Dame Helen Mirren has always been a legend and this video clip of her being interviewed by a young Michael Parkinson proves it.
If the fact the 71 year-old has dyed her hair candy floss pink, decided to get a tattoo on her hand on a whim, and can twerk like Beyoncé wasn't a good enough reason to adore Dame Helen Mirren, this throw-back clip of her shutting down the misogynistic questions in this video will do the job.
During an interview with the British talk show host in 1975, the interviewer (who has since been described by Mirren as 'a f*cking sexist old fart'. Get in, Helen!) introduced the twentysomething actress with a list of sexual comments by reviewers such as 'especially telling in projecting a sluttish eroticism'.
Oh no, wait – it gets worse.
With a face of thunder, Mirren is then seen walking across the stage before Parkinson says: 'That was sluttishly erotic for you.'
The host went on to quiz Mirren about how she feel being called a 'sex queen' and why she refers to herself as 'in quotes, a serious actress'.
Go on Parky, hit us with another hilarious quip because that one was golden…
Confused, Helen asked what the host meant by the term 'in quotes' to which Parkinson explained it as being a 'cliché' phrase, before asking if her 'equipment' hiders her pursuit to be a serious actress.
Mother of Zeus, how was this man allowed on television?
In classic cool as a cucumber, badass fashion, Mirren subsequently forced him to clarify – in detail – exactly what he meant by the word 'equipment', before firing back, 'Because serious actresses can't have big bosoms, is that what you mean?'
'What a crummy performance if people are obsessed with the size of your bosom or anything else. I would hope that the performance, and the play, and the living relationship between all the people on the stage and all the people in the audience overcome such boring questions,' she added, much to a squirming Parkinson.
While Helen Mirren wasn't the first and unfortunately won't be the last actress to face sexist questioning disguised as journalism, she's certainly given us the best lesson in dealing with misogyny.
Also, can we just take a second to appreciate her Rihanna-esque pearl chocker?
Bow down.
Watch the video below:
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
