Did you ever think that Emily Ratajkowski and Helen Mirren would have something in common? Did you ever think that what they would have in common is their defense of Kim Kardashian? Helen Mirren gave an interview to the Telegraph about body image, Kim Kardashian and how the younger generation doesn’t need “permission” to do whatever they want with their bodies. While Emily Ratajkowski got a ton of shade, I wonder if Helen Mirren will largely get a pass? Hm.
“When I was growing up, it was thought to be unbelievably sluttish to even have a bra strap showing. Everything was about women conforming. I love shameless women. Shameless and proud!”
Helen Mirren, 70, said she was happy to be finally “relieved of the whole sex-symbol tag” but was inspired by women who had not been “controlled by being shamed”.
“Women were controlled by being shamed. I love women who have claimed their own bodies: Madonna, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Bonnie Raitt. I love Pussy Riot more than anything in the world. They all raise their middle fingers to this epithet of ‘slut’. They wear what they want to wear, behave as they want to behave.’”
Mirren said the reality TV star’s famous backside had been positive for young women and body confidence.
“I’m not into the Kardashians, it’s a phenomenon I just don’t find interesting, but – and this is the big word: B-U-T-T – it’s wonderful that you’re allowed to have a butt nowadays,” she told the Sunday Telegraph Magazine. “Thanks to Madame Kardashian, and before her, J-Lo. We’re also allowed to have thighs now, which is great too. It’s very positive.”
I totally agree with Helen Mirren. Even if you’re not into the Kardashians and what they represent, Kim has done good things for body-positivity. I’m sure the counter-argument will be: Kim’s curves are manufactured and the product of multiple plastic surgery procedures. Which is true, but I’ll also say this: it used to be that women got plastic surgery almost exclusively to look thinner, to attain that sort of boyish figure that is held up as the most beautiful and desirable. Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce and more have all shown women with curves that they’re beautiful even if they don’t fit into that mold. As for the ladies owning the “slut” epithet… I don’t know, women still feel shame and there’s still a great deal of slut-shaming that happens every damn day. But Helen is focusing on the positive, and she’s right, a lot has changed for women since her youth.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.
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