Teetering on 65-years old, Helen Mirren is still fiercely poised, sexy, and intriguing. In her latest film endeavor, Mirren plays a madam opposite Joe Pesci in the upcoming film Love Ranch, directed by her husband Taylor Hackford. Recently, the almost-senior citizen garnered attention for a series of brilliant photos by Juergen Teller that graced the pages of New York Magazine, some featuring Mirren nude in a bathtub (a really saucy one). Teller, fashion photographer and artist, conveyed Mirren’s attitude and daring. Accompanying the sexy spread, Mirren reveals that she is “thrilled young girls are claiming their sexuality for themselves.” She continues:

“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.”

Yes. YES. YES! I most definitely share the Dame’s affinity for women who express themselves the way the want. We are all too familiar with the rebukes women stomach in the industry, pop-star, actress, artist, or otherwise. Sex symbols like Madonna, Scarlett, Gaga, and Miley are relentlessly chastised (despite being encouraged) for provocative behavior when a man who posed nude for Cosmopolitan was elected to the Senate for Christ’s sake.

Arguably, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, the seven year-old dance troupe that impressively gyrated to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” exposes the dark and creepy side of commodifying women’s sexuality.

Clearly, there is a real danger in sexualizing children — especially female children. And certainly, when it comes the still-underage Miley Cyrus, there’s this whole thing about how her parents robbed her of a healthy childhood; as well, its debatable how much artistic and creative direction she actually had (or has). But like the Dame, I love confident, innovative, and “bold” expressions of sexuality as seen in Madonna, Scarlett, Gaga, and even Miley, to a far lesser extent — though, I might throw Megan Fox on that list. JK.

And speaking of Miley, in a recent interview with Ryan Seacrest, the underage pop star addresses the more pervasive attitudes regarding her recent transformation into an underage sexpot. Miley aptly addresses the double standard explaining:

“Well, I love Zac Efron, but what’s he selling? He’s gorgeous, he’s hot, I don’t go see his movie because I’m like, ‘He’s such a fantastic actor.’ He’s a great actor, but he’s hot. He’s just not in a leotard with his legs out. He has his shirt off. So what’s the difference? In ‘High School Musical’… he’s in basketball shorts and his cutoff tank top and all the girls are dying. It just isn’t as obvious when guys do it… I was on tour with the Jonas Brothers my first year and boy bands get away with a lot. For girls, it’s always going to be harder. That’s not an excuse, it just means we have to work harder.”

Besides the vague “we have to work harder” comment at the end, Miley makes a totally valid case. Name your favorite Hollywood hunk and tell me that he wasn’t packaged and sold as sex. From the Brat Pack to ‘N Sync to the absurdly obsessed and frantic Twilight obsession, there is no doubt a study stream of hotties designed and catered to the horny young masses. Young men like Taylor Lautner and RPatts are like a drug for tweens around the world. They take sexy pixxx and say sexy things and indulge their celebrity as figures of sexual prowess as much as the next (young!) chick skankin’ it up. And OMG, JUSTIN BIEBER. If TayTay and RPatts are like crack, than Bieber-Fever is like some kind of really serious meth addiction. Yet, some even criticize the Dame for taking it all off — like, “Hello?  It’s art.”  Lord knows I would pay Juergen Teller to do naked portraits of me.

Although Miley doesn’t even approach the gilded throne of divas like Madonna and Gaga, she endures international attention (and relentless criticism) coming into her own as a sexual and independent artist (er, or whatever). And for that, props. Plus, fuck, I can’t help it, the Annie Leibovitz shoot was badass.

What do you think?

2 Responses to “Helen Mirren Gets Naked, Talks Sexy Women, and We Love It!”

1. Erin says:

   July 1, 2010 at 8:39 pm

   I find Miley’s comment to be strangely insightful. Men are almost always sold as sexy, shirtless beasts (Taylor Lautner anyone?), but when women are presented in a similar fashion there is a much finer line, and the result is usually considered slutty. I love Lady Gaga for blatantly throwing her sexuality in everyone’s faces and somehow avoiding a slutty reputation.

   Reply
2. Roxanne says:

   July 6, 2010 at 12:03 pm

   your crack and meth analogies are spot on. all so synthetic and well annoyingly uncomfortable. are so they would all seem to be…..

   Reply