At the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Celebration on December 2, 2023, in Los Angeles, actress Helen Mirren praised fellow actress Jane Fonda for her “radical and controversial” approach to life. Mirren, 80, highlighted Fonda’s remarkable journey and her unwavering commitment to various causes throughout her career.
This year’s event, marking the 20th anniversary of L’Oréal’s Women of Worth program, recognized ten honorees celebrated for their contributions as female innovators and leaders across the United States. Mirren noted that Fonda is not only a fellow honoree but also a fellow ambassador for L’Oréal Paris. “I’ve always thought what an absolutely remarkable life she’s had, with an incredible expanse of different things. Always constantly with energy, commitment, radical, controversial but always committed to life,” Mirren said during her exclusive interview with Us Weekly.
Celebrating Female Pioneers
The celebration took place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where L’Oréal Paris honored ten exceptional women, including Yasmine Arrington Brooks, Amy Bowers Cordalis, Mizpah Brown-Rich, Keely Cat-Wells, Sloane Davidson, Lynne B Hughes, Anita Ravi, Cristina Rodriguez, Gloria Umanah, and Olivia Zhang. The event showcased two decades of achievements by women from various fields.
Among the attendees were other notable L’Oréal ambassadors, including Andie MacDowell, Kendall Jenner, Aja Naomi King, Gillian Anderson, Ariana Greenblatt, and Heidi Klum, all of whom joined in celebrating these remarkable women.
Mirren also shared her personal struggles with confidence, admitting to Us Weekly, “I don’t have confidence. I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever. But I pretend I do. It’s always been that way. It’s just a big act.” Despite her self-doubt, Mirren has maintained a successful career spanning over six decades.
Upcoming Projects and Directorial Debut
Looking ahead, Mirren is set to star in Kate Winslet’s directorial debut, Goodbye June, which is scheduled for release in select theaters on December 12, 2023, followed by streaming on Netflix starting Christmas Eve. The film explores the dynamics of four estranged adult siblings, played by Winslet, Toni Collette, Andrea Riseborough, and Johnny Flynn, as they confront their past grievances while caring for their terminally ill mother, portrayed by Mirren.
Winslet expressed her excitement about directing, noting that the screenplay written by her son, Joe Anders, stood out to her. “At the end of the course, he said to me, ‘I’ve written this thing, and you know it’s probably not great, but would you read it?’ I read it, and I realized it was very much not and could definitely be a film,” Winslet explained during a screening, highlighting her shift towards directing and supporting women in the industry.
With Goodbye June, Winslet aims to contribute to creating opportunities for women in the film industry, stating, “I found myself in a moment of realization, having spent so much of my life advocating and trying to elevate other women in male-dominated spaces.” Her journey reflects a commitment to changing the culture surrounding women’s roles in filmmaking.
The L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth event not only celebrated individual achievements but also underscored the importance of female empowerment and solidarity in various sectors. Through her recognition of Jane Fonda and the honorees, Mirren continues to inspire and uplift women across the globe.
