Helen Mirren Doesn't Think She's Sexy, but These 11 Moments May Prove Her Wrong

"I'm not 'sexy,'" Helen Mirren told the crowd at an AARP luncheon in her honor on Monday. The 71-year-old was asked about her image in Hollywood and had the room in fits of laughter when she added, "If you see a painting you love, one that speaks to you, you can say, 'Oh my god, that painting is sexy. That doesn't mean you want to f*ck it. When [people say] I'm a sexual object, I'd argue — I'm so not that. It's just something that gets hung on your back and you can never quite get it off."

While we definitely understand what she's saying about not wanting to be solely known as a sexual object, we're going to have to respectfully disagree on the part about her not being sexy. This is a woman who, at a cool 71 years of age, is the object of affection for dozens of Hollywood actors (and actresses), can shut down inappropriate reporters in the blink of an eye, and knows how to twerk. She's a Pirelli calendar girl who defended Kim Kardashian's headline-making nude selfie earlier this year, saying, "I love shameless women. Shameless and proud!" and explaining that when she was growing up, "it was thought to be unbelievably sluttish to even have a bra strap showing" because "everything was about women conforming."

So yes, not only is Helen Mirren actually incredibly sexy, but she's also whip smart and witty, with a sparkling personality and one-of-a-kind sense of humor. We're paying homage to Helen's hottest moments — both physical and not.

01
When She Snogged Stephen Colbert
CBS

When She Snogged Stephen Colbert

02
And Twerked With Michael Strahan
ABC

And Twerked With Michael Strahan

03
When This Photo With Ryan Reynolds Made Blake Lively Ask, "Should I Be Concerned That My Husband's Never Looked at Me This Way?"
Getty | Dominique Charriau

When This Photo With Ryan Reynolds Made Blake Lively Ask, "Should I Be Concerned That My Husband's Never Looked at Me This Way?"

04
When She Looked Like a Freaking Bond Girl on the Beach
FameFlynet

When She Looked Like a Freaking Bond Girl on the Beach

05
When She Looked Better in a Suit Than Aaron Paul
Getty | Gary Gershoff

When She Looked Better in a Suit Than Aaron Paul

06
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When She Sucked Helium With Jimmy Fallon

08
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When She Shut Down This Sexist Reporter Like It Was Nothing

09
When She Made Sure All Eyes Were on Her Prince Tribute
Getty | Kris Connor

When She Made Sure All Eyes Were on Her Prince Tribute

10

When She Surprised James Marsden, Who Has a Massive Crush on Her

11
When She Revealed Her Own Massive Crush on the "Beautiful, Gorgeous" Idris Elba
Getty | John Sciulli

When She Revealed Her Own Massive Crush on the "Beautiful, Gorgeous" Idris Elba

We feel you, Dame.