Posted by Adam

Wednesday December 8, 2010

DAME Helen Mirren thinks her looks are “bloody irrelevant”.

The 65-year-old actress — who is often highlighted as one of the most beautiful Hollywood actresses — is a “bit cross” so much is made of her looks because it means women feel pressured into always appearing their best.

Asked how it makes her feel to be a beauty role model in her 60s, she said, “A bit cross, actually. We have to let go of this c**p. It creates even more pressure on women, and I certainly don’t want to be a part of that. I’m not beautiful; I clean up nice.

“Why don’t we talk about the fact, for example, that I just did ‘Arthur’, and the cinematographer was a woman, the film operator was a woman, the whole camera team were women? That’s where we should be putting our attention. The fact that I look good at the age I am is bloody irrelevant.”

Despite being lauded as a beautiful star, the British Oscar-winner reveals her background did not indicate she would end up an actress.

“My father was born in Russia and came to England when he was two years old. So in a sense, I grew up the daughter of an immigrant. My parents had a love of the arts, but they came from a lower-income background. My father was a taxicab driver in my early days,” she said.

“Around about 13 or 14, I decided that I wanted to be an actress. I knew I wanted to engage in the world of the imagination, but it was not economically feasible for me to study acting, so I went to a teachers’ training college.”

Tags: helen mirren