In a recent interview with the Telegraph, Dame Mirren said the following:
“I’m not into the Kardashians, it’s a phenomenon I just don’t find interesting, but – and this is the big word: B-U-T-T – it’s wonderful that you’re allowed to have a butt nowadays! Thanks to Madame Kardashian, and before her, J-Lo. We’re also allowed to have thighs now, which is great too. It’s very positive.”
Aside from being the only time anyone has ever called Kim K “Madame Kardashian” (except maybe Kanye, during some kind of freaky roleplay), Dame Mirren’s quote shows us just how far we’ve come, and how far we have yet to go. On the one hand, she’s right that our society is increasingly accepting of different body types, and is beginning to move past slut-shaming people who are unashamed of their own sexuality. On the other hand, there are reactionaries everywhere, as seen in any comment section about this story.
For those of you who think that just because this story mentions a Kardashian it’s automatically invalid, I have this to say to you: First of all, congratulations on owning a penis. And second, sure, the Kardashians are reality television stars, people whose lives revolve around being consumed en masse by a hungry populace for no discernible reason. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t do some good as well. For whatever else you can say about Kim Kardashian, she’s certainly used her status as a sex symbol to push progress — progress that women everywhere, including Dame Mirren, are thankful for.
So the next time someone as dignified as Dame Mirren praises positive body image, maybe you shouldn’t try to tear them down for associating with what you perceive to be a lower class of person. Maybe you should listen.
What do you think? Is Dame Helen Mirren right to praise Kim K, or are reality stars subhuman? Let us know in the comments below or @WhatsTrending on Twitter!
