Helen Mirren Gets Naked for New York Magazine
June 22, 2010 in Celebrity Quotes, Helen Mirren by Versus
Helen Mirren is 65 years old and guess what, she’s pretty… naked in the new issue of New York Magazine.
Here’s a little quote from the interview:
Mirren on the younger generation: “I’m thrilled young girls are claiming their sexuality for themselves,” she says. “I love bold women: Madonna and Scarlett Johansson—sexy and gorgeous, but not only that. And Miley Cyrus—fantastic! And Lady Gaga. I love the way she’s elevated pop to performance art, or dragged performance art down to pop, or maybe made a wonderful amalgam of the two.” With her coy smile, Mirren looks like the conspiring queen who’s usurped the throne, securing the kingdom for her heirs: “My girls: Miley, Scarlett, Lady Gaga. My team … Yes.”
See one more after the jump!
that’s pretty courageous!
Yeah, kudos to her for doing this. I’m not quite sure about the photo shoot, though. I think she looks good for her age but I still feel that those pictures are not artsy enough. They look a little like something that’s been leaked on the internet.
Agreed.
Okay, I love this. She’s not sexy to me in those pictures, but they are really great – hey, I just found out that the photographer was Jürgen Teller, whom I admire! He also took beautiful photographs of Lily Cole and Charlotte Rampling. So, miss polyglot, you are definitely right, the pictures do look a little like something that’s been leaked on the internet, that’s his style/his way of being artsy.
I think that a whole new culture is currently evolving, and I’m really curious what’s going to happen. I am from Germany, where the older part of the population is constantly growing, and we already had a movie in the cinemas called “cloud nine” about love and sex among people in their seventies.
Jaja.. die ständig alternde Bevölkerung ist ja nicht nur in Deutschland ein Thema. Ich wusste nicht, dass die Fotos von Jürgen Teller sind, aber das erklärt zumindest einiges. Trotzdem gefällt mir persönlich diese Art von Fotografie nicht, aber das muss ja jeder selber wissen, stimmts?
Auf jeden Fall! Ehrlich gesagt kam ich erst durch Deinen Kommentar darauf, nachzugucken, ob die Fotos von ihm sind – freu mich enorm, hier überraschend einer Landsmännin zu begegnen
oh! Ich liebe Deutsch! Es ist eine Sprache, die unterschätzt wird.
hoffe Sie gewinnen den World Cup in diesem Jahr
did i totally suck now? entschuldigung if my german was bad
i studied it between age 12-16.
i prefer to listen, speak and read it instead of writing it
No, you didn’t… but I am actually not sure about the World Cup. Do you really like the German language? A friend from Australia told me he doesn’t, because it sounds as if we constantly yell at each other…
Viele Grüsse
Absolut perfekt Lovisa !Und Rosina ich glaube es gibt mehr deutschsprachige hier als man denkt ;D.
ich kann es lesen und es verstehen wohl, aber Schreiben verlässt mich.
as you can tell…
Wow Lovisa! Danke für die guten Wünsche!
Tonight’s the match against Ghana, and we HAVE to win it, I’m so excited!
Ich bin auch ne Deutsche. ^^
yey 1-0
Schade, dass Serbien nicht weiter verfolgt 
i agree. i think that everyone has their own opinion of art.
Also it is her body she can determine what she wants to do with it. no one is forcing you to look.
I just finished watching “Cloud Nine” and I thought that it was a movie that would never get made in America. People here like to pretend that nobody gets older, and if they do age, well they’re DEFINITELY not sexual, lol!
I loved the movie, and I love Helen Mirren.
yey! yes, of course i like it
maybe it’s because im swedish and we’re in the same language group? and i’ve spent many great summers in germany so that could be one reason too
That’s actually kind of true. Then again, you can’t really deny their authenticity, now can ya?
I don’t like the shoot, And it has nothing to do with her age. I adore her and I think she looks amazing has this “it” factor
good for her. she reminds me a lot of my grandmother body-wise and personality-wise.
i think she’s great…and i think what she said is great
i find it annoying that womens sexuality has been repressed in the past and now that it’s coming out people are making a fuss…,HELLO!? men do what they want and we as women should right for the same
holy cow i sound like the “lets burn our bras” type
Why are some women so scared to come across as a feminist?! Everyone who supports the idea of equal rights for men and women and who is against sexism and gender-based discrimination is one. I don’t understand why it has to be associated with something unpleasant, unattractive all the time.
I agree with this. nothing wrong with wanting equal rights for everyone.
Well, in my mind I separate “wanting equal rights” from feminism. A feminist in my view is someone who takes equal rights to the extreme, and in effect reincarnates the egotistical “i-think-i’m-better-than-women” male that they hate so much.
Honestly, the way to get treated equally is to prove that we are equal, not to march around and whine until we get a payraise.
But that is why I think feminism is associated with something bad – it’s the few people that take it too far and get themselves on the news.
It’s really just the association, not the actual meaning of the word, you can look up a proper definition.
May I remind you that it was the women who “marched around and whined” as you so indelicately put it, which paved the path for you to have the rights that you do today, including voting and receiving pay similar to a man’s pay.
I don’t understand, how do you take equal rights to the extreme? You want equal pay for equal work; the same opportunity for education; the right to be free from lawful domestic violence (remember until the late 1970′s it was legal in most states for a man to hit his wife as long as he did not use an implement “thicker than his thumb”); you want access to birth control; you want to control your medical care without it having to be signed off by your father or spouse (remember until 1965 it was legal in most states for a man to authorize a hysterectomy, lobotomy and everything in between for his wife or minor daughter, often over her objection); you want the right to decide whether to consent to sexual intercourse even if you are married (remember that in most states a man could not “rape” his wife even if they were living apart); you want the right to vote; you want the right to travel; you want the right to sit on juries; you want the right to hold elected office; you want the right to own land… So exactly what right is TOO MUCH? TOO EQUAL?
You really just don’t like the means some people have selected to insure those rights for themselves and for you. You really are just scared of being called a “witch” or “feminazi” or a “lesbian” or “ugly”. I’m with the other poster. Get over it. Admit you ARE a feminist and lead by example of how you think real women with real equal rights out to act.
I’m tired of women like you who won’t allow themselves to be called “feminist” because feminists aren’t “nice”. You can be nice and be a feminist. The idea that you can’t is just propaganda put out by people who want to insure that the goals of feminism fail by making the club too unpopular to join.
You said it perfectly.
I think there is a difference between a feminist and a feminazi who uses feminism as a veil to fight for women to have more rights and men to have less. I’ve read about them blowing up centres for men (I think it was for abused men who are afraid to tell the police and so on what has happened because they might not be taken seriously or even laughed at).
Women like that give feminism a bad name.
This is for the poster one down.
You proved my point. Women are afraid of admitting they are feminists because people will think they are “radical”. And that radical label was made up by people who want to prevent us from moving forward.
And I double, no triple dog dare you to provide a link where women blew up a shelter providing services for men, especially men seeking assistance for domestic violence. In fact I dare you to provide a link to any reputable new source showing women committing organized acts of violence towards men in order to oppress men.
Why are you defensive? The point of my post was to agree with you…
True feminists believe in equal rights for men & women. The type of women who would put bombs in centres for men do not want equal rights, they want better rights. Therefor they are not feminists, they are terrorists.
I am a feminist and I would shout it from the rooftops. I can’t stand when women complain about feminists. Why do you think you have all these freedoms today? Talk about ungrateful.
I think to say that all Feminist are the same, is like saying that all Men are the same.
how can she group miley cyrus with the likes of lady gaga or scarlett johnasson?!?!?
madonna is just icky at this point
That’s what I was thinking…I always thought Helen Mirren was classy and brassy and cool; I respected her. And it’s pretty brave and cool that she did this, but…her view on female empowerment, as far as the examples she’s using is pretty skewed. What kind of intelligent, balanced, female empowerment does Miley exude?
I think it was a good time to post this article, seeing as there was a post about Miley Cyrus earlier that has gotten tons of comments and seems to be very controversial.
But I must agree with the poster above me. To group Cyrus with those gorgeous, sexually in-tune women is an atrocity. Not that one can’t be sexual and gorgeous and bold at 17, but Miley continues to apologize and attempt to cover up her “sexy” photos and pledged to remain a virgin until marriage. To even think of placing her in the same category as the likes of Scarlett Johanson, and Madonna (though, truthfully Madonna was much sexier in her day) is horrible.
Helen Mirren is very brave to be photographed like that. I’m absolutely terrified of getting old and I know that when I reach her age, I won’t even want my husband looking at my body, let alone the rest of the world.
Agreed. Plus when Madonna came out with that sex stuff it was new and forbidden, that’s what made it exciting and fun. Now everyone is doing it! Also it is just sickening when little girls like miley do it, i’m 21 and i’d never do the stuff she does. Not because i am afraid or can’t be sexy. Because it is sleazy and sends out a wrong single to men of all ages. Plus miley has been acting slutty since she was like 15, using the excuse ‘she’s almost 18′ isn’t valid with a girl like that.
Why don’t you want your husband to look at you then? Aging doesn’t mean you’re getting ugly. Besides, your husband ages just like you do and you’re gonna accept that, too, right? Besides, your body doesn’t exist to please his eyes, but to function for you. People should be more natural about it. Me and my friends often hang around naked (we’re only around 20, so there’s no aging issue) and it gives us a feeling of freedom and acceptance cause it’s not about presenting and comparing your sexiness, but about being yourself and respecting everyone for who they are.
It’s just a fear thing. I’m in my early twenties (23) and while I’m more than comfortable with my body now, I fear getting old and watching all the hard work I put into it go away no matter how hard I try. (Obviously not to say that I’ll get fatter, but an elder body isn’t as tight and toned as a younger one.)
Sure the body will change anyway, but it will show if you lived a healthy life and took care of yourself, f.e. by exercising, as you mentioned. My greatgrandfather had a really great body even at 92, because he had been extremely athletic all his life (not the last couple of years, when he was ill, but it stayed as good as it was).
So I think you can’t prevent turning into an older version of yourself, but you can look like a beautiful old person if you make some effort, or are just really lucky, in some cases.
Just FYI, my mother is 60 years old (with no plastic surgery) and she gets hit on ALL THE TIME, and not just by men her age but also by younger men and attractive men (yes, I am a little jealous). So just keep in mind as you get older, that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel
Same here…my mum is 55 (and married) but still gets a LOT of male attention….as in sexual advances. This is also from men of all ages from 20′s to 80′s!
Claiming sexuality? That’s bullshit, most young celeb women act like cheap sluts. There is a BIG difference between being sexy and being a whore
RAchel, I agree! You seriously crack me up with all of your comments here.
I find the photoshoot quite disgusting, and it has nothing to do with her age. It could have been MIranda kerr sitting in that dirty bath water and I would have been equally disguted.
As for young actresses claiming their sexuality, i think it’s a double edged sword. I agree that it is important for woman to be confident and have the power to decide what to do with their body and how to present it. On the other hand, all those women are using their sexuality to sell a product to MEN, so in a way they are perpetuating the age old stereotype of women as a sexualized object. I would be much more impressed if these women were embracing their intellect or sense of humor – which are two qualities that have not been traditionally associated with femininty.
I love this
While I’m not too crazy about the actual poses, i’m ecstatic to see helen show that women do not lose their beauty with age, the beauty just changes
hopefully it’s a step in the direction of women no longer clawing away at staying youthful past their time
This is pretty gross. And she’s advocating for them?? She just lost serious points in my book. I thought maybe she was intelligent or something. Miley? Gaga? PLEASE.
I don’t like this photoshoot and it DOES have to do with her age.
Sexuality and sexual attractiveness is something that is a byproduct of natural selection, and is strongly associated with reproduction.
I feel like Helen Mirren and this magazine are shoving this as attractive down our throats, but it will never succeed because it is a social pressure, not something backed genetically. It’s the same reason why most people who aren’t pedophiles will never find a 5 year old’s body attractive.
And quite frankly I don’t like having something shoved down my throat as attractive that I don’t see any reason in finding attractive. She can be attractive in many other ways…personality, how she carries herself, etc…but in the physical department…that came and went. That’s the sad fact of life.
HELL YEAH MAN! THAT WAS BEAUTIFULLY SAID AND I AGREE 1000%
Disagree. As have seen otherwise in the real world. Many older women ARE viewed as sexually attractive regardlesss of their lack of reproductive abilities. This is not even remotely comparable to something such as paedophilia.
I’m not for one second saying the average male would prefer Helen Mirren to say Scarlett Johansson, but despite popular belief older women do have men after them (and of all ages) if they are still attractive and take good care of themselves.
Sexy appeal is not something that can only be applied to one age group.
By the way I’m 28 but I have this information on good authority by some over 50′s women who are not short of offers….and that’s all I’m saying LOL
IMO being sexy comes from within. It’s all about confidence. I’m sure a majority of men would go for an older women who feels good in her skin and is self-assured than for a stuck-up 20 year old who only wants to get naked when the lights are out.
I think we’ve all been brainwashed to believe that older women don’t have sex, don’t like sex and cannot be sexually attractive.
Menopause = end of fertility = no point in having sex…but anyone with an ounce of insight knows that sex has evolved from it’s primitive reproductive purpose to something extremely pleasurable for ALL adults.
I don’t quite see how you could perceive my comment as irresponsible?! It’s just my opinion. And yeah, I DO believe that someone who doesn’t have any self-confidence is NEVER sexy. That’s what I meant by saying “getting naked only when the lights are out”. As in being so insecure that you don’t want to be seen naked by your partner. Other than that the truth doesn’t hurt me yet, because I’m still very young myself.
Well, first of all, I made the point that people can be attractive in many ways. Perhaps these older women are being hit on for more than simply physical appearance. Maybe they are charismatic, or really smart, or down-to-Earth. Or maybe those men are interested in a more experienced woman in bed. Humans are complicated, and while physical attraction is important, it is ridiculous to say that it is the only reason why two people become interested in each other.
In addition, I think you are confusing what I said about physical attraction. Being 50 year old does not mean that you automatically look like you can’t reproduce…it’s not stamped on your head. You can be 50 years old but still look like you should be able to reproduce. You may have retained certain physical traits that are normally indicators of fertility. And that can be enough to fool us.
My problem with this magazine and Helen Mirren is that they are pushing something that is impossible: they are trying to sexualize aging. Aging is not sexually attractive. Wrinkles are not sexually attractive. Sagging is not sexually attractive. Hormonal imbalances, lack of sex drives, and infertility are not sexually attractive. Millions of years of selection have embedded this in us, and it’s going to take more than a magazine cover to undo. You can make people feel guilty for not finding Helen Mirren attractive through social pressures, but you can’t make them attracted to her.
By the way, I am using physical attraction and sexual attraction interchangeably. The truth is, a person can be considered “beautiful” without being considered sexually attractive. IN this case, I’m talking about sexual attraction because the magazine is not trying to portray Helen Mirren as a symbol of beauty, but as a symbol of sex (which is reinforced by her quote).
I figured out a better way to say this.
It’s kind of like boils or acne.
A woman with boils or acne can be beautiful. An old woman can be beautiful.
A woman with boils or acne can be considered sexy. An old woman can be sexy.
But not because of boils/acne. But not because of age. You can’t sexify boils/acne. You can’t sexify age.
I disagree too. Anyone above the age 14 can be considered sexy.
I have to agree with Casey here. There really is nothing sexy about the way Helen looks. Maybe she has confidence, and the confidence she projects is um, “sexy”, but appearance-wise, no, sorry.
Exactly this. Maybe we had our wires crossed because I think we may be on the same page after all.
I disagree wit you as well. I find it offensive to compare aging to skin diseases. Sure someone can be attractive despite acne/boils and not because of it. But I think when it comes to age, you can’t always say someone is attractive DESPITE their age, they can actually be beautiful because of it. Some people actually look more interesting as they get older or there maturity is appealing, f.e. I’m sure when I get older, I’ll find older men attractive, too, and not despite their age.
anabel, please reread my first two comments.
“But I think when it comes to age, you can’t always say someone is attractive DESPITE their age, they can actually be beautiful because of it”
I said the same thing. But there is a difference between being beautiful/attractive and being sexually attractive, and no, aging is not sexually attractive.
I read your first comment. I didn’t contradict it IMO.
I do think aging can make people more sexually attractive. It’s still something different than a skin disease. And if it appeals to you is a matter of taste and probably your own age.
I would say confidence plays a bit role when it comes to sex appeal and many older women are more comfortable in themselves and with their bodies.
And the way in which a woman carries herself….if she walks around hunched over looking at the ground what man in the world will even look twice at her. But if she smiles, holder her head high and walks with confidence, she demands to be noticed.
Some of the over 50′s women I’ve spoken to do look younger than their age and others don’t. Some are smart and charismatic and others are….to put it kindly…dopey tarts lol.
There doesn’t seem to be any hard and fast rule when it comes to looks or personality…just the confidence aspect and the way they carry themselves.
I never said sagging and wrinkles were particularly attractive features, just like blemishes and cellulite are not, but men don’t tend to focus on those characteristics when sexually involved with a woman. Everyone has flaws, age has no bearing on this.
So I guess the way I feel about this is that Helen Mirren IS sexy DESPITE her wrinkles and greying hair.
It’s an attitude and confidence thing and I’m guessing more men that would care to admit actually find her very alluring.
I see what you are trying to say but I disagree.
I totally agree with what you said!!!!
It’s funny how, when a man gets older and gets a few wrinkles and grey hair, he is more distinguished and refined, but when a woman goes that way, she just gets ugly.
i’m just disappointed that it said there was one more after the jump and there wasn’t:(
Sorry about that, I forgot! Check it now
mmm…akward…
I love it, she so brave.
Miley and Lady Gaga are all the same. Miley “hides” behind her apologies and Gaga behind her “artistic explanations ” . Half- naked women doing sexy dance moves, it does not matter what is their justificative for doing this, its a sexual desmontration and celebration.
And hurray for them being able to do so! Without judgement from other women… Hm?
I love this shoot and I love Helen a little more now. She is wise and see the world honest – naked
i really really don’t think that these photos are beautiful. i mean i would have got the whole point if the pictures were in any way tastefully made. but they look as if taken by a old women lover with his digital cam to be posted on his website…………..
From what I can tell, most of those women are claiming there sexuality in a way that is beneficial to women, though. Miley Cyrus has never talked about her sexuality in a positive or empowering way from what I have heard, and honestly just dresses like a slut. Lady Gaga – Maybe a little bit, but she always talks about how she used to be unattractive because she was a little bit heavier and makes all sorts of rude remarks. Madonna also makes all sorts of rude remarks and promotes an unhealthy body image. Scarlett Johansson, I’m not sure about but I hated that poster for whatever movie she’s in where she was photoshopped like nothing else.
Well i don’t agree with her. I like Sarlett and Gaga is ok. I find Madonna highly overrated, partly bc even if it’s pop music i value a singer who can sing, she can’t really, not that well at all. And the empowering sexuality, there’s a lot of talk about it, but i still don’t know what it means actually, or rather how to feel about it. I think at least for the last 10 yrs, in some ways for the last 30 even, it’s been quite ok for women to want sex just like men (but now they’re calling men whores too if they go from one girl to another.. go figure) And what often gets called empowering is wearing very little clothing, is it then that a stripper has the most power of them all? I mean sexy clothes are ok, but please, it’s not more than that (and that too has been going on for quite a long time, maybe not in Helen’s youth though) Aaaand if women want to “be able to do what men do”..well i don’t see half as much men flashing loads of skin and over sexualizing everything they do as i see women. Again, i think all that is fine, but to me, well maybe it’s epowerment that you can do what you want to, but a strong sexuality and a liberty to do what you want does not require leather and high heels.
at first picture I was like “eww! a naked old lady.” But I admire her bravery.
I agree with everything she said except in the case of Miley Cyrus. There is plenty of time for Miley to empowered by sexuaility ..WHEN she is an adult or at least legal. She seriously couldn’t wait to a year before going on the mmva’s in body suit reminsent of madoona’s likle virgin, with quite literally a strip of fabric covering the opening of her vagina?
I would have said barely covering her vagina but it was pretty visible, lips and all.The whole reason Miley is controversial right now is because she is ACTING and dressing innappriately for age.
I lol’d at your first sentence.
This woman got the gutz to do that.
wow :O holy shit
brave woman
she seems so niiiice
First of all I want to say how much I love this post. Thus I think it’s courageous that someone her age would strip down for a magazine. But I’m definitely a little disappointed and perplexed with some of the comments to say the least. As far as the pictures go I’ve always been very permissive and had a “laissez faire” attitude when it comes to lingerie/nude shoots/photos. Thus when done in a tasteful manner (I’m aware that what tasteful is depends on the person and is subjective) it can be very freeing and liberating. The only thing that annoys me and will remain unknown is if half the people doing these shoots whether it be actresses,musicians etc are doing it for the attention or because they are in charge of their sexuality. As far as her comment goes I couldn’t agree more even when she talks about Miley Cyrus. However when regarding Miley I feel that just like any other girl she’s mistaking her liberty (her turning 18), independence and her coming terms with her sexuality by dressing scantily clad which shouldn’t be the case. Also for those who say said how she talked about wanting to abstain from sex until she’s married how many years ago was that. Furthermore why should dressing scantily clad or showing skin automatically classify you as a slut. From what I’ve seen Miley does this for shock value because if you’ve seen pictures taken by the papparazzi when she’s not performing she definitely is no Lady Gaga (not that nothings wrong with the way she dresses). She gravitates towards the whole bohemian/rock aesthetic. To wrap things up when discussing aging and sexuality women can be so fickle and judgmental. The whole notion that aging means you should repress your sexuality is ridiculous. I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m a little worried about getting older solely based on the vanity aspect however I kind of do look forward to it. I don’t feel like being sexy should be synonymous with age but more so with the way you carry yourself.
She can do whatever she wants but WTF?? was she on crack or something??
kind of ridiculous because not many people want to see a woman like this naked.
Miley Cyrus? Oh honey, no.
i admire her boldness but i disagree with the people she associated the flattery with. Miley cyrus and lady gaga? God help us. I like scarlett though
Thats gross
The photographer should be fired. What horrid pictures (not the subject, the style framing lighting). Seriously, imagine ANYONE in that harsh light/disgusting yellow tone/creepy voyeourstic style. Anyone would look like crap.
Photography is an art. I’ve seen photography of people of all ages in all manners of undress. This isn’t art.
I don’t like the pictures, not because she she is naked but because of the lighting etc…. I would still think it was just as trashy if a 20 year old did it.
saying that I love Helen Mirren, she does her own thing and her body is hot for 64
Why is ageing something to fear? It is just our bodies, they are an expression of our souls. Our wrinkles, the sagging – it bares witness to the wisdom attained. Respect this woman in her honesty, she is older and wiser than most of us
haha, I love her list of female heirs. Scarlett..Gaga..Miley, all three couldn’t be different enough. lol.
I love Helen Mirren but I am disappointed with her for doing this photoshoot. She is a very elegant and classy lady, not to mention, an incredible actress. She does not need to prove anything to anyone regarding her sexuality.
A note on aging: no, the aging process is not considered sexy but some people become more attractive as they age because they possess a worldliness that usually doesn’t accompany youth.
Wow, awesome shoot!
[...] didn’t tell me the hottest GILF on earth is all nudie in a magazine! [...]
Haha I love her balls for this and I do not think it takes away her elegance and class. When mature women expose their bodies in a creative way that’s great.When a slutty teen wears lingerie looking to get her career started thats a different story.
[...] few days ago, we were surprised to see 65 year-old Helen Mirren nude in a magazine – See the highly comented post HERE! - and we talked about the tangency between sexiness, age and nudity. After dealing with some [...]
It’s just not tasteful. Not just becuz of the age thing (that helps) but it was just not a great shoot.
[...] within. And I love how Helen Mirren has aged so gracefully. She’s gorgeous and quite sexy.” (We’ve seen her naked sexiness!) On what she does to keep fit and healthy: “Exercise is fun when it doesn’t feel like [...]
Classy women:)
i think there’s more class and sophistication in helen mirren’s pinky finger than all of those girls she named off combined.
Seriously, I wouldn’t like to see my mother one day in this type of photos!
[...] On a related note, a while ago we’ve seen Helen Mirren getting naked in the bath – click here to see that post! [...]