At the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Celebration on December 2, 2023, in Los Angeles, actress Helen Mirren lavished praise on her fellow L’Oréal ambassador, Jane Fonda, highlighting Fonda’s “radical and controversial” outlook on life. Mirren, 80, described Fonda as a remarkable figure whose energy and commitment make her a true inspiration.
“One of my Women of Worth is actually another L’Oréal ambassador, and that’s Jane Fonda,” Mirren stated. “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. She’s definitely one of my Women of Worth.”
Celebrating Women of Worth
The event marked the 20th anniversary of the Women of Worth program, which recognizes female leaders and innovators across the United States. This year, L’Oréal Paris honored ten exceptional women, including Yasmine Arrington Brooks, Amy Bowers Cordalis, and Olivia Zhang. The celebration took place at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, attended by notable L’Oréal ambassadors such as Andie MacDowell, Kendall Jenner, and Heidi Klum.
Mirren’s career spans over six decades, and she candidly shared her struggles with confidence. “I don’t have confidence. I have absolutely no confidence whatsoever. But I pretend I do,” she told Us Weekly. “It’s always been that way. It’s just a big act.”
Upcoming Projects and Directorial Debut
Looking ahead, Mirren is set to star in Kate Winslet’s directorial debut, Goodbye June, which premieres 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 dynamics of four estranged adult siblings who reunite as their mother, played by Mirren, faces terminal cancer.
Winslet shared her journey towards directing, explaining how she discovered the script during a screenwriting course that Anders attended. “At the end of the course, he said to me, ‘I’ve written this thing, and you know it’s probably not good, but would you read it?’ I read it, and I realized it was very much not and could definitely be a film,” Winslet noted.
She expressed her motivation 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. So in my 50s, I did it!”
As both Mirren and Winslet continue to break boundaries in their careers, their contributions to the film industry and dedication to supporting women empower future generations of female storytellers.
