The Oscar-winning actor on rule-breaking, embracing getting older and why sitting up straight is so important.
Helen Mirren has revealed that her secret to self-confidence is her posture and that she wouldn't want to be at any other stage of her life right now.
In a panel event this month for L’Oreal Paris, she told beauty journalist Nadine Biggot that she adores getting older and credits her mother for giving her such a positive outlook.
Mirren recalled her mother's words of wisdom: “She always said to me, ‘Darling, never worry about getting older. When you're 20 the thought of being 40 is terrible, but you'll find when you get to be 40 you won't want to be 20 again, because you've got wonderful advantages.
"You've lost certain things, but you've gained an awful lot more.’”
An RSC-trained actor, Mirren’s big breakthrough role was in 1980 starring opposite Bob Hoskins in The Long Good Friday. However, it was Prime Suspect, a role she played in her forties, that really cemented her as a household name.
Speaking about the role, she revealed she felt very lucky as the early Nineties were a difficult time for actors of a certain age.
“I was in my 40s - and that's always a very difficult moment for actresses, moving from your beautiful young freshness into your maturity,” she said.
“The mature side is not allowed, not interesting… That was the sort of extremely sexist and ageist world that I grew up. I was lucky that Prime Suspect allowed me to move into that other world.”
As a woman who has worked with literally everyone in the acting world, Mirren said she still uses the advice of acclaimed actor, Sir John Gielgud, when she needs a boost of self-confidence. And it’s something we can all do – very easily.
“John Gielgud always said, ‘It's all in the spine’ and you know that's very true,” she said.
“Sitting up immediately changes everything. It's amazing and gives that feeling of ‘taking my space’. I'm taking up space this is my space and I'm filling it up."
“Don't let anyone else take your space from you. It's your space. You're the only one in the world like. You're literally one of a kind take your space and maintain it.”
"Posture is really important to our overall health," says therapist (MSc.) and Pilates instructor, Tracy Richardson.
"Posture comes from the core as a foundation, the musculature around the trunk, abdominals, back and pelvic floor. Promoting an upright, but relaxed posture, and a whole body approach to core strength also helps to improve balance and stability.
This in turn enhances your ability to function and perform everyday activities such as walking, turning and reaching with ease."
If you want to improve your posture, Tracy suggests Mirren's idea of sitting up straight is a good idea.
"All you need to do is imagine a piece of string pulling you up really tall from the crown of your head, drawing you upward towards the ceiling," she says.
"Think about your spine gradually lengthening. This draws you into an upright, but relaxed, spinal posture, that simultaneously lifts your chest and helps to align your back, shoulders and neck."
You can do this sitting or standing and is a great at opening up the chest area, perfect if you've been sitting at your desk or car for long periods.
Mirren, who has been an ambassador for L'Oreal Paris since 2014, has never been one to follow beauty rules. She enjoys experimenting with makeup and doesn't let age dictate her style choices.
"I'm always wearing things that are completely, if you like, inappropriate, but I love just love sort of shaking it up. It's good to break the rules, isn't it?"
That same rule breaking energy also meant Mirren decided to eschew societal expectations when it came to her hair.
“I grew it long deliberately because I knew it was an unacceptable thing for old women to have long grey hair,” she said laughing.
When asked about her age, Mirren is unapologetic about her years. "I feel the age that I am with all the curiosity I have about life, the knowledge I have about life," she said. "I love being the age I am. It's great, so why would I want to be someone else? I don't."
Mirren's varying career has seen her star on the stage in Shakespeare and also in hugely popular film franchises, such as Marvel and Fast and Furious, however, she refers to her career as ‘just trudging on’.
As for what comes next, it will inevitably be something that scares her!
“It's the thing that has scared me the most, that I feel I should do,” she explained. “If I fail or not, it doesn't really matter.”
For Mirren, who says she’s not growing old, but growing up, she feels this act of life is one for learning and not being so inward as she was when younger.
“One of the great advantages of getting order is you're not so self-concerned all the time,” she said.
“It's not all about you. It becomes about the wider world and it's so much more interesting than when it's all about you. You look outward much more than you look inward.”
As for her younger outward looking self, when asked what advice she would give her, Mirren answered the question in the only way a rule breaker could.
“Use SPF, but also don't smoke as it’s terrible for everything. Also, learn this phrase ‘F*** off’!” she said.
Former finalist Debbie McGee reveals what happens behind at the scenes at TV's most glamorous show.
As its third and final film is released, here's what really went on behind the scenes of the iconic series.
The BBC weather presenter says she's not worried what people think about her 13-year age gap marriage.
Ahead of the football legend reaching half a century, we take a look back at his life so far.
