A spokesperson for actress Helen Mirren has released a statement to Access Hollywood in defense of the Oscar winner, after Mirren’s comments concerning date rape and cocaine use made headlines across the world earlier this week.
On Monday, excerpts from Mirren’s interview with the British version of men’s magazine GQ were released and latched on to by not only the tabloids, but the newspapers in the actress’ native England.
“Helen Mirren does not dispute the accuracy of statements attributed to her in an upcoming GQ article. She merely asks that people read the article in its entirety before drawing conclusions. If they do that, she says, their conclusions will likely be far less sweeping and sensational than those drawn by some in the popular press,” her spokesperson Stan Rosenfield said in a statement to Access Hollywood. “She does not wish to qualify any of her remarks. She just wants to avoid having them presented in inflammatory language.”
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Among the comments that have attracted attention for the star of “The Queen” include her claims she had been date raped “a couple of times,” according to excerpts from the article, quoted by UK newspapers including The Guardian.
“Not with excessive violence, or being hit, but rather being locked in a room and made to have sex against my will,” Mirren was quoted as saying.
The actress went one step further, telling GQ that she didn’t think date rape could go to court even though she felt it was wrong.
[ All Access: Helen Mirren - Celebrities - Brits ]
“I don’t think she can have that man into court under those circumstances,” Mirren said, according to The Times.
The actress said she did not report the incidents.
“You couldn’t do that in those days,” Mirren reportedly said.
“It’s such a tricky area, isn’t it? Especially if there is no violence,” she continued, according to The Times. “I mean, look at Mike Tyson. I don’t think he was a rapist.”
In the interview, Mirren also admitted she had used cocaine.
“I loved coke,” she told GQ. “I never did a lot, just a little bit at parties.”
Mirren said she eventually gave up the drug after she realized it was supporting Nazi-turned-cocaine baron Klaus Barbie.
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