing Instagram photos. They appeared nearly identical while enjoying a day at the beach in their swimsuits.
Remarkably, despite a substantial 24-year age difference, these two California women are often mistaken for sisters. “While she was growing up, she often heard people tell me they thought my mother was my sister,” Joleen revealed. It appears this resemblance runs in the family.
Her youthful looks sometimes bring her trouble.
Joleen Diaz relocated to California at the age of 10, and she currently holds a position at an elementary school, teaching 3rd and 4th-grade students. In the past, she was married, and during this marriage, she became the mother of two children, Meilani Parks and Jordan. Joleen has lived as a single parent since parting ways with her husband.
Now, Joleen Diaz enjoys a notable presence on Instagram, and she frequently receives messages from younger men. Her remarkably youthful looks have led to instances where people reported her Hinge profile, suspecting it to be a fake account. “I’ve had my account deleted several times,” she said. “It’s funny, I think people think I’m a fake account and report me.”
According to Joleen, the internet has created a misleading image of her.
With over 600,000 Instagram followers, this stunning woman frequently shares her glamorous selfies and bikini snapshots. However, she wants people to see her true personality beyond these photos. She believes her social media doesn’t capture her simple, down-to-earth nature. She prefers to connect with someone first and then introduce them to her social media once they get to know her better because she wants to demonstrate that she’s not as glamorous as her online persona might make her seem.
Joleen is still waiting for love to enter her life.
Although younger men often show interest in Joleen on social media and dating apps, she prefers to leave the millennial guys for her daughter Meilani.
She clarified her stance by saying, “Age isn’t a deal-breaker for me, but I don’t want to date a toyboy. I would never even remotely consider dating someone who is young enough to be friends with my daughter.”
Joleen is in search of mature men who meet her criteria. She explained, “I gravitate toward ambitious, motivated men, someone who is confident, has a positive outlook, and can communicate well.” The mother-daughter duo intends to continue double dating until they both find their ideal partners.
They’re more than just mom and daughter.
Currently, the mother-daughter duo have profiles on several dating apps. They frequently engage in double dates and are interested in assessing each other’s potential partners.
Joleen explained, “When we see people, we often go bowling, to the movies, hikes, to the beach. Meilani asks for my advice on dating all the time. I love that she trusts in the advice I give. I feel like she’s well-balanced in dating, and I’m glad my experiences can help her out.”
Though there’s no definitive formula for retaining a youthful appearance indefinitely, some women have discovered effective practices that work for them, enabling them to preserve their beauty throughout the years.
She rose to fame on Dallas, take a moment to prepare yourself for her appearance today at 84
Linda Gray became a household name thanks to her role as Sue Ellen Ewing on the beloved soap opera Dallas. Over the course of more than 300 episodes, she not only showcased her incredible talent but also faced numerous personal challenges along the way. Today, at 84 years old, Gray continues to shine.
Throughout the history of film and television, we have witnessed remarkable performances by countless actors. Some portrayals resonate so deeply that it’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role. For instance, who could envision Little House on the Prairie without Michael Landon as Charles Ingalls or Mary Poppins without Dick Van Dyke as Bert? Similarly, Linda Gray’s portrayal of Sue Ellen is irreplaceable, and fans of the show are grateful she was cast in such a pivotal role.
Gray’s life has been nothing short of extraordinary, resembling a roller coaster filled with ups and downs. She has confronted life-threatening illnesses, addiction, and a challenging marriage. Despite these adversities, she has always emerged stronger, committed to making the most of her life and career.
Starring alongside Larry Hagman and Patrick Duffy on Dallas, Gray recently opened up about her experiences working with Hagman and the dynamic chemistry they shared on set.
Born on September 12, 1940, in Santa Monica, California, Gray faced a significant challenge in her childhood when she was diagnosed with polio. Her grandfather had also contracted the virus, leaving her family in distress. However, Linda maintained a surprisingly optimistic outlook during her own diagnosis. “They didn’t know what it was when he was 17, and he was always in a wheelchair”, she recalled. “When I was diagnosed, everyone went crazy in my family, but I wasn’t. I thought I could have a wheelchair like Grandpa.”
Growing up in Culver City, California, where her father owned a watchmaker shop, Linda was drawn to the performing arts from a young age. She often entertained her neighbors and even starred as Cinderella in a school production at Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles.
While her father provided a stable presence, he was emotionally distant. As Gray noted in her 2015 memoir, The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction, “He was just kind of there, like a piece of furniture”, and emotional discussions were off-limits. In contrast, her mother, Marge, a former artist and ballerina, struggled with alcoholism, leaving Linda and her sister to take charge of the household. “She wasn’t mean, she was just blurred, in her own world”, Gray wrote. This upbringing inspired Linda to pursue a different path, determined to avoid her mother’s fate.
With dreams of a career in medicine initially, Gray soon shifted her focus to acting, influenced by the Hollywood landscape surrounding her. She spent her teenage years modeling for various companies and airlines.
At 21, Linda married photographer Edward Lee Thrasher, but the marriage became a struggle. Her aspirations took a backseat as she became a wife and mother, welcoming son Jeff in 1960 and daughter Kehly six years later. Linda felt emotionally neglected, describing the marriage as “cold” and ultimately deciding to leave after 21 years.
Despite her husband’s disapproval of her pursuing acting, Gray took the plunge and began landing television commercials. She had minor roles in films like Under the Yum Yum Tree and Palm Springs Weekend but hit the jackpot when, at 27, she became Anne Bancroft’s body double for The Graduate poster (1967). Ironically, she later portrayed Mrs. Robinson in a 2001 stage adaptation of the same film.
In her memoir, Gray also shared a humorous rejection letter from Glamour magazine she received in the early 1960s, which she kept as a reminder of resilience. “It kicked me from behind, and made me want to go and do something”, she said.
Though she loved motherhood, the lack of a fulfilling career frustrated her. When she finally enrolled in acting classes, her husband dismissed the idea, suggesting she wait until their children were older. At 37, she forged ahead and trained alongside younger actors. It wasn’t long before she secured her first significant role as a guest star on Marcus Welby, M.D. in 1974.
The turning point came in 1978 when Gray was cast as Sue Ellen Ewing on Dallas. Initially meant to be a recurring role for just five episodes, her performance resonated with audiences and critics alike, leading to her becoming a series regular and turning her into a star.
Dallas, set against the backdrop of family rivalry and scandal at Southfork Ranch, showcased Gray’s exceptional talent. Her chemistry with Larry Hagman was palpable, but she clarified that it stemmed from a sibling-like bond. “He was the bad big brother that I never had”, she explained. Their dynamic translated beautifully on-screen, captivating both the network executives and viewers alike.
The show broke numerous viewing records, becoming one of the most-watched television series in history. The iconic episode revealing who shot J.R. Ewing drew an estimated 80 million viewers, a record that stood until surpassed by MASH*.
For her role, Gray received two Golden Globe nominations and an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. After divorcing Ed Thrasher in 1983, her son Jeff pursued a career in directing and earned an Emmy nomination in 2018. Tragically, he passed away in 2020 after battling leukemia. Gray honored him on Instagram, celebrating his life and the love he shared with those around him.
Throughout her tenure on Dallas, Gray appeared in 308 episodes. Following the show’s conclusion, she continued to work in television and reprised her role as Sue Ellen in the 2012 revival of Dallas, which aired for two seasons. She received a Special Award at the 2014 USA Film Festival, further cementing her legacy.
Now, at 84, Linda Gray remains as stunning as ever. She has navigated many challenges, from her childhood struggles to her difficult marriage and the loss of her son. Through it all, she has learned to transform adversity into resilience.
We admire her strength and wish her continued success in the years to come! Feel free to share this inspiring story with your family and friends.
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