Legendary actress Helen Mirren has never been one to shy away from speaking her mind, but her latest interview on the Brave New World podcast has left many scratching their heads. In the wide-ranging discussion, the 79-year-old Oscar winner touched on topics as diverse as the late Kurt Cobain, fashion icon Harry Styles, and her own personal views on religion—and the results were nothing short of captivating.
A Surprising Tribute to Kurt Cobain
Perhaps the most unexpected moment in the interview came when Mirren paid an unlikely tribute to the memory of Kurt Cobain, the troubled Nirvana frontman who died by suicide in 1994 at the age of 27.
“I always say it’s so sad that Kurt Cobain died when he did, because he never saw GPS, as it’s the most wonderful thing to watch my little blue spot walking down the street,” Mirren pondered, referring to the ubiquitous navigation technology.
While the connection between Cobain and GPS may not be immediately apparent, the Oscar-winning actress went on to explain her fascination with the technology, describing it as “completely magical and unbelievable.”
Weighing in on Men’s Fashion
Mirren also shared her surprisingly progressive views on the evolution of men’s fashion, giving a nod to trailblazers like Harry Styles and Timothée Chalamet for “breaking the boundaries of what used to be a male uniform.”
“When you see those guys on the red carpet or even in normal, everyday life, they’re really breaking the boundaries,” the actress observed, adding that she believes the Black community has played a pivotal role in driving this shift.
“I always find Black people dress so imaginatively, and they don’t seem to be necessarily constrained by formality or convention,” Mirren said. “I believe that the Black community has significantly altered the norms.” I simply hope for it to become more widely accepted.
An Atheist’s Love for the ‘Theatre’ of Churches
But perhaps the most surprising revelation from Mirren‘s interview was her admitted love for attending church services, despite being a self-professed atheist. “My husband always laughs at me when I go into a church, and I always cross myself and genuflect and take the holy water because I just love the theater of churches,” she confessed.
The actress went on to explain that while she doesn’t believe in God, she is “mesmerized by the power of belief” and the sheer artistry and craftsmanship that have gone into the architecture and design of religious spaces.
“You’re sitting on the wooden pews made by the people who painted the beautiful frescoes, the statuary, and the amazing architecture of the ceiling.” All of that was made possible by people who believed in it, Mirren thought.
A Unique Perspective on Religion and Identity
This latest interview is just the latest in a series of candid discussions in which Helen Mirren has opened up about her views on religion and identity. Earlier this year, she faced backlash for taking on the role of former Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir in a biopic, despite not being Jewish herself.
But the actress has remained steadfast in her convictions, suggesting that she believes she may have Jewish heritage somewhere in her lineage. “I did tell [the director] that I’m not Jewish, in case he thought I was. I said, ‘If that’s an issue, I’ll step away, no problem.’ But he said, ‘No, it’s not an issue. I want you to play Golda.’ And off we went,” Mirren explained.
As always, Helen Mirren has proven herself to be a fascinating and multifaceted public figure, unafraid to share her unique perspectives on everything from fashion to faith. If this recent interview serves as a guide, we can’t predict what other surprising revelations she might have in store.
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