Helen Mirren praises Kim Kardashian for redefining beauty

LONDON, June 7 (UPI) -- Helen Mirren credits Kim Kardashian with helping to redefine beauty.

The 70-year-old English actress said as much of the 35-year-old American reality star while discussing aging and appearance with The Sunday Telegraphs' Stella magazine

"When I was growing up, it was thought to be unbelievably sluttish to even have a bra strap showing," Mirren shared. "Everything was about women conforming. I love shameless women. Shameless and proud!"

"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," she lauded. "We're also allowed to have thighs now, which is great too. It's very positive."

Kardashian and her sisters have helped to popularize a curvy physique in a society that values thin women. The reality star has also received praise for embracing her sexuality, as demonstrated with the controversial nude selfie she posted in March.

"I truly was baffled when people still cared," Kardashian said of reaction to the photo on Monday's episode of Recode Decode. "They have seen me naked 500 times. The censor bar was probably more covered than a bikini. I could not grasp how people were so outraged."

"My personality has never been, 'I'm such a feminist and follow me and be naked!'" she explained. "If you are conservative and that's how you are comfortable, more power to you. I respect you. You don't have to look at what I do."

Mirren herself said "one of the best things about getting older" is no longer being considered a sex symbol. The actress will next star in Collateral Beauty with Will Smith, Keira Knightley and Kate Winslet.