Helen Mirren has slammed the idea that ‘older women shouldn’t grow their hair long’ as she hit back at those who try to put her into a ‘box’.

The 77-year-old actress appeared on an episode of Lorraine in the UK and discussed the stereotypes surrounding women.

She told the host that after a certain age, “you’re not supposed to have longer hair.”

“But during Covid, I started growing my hair and I hadn’t actually had long hair since I was in my 20s,” she said.

“And it sort of grew and grew and grew, and I couldn’t be bothered to cut it, basically,” Mirren went on.

“I thought, do you know what, it’s pretty cool, I think I’ll stick with it for a little while. It will come off eventually.

“But I’m kind of enjoying it, it’s quite radical.”

During the interview, she also talked about how it feels to be a representative for women over the age of 60.

“Life doesn’t stop. And creativity doesn’t stop and passion doesn’t stop and energy doesn’t stop unless you decide to stop it,” the Woman In Gold star said.

“So it’s just be self-motivated, really, and never give up. And find enjoyment, if it’s possible in your life,” she added.

Her optimism appears to be resonating with other women.

Pirates of the Caribbean star Keira Knightley previously said in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar that she would like to age like Mirren.

“You’ve got Madonna on the one hand – and we’re told that’s not the right thing. Then you have someone else, where we’re told, ‘They looked better 20 years ago’. How are we, culturally, meant to age?” she said, adding that Mirren is a ‘terribly good’ example.

“She ages in the most sensational manner. She’s fabulous in every way. You look at her and think, ‘God, you’re having so much fun. You’re enjoying life so much,’” she added.

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