Dame Helen Mirren, 78, has been an emblem of grace and style on the red carpet since the late 1970s. She’s amazed the audience many times with her daring outfits and looks, but this time, she’s caught everyone’s attention in a whole new way. Many people were stunned when they saw a photo of the actress in her bikini on vacation in Italy.
She admits that this photo will ’haunt’ her for the rest of her life.
In 2008, Helen Mirren, at that time 63 years old, stunned the public with her bikini photoshoot. The photo quickly went viral. The Oscar-winning actress became something of a post-mid-life beauty symbol. Reflecting on the photo, Mirren expressed, “I think this thing will haunt me for the rest of my life,” as she was surprised to see this photo in all the major tabloids.
The actress also revealed she was just trying to look good for her husband, Taylor Hackford, “So we were there, swimming a little bit, lying in the sun, and Taylor said, ’Stand up, I want to take a picture of you.’ So I stood up and sucked my tummy in because my husband was taking my photo. I tried to suck my cheeks in. I tried to look good.”
This unexpected fame opened up some business opportunities for her.
Simon Mirren, Helen’s nephew, said that his aunt received a lot of business prospects but showed no interest in capitalizing on this photo. Simon recalled, “I begged her to turn us all into millionaires by marketing bikinis after everyone went wild over her fit bikini body but she said absolutely no. She won’t brand herself like that.”
It’s not the first time an actress has challenged age stereotypes.
The actress unveiled her “radical” hairstyle while promoting her role as Hespera, the villain in Shazam! Fury of the Gods. The actress acknowledged that after growing her hair, she kind of liked it and didn’t feel like cutting it.
During a recent TV appearance, Mirren challenged the fact that older women are discouraged from having long hair because it tends to thin with age. The actress refuted this notion, stating that there is a general belief that one should not have long hair after a certain age.
The Oscar-winning actress hasn’t had long hair since her twenties. She liked the way it looked and decided to keep it. “I thought, do you know what, it’s pretty cool, I think I’ll stick with it for a little while. It will come off eventually…but I’m kind of enjoying it, it’s quite radical,” the actress said.
Mirren also expressed her pride in representing women over 60, stating that creativity, passion, and energy do not stop unless one decides to stop them. “So it’s just self-motivated, really, and never give up. And find enjoyment, if it’s possible in your life,” she shared.
Dame Helen Mirren has also been vocal about defying beauty standards for older women, citing that her generation has been subject to ageism for too long. She also voiced her frustration with beauty products being marketed with 15-year-old models in a 2019 interview.
The actress has her own views on beauty too, and it’s refreshing to hear someone in the public eye acknowledge that the idea can be exclusionary and make people feel insecure about themselves. “They’ll think, ’Well, I’m not very beautiful. It’s all very well for all these beautiful women, but I don’t feel beautiful,’” she explained.
For Mirren, it’s important for everyone to feel confident and fabulous, regardless of their looks. “Being powerful is so much more interesting than being beautiful,” the actress has always thought.
On a different note, Mirren revealed that she performed her own stunts on the set of Shazam! Fury of the Gods. “I was incredibly brave and didn’t say anything or complain because I wanted to be a real ’stunty’ person,” the actress proudly shared.
It’s great to see actors who are dedicated to their craft and willing to take risks for their performances.
Demi Moore, 61, also fights stereotypes that older women shouldn’t wear bikinis in her latest video, but the public is divided.
What Catches Your Attention Right Away?
Optical illusions have long fascinated us because they draw our attention and pose intriguing questions that are occasionally left unanswered.
These arresting images not only grab our attention, but they also lead us on a deeply reflective journey that highlights the subtle differences in our perception.
Our exclusive collection of optical illusions will make you doubt who you think you are. They might share some enlightening details about your background and personality.
What catches your eye first?
This image is potent because it conveys your perspective of both the outside world and who you are. If you are the first person to notice a duck, you are probably a gregarious person who enjoys socializing. You are able to think fast, act fast, and perform effectively under duress.
If you are someone who believes that if you detect a rabbit at first, you should go for it slowly. This suggests that you would like carefully weigh your options before settling on a thought and are reluctant to commit to one.
When you want anything done right, you follow the right procedure. In addition, you are generally a more introverted person than other people. I guess I might characterize myself as an introvert. You place greater value on having a select few close friends than you do on having a vast social network.
Which is it? The Profiled Faces or the Vase?
This optical illusion was created by Danish psychologist and philosopher Edgar John Rubin to aid individuals in understanding their benefits and drawbacks. Having two faces increases your ability to notice even the smallest details and provides you with a natural understanding of a wide range of vocations.
If your attention was initially drawn to the vase, you are the type of person who tends to overlook the little things and is naturally drawn to the bigger picture.
An older man or a young woman?
One of two images may immediately register in your mind. You are a thorough examiner if you see the old man with the big nose peering down. You may find it difficult to apply your critical thinking skill because you have a tendency to overanalyze. This is primarily due to your exceptional emotional awareness and understanding.
The moment you spot the woman turning away, you get impetuous and want to get things done swiftly. You have a unique zest for life since your optimism complements your fearless demeanor.
Which woman—older or younger—do you believe she is?
Your perception of this image may change depending on your age. If you see the girl turning away, you are most likely still young. However, it appears from the older woman’s appearance that you have a great deal of life experience. A study that looked into this phenomenon was published in the academic journal Scholarly Reports.
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