Dame Helen Mirren, an award-winning British actress, has revealed her regret in participating in nude scenes in her earlier career.

The 76-year-old actress claims that her previous roles in nude scenes have given her an undeserved reputation, causing her to feel uncomfortable with her on-screen image.

Despite her seeming confidence on-screen, Mirren has revealed that she has always struggled with doing nudity in movies.

She said, “I might seem uninhibited but believe me, I’m not. I’ve always had a problem doing nudity.”

“In fact, I hated it. It has never been a comfortable thing. I’ve never enjoyed it. It’s always mortifying.”

The actress has expressed her discomfort with nudity in previous interviews.

In a 2018 interview with the UK’s Daily Mail, Mirren said, “I don’t think that will happen again.”

“I think also, as a result of Time’s Up, there is going to be the need for more nudity with women that empowers them. I don’t think nudity is the be-all and end-all.”

Despite her reservations, Mirren had previously agreed to appear in several nude scenes to avoid being seen as uptight.

She explained, “I did those scenes because I didn’t want to be uptight. Now I have got stuck in a way with a reputation for doing nude scenes.”

Mirren’s regret highlights a broader issue in the entertainment industry regarding the exploitation of actors, especially women, through nudity in movies.

Several actors have spoken out against being pressured to do nudity, with some even sharing stories of being coerced into it.

According to a 2019 study conducted by TIME’S UP, only 22% of female actors and 14% of male actors feel comfortable with nude scenes, while 58% of female actors and 48% of male actors have experienced discomfort or negative emotions while performing nude scenes.

Mirren’s experience shows that even established actors can feel pressured into doing nudity in their careers.

Her honesty about her discomfort with the issue is commendable and may help spark a conversation about the exploitation of actors in the entertainment industry.

Despite her previous roles, Mirren is now more discerning about the projects she takes on and has become more selective when it comes to nude scenes.

She said, “I’m careful now about what gets exposed. It’s not my job to be revealing. My job is to be an actor, and so you want to try and keep that level of privacy.”