Kim Kardashian has found an unlikely champion in Dame Helen Mirren, who has praised the reality star for helping to redefine what it is to be beautiful. The 70-year-old says she loves the new generation of women who are ‘shameless and proud’ and have claimed back their own bodies.

Helen MirrenDame Helen Mirren has praised Kim Kardashian.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Mirren said: ‘When I was growing up, it was thought to be unbelievably sluttish to even have a bra strap showing. Everything was about women conforming. I love shameless women. Shameless and proud!’

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‘Women were controlled by being shamed, so I love women who have claimed their own bodies: Madonna, Chrissie Hynde, Joan Jett, Bonnie Raitt. I love Pussy Riot more than anything in the world. They all raise their middle fingers to this epithet of “slut”. They wear what they want to wear, behave as they want to behave.’

Turning her attention to Kim, Mirren continued: ‘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.’

Mirren also spoke about the joys of being older and how you become relieved of the sex symbol tag. ‘For me, one of the best things about getting older is finally being relieved of the whole sex-symbol tag,’ she said.

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‘There is good and bad in ageing. Each age you become reveals a new person you’ve become. I loved being young but I’ve enjoyed every stage in different ways. I’m happy being in my 70s and there will be another person in me at 80, hopefully, and I can’t wait to meet her.’