'I have all the love in the world but I'm celibate' - Stranger Things star Linda Hamilton shares reasons for giving up sex

About to find herself known to a new generation of fans with her role in the Duffer Brothers' epic saga, Linda opens up about the personal decision to abstain

Linda Hamilton attends the "Stranger Things 5" UK Special Screening at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square
(Image credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Well known to older TV audiences for the iconic role of Sarah Connor in the Terminator franchise, Linda Hamilton is about to find herself with legions of fans of all ages with her role in Stranger Things season 5.

As volume 1 of the final instalment of the Duffer Brothers' epic retro saga airs on Netflix from November 26, Linda stars as Dr. Kay. A military scientist taking over from Dr Brenner, her character is set to bring a "ruthless" agenda to Hawkins.

She first opened up about her abstinence to The New York Times in 2019. "I love my alone time like no one you’ve ever met," she told the publication.

Linda added that she thought she'd been celibate for "at least 15 years" at the time, but lost track because "it just doesn’t matter." She continued to say, "I have a very romantic relationship with my world every day and the people who are in it."

"When I broke up with Jim, I was completely devastated for years," she said. “But I’m so glad to be free of that. I would never, ever put that much energy again into something that is not working," she added.

James Cameron and Linda Hamilton arrive at the 55th Annual Golden Globes Awards Show, January 18, 1998

(Image credit: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty Images)

In the run-up to the release of Stranger Things season 5, Linda was asked whether her decision to remain celibate might resonate with the show's Gen Z audience, who are also reportedly turning to abstinence as a lifestyle choice.

Although she believes "opinions are killing the world," and her "certain beliefs" are "specific" to her, she still offered thoughts on her decision.

"I'm at my best and happiest, and my life is rich with all things, flora, fauna, babies, neighbours, trials, tribulations, pain, you know what I mean," she told The Telegraph.

Linda continues, "So for me, it works, and I have no regrets that I go to bed alone at night."

Not quite alone, as her dogs, Gladys and Wilma, go with her. "You have to touch and stroke something, you know what I mean," she explains, with humour.

"But I have all the love in the world. Every day. And I'm celibate," she finishes when explaining how living without sex makes her feel.

Linda also explains how "liberated" she feels to have "gotten through" the years where impossible beauty standards were expected of her. Even when they were expected, she rebelled against them anyway.

"I haven't worn makeup my entire life. I do it when I'm working, but I do not do it in my life," she shares.

"If I look a bit tired, it's like, hey, I'm 69, I get to look tired, you know? It's very freeing," she adds.

Stranger Things season 5, Volume 1 airs on Netflix from November 26th.

Lucy Wigley
Entertainment Writer

Lucy is a multi-award nominated writer and blogger with seven years’ experience writing about entertainment, parenting and family life. Lucy worked as a freelance writer and journalist at the likes of PS and moms.com, before joining GoodtoKnow as an entertainment writer, and then as news editor. The pull to return to the world of television was strong, and she was delighted to take a position at woman&home to once again watch the best shows out there, and tell you why you should watch them too.

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