Helen Mirren recently highlighted the extraordinary life and contributions of Jane Fonda during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Celebration held on December 2, 2023, in Los Angeles. Mirren, who is also a Women of Worth honoree, praised Fonda for her ‘radical and controversial’ outlook on life, describing her as a figure of immense energy and commitment.
Mirren expressed admiration for Fonda, stating, “I’ve always thought what an absolute remarkable life she’s had and with incredible expanse of different things. Always constantly with energy, commitment, radical, controversial but, always committed to life. She’s definitely one of my Women of Worth.” This celebration marked the 20th anniversary of the Women of Worth program, which recognizes female innovators and leaders across various fields.
Celebrating 20 Years of Women of Worth
The event took place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where L’Oréal Paris honored ten new Women of Worth honorees. This year’s recipients included 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. These women exemplify the spirit of resilience and innovation that the program aims to celebrate.
Among the notable attendees were other global ambassadors of L’Oréal Paris, including Andie MacDowell, Kendall Jenner, Aja Naomi King, Gillian Anderson, Ariana Greenblatt, and Heidi Klum. The gathering underscored the impact of women in various industries and the importance of supporting their contributions.
Reflections on Confidence and Career
In her conversation with Us Weekly, Mirren, who has enjoyed a career spanning over six decades, candidly discussed her own struggles with confidence. “I don’t have confidence. I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever. But I pretend I do,” she shared. This admission highlights the challenges many face in the public eye, even those as accomplished as Mirren.
Looking ahead, Mirren will star in Kate Winslet’s directorial debut, Goodbye June, which is set to release in select theaters on December 12, 2023, and will be available for streaming on Netflix starting Christmas Eve. The film, written by Winslet’s son, Joe Anders, explores the emotional dynamics of four estranged adult children as they come together to support their terminally ill mother, played by Mirren.
Winslet shared her enthusiasm for directing, 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.” This project marks a significant milestone for Winslet, as she steps into a role that not only showcases her talents but also contributes to changing the narrative around female leadership in film.
As the Women of Worth program continues to uplift and celebrate women making a difference, Mirren’s words about Fonda serve as a reminder of the importance of commitment, courage, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
