News | Entertainment
17 Jan 2026 18:45
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Dame Helen Mirren feels concerned by the influence of social media

    The 80-year-old actress believes social media pressures men and women to meet unrealistic beauty standards.


    Speaking to Elle, Helen explained: "If women or men are seriously diminished, defeated, or depressed when they look in the mirror and are brought down by what they see, and they have the financial ability and the mental ability or whatever to change it, fine.

    "I do think because of social media and what apps can do, you [can] look at the reality and you get literally depressed. I think that's a very, very sad state of affairs."

    Helen actually suggested investing in good lighting as an alternative to getting a face lift.

    The movie star said: "Before contemplating anything, get really good lighting in your bathroom so that whenever you look in the mirror, you are lit beautifully and look great ... It's a lot cheaper than getting a facelift.

    "I am serious about the good lighting in the bathroom.

    "Bad lighting is so depressing. I think it would be a terrible mistake to get plastic surgery when you're in your twenties. Your face changes. I don't like to criticise or attack people for doing what makes them happy. But to try to look like a fake picture of yourself would be terrible."

    Meanwhile, Helen recently confessed that she relishes the "roller coaster adventure" of acting.

    The actress has enjoyed a hugely successful career in the movie business, starring films such as The Queen, Hitchcock, Eye in the Sky, and Red, and Helen admits that she still gets a huge thrill from appearing on-screen.

    The award-winning star told Variety: "The roller coaster adventure is the most exciting."

    Helen has always considered herself to be a "rogue and a vagabond", and she feels proud of what she's achieved in her career on stage and screen.

    Helen said: "I identify more with that side of my profession than anything grand or, for lack of a better word, posh.

    "I started in the theatre in a communal sense, where you are all in it together, you know. It wasn't a star system or anything like that. That was my first love of performing, of telling stories ... My whole life has been spent now, not so much camping out by the side of the street, but certainly in hotels. My whole life has been packing and unpacking."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     17 Jan: Ariana Grande says Mac Miller "encouraged her to be herself" as she moved into music
     17 Jan: Stephen Graham has signed a first-look deal with Disney+
     17 Jan: Jennifer Lopez shopped "museum-quality archival couture" to find her Golden Globes dress
     17 Jan: Emilia Clarke had a "full mental breakdown" after Game of Thrones ended
     17 Jan: Candace Cameron Bure has endured "really low lows" during her marriage
     17 Jan: Evan Peters was "shocked" to find out Jessica Lange is returning to American Horror Story
     17 Jan: Carrie Coon insists no one recognises her when she's brunette and her blonde locks make people "see her in a different way"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty is being remembered for his bravery on the rugby field and ability to energise a crowd More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    An additional OCR cut is not expected for a while, and there even could be a hike More...



     Today's News

    Soccer:
    Manager Bev Priestman is drilling toughness into her Wellington Phoenix side ahead of their A-League women's clash at Canberra United 18:37

    Entertainment:
    Ariana Grande says Mac Miller "encouraged her to be herself" as she moved into music 18:23

    Rugby:
    Former All Blacks wing Grant Batty is being remembered for his bravery on the rugby field and ability to energise a crowd 18:07

    Entertainment:
    Stephen Graham has signed a first-look deal with Disney+ 17:53

    Accident and Emergency:
    Two people have serious injuries after a vehicle left the road in Bay of Plenty's Whakatane 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Jennifer Lopez shopped "museum-quality archival couture" to find her Golden Globes dress 17:23

    Rugby League:
    Improving his personal best is the goal for Sam Ruthe when he lines up with Sam Tanner in the 800 metres at the Potts Classic in Hastings tonight 16:57

    Entertainment:
    Emilia Clarke had a "full mental breakdown" after Game of Thrones ended 16:53

    Politics:
    Chinese debate Iran crisis as official and public views diverge 16:37

    Entertainment:
    Candace Cameron Bure has endured "really low lows" during her marriage 16:23


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd