DAME HELEN AND KYLIE
A giant of stage and screen who has starred in numerous lavish productions, Dame Helen Mirren’s new project was on a significantly smaller scale – but it is no less epic.
At the age of 78, the awardwinning actress has become the latest famous figure to be immortalised by toymaker Mattel with her very own Barbie, as part of its Role Model series.
The doll (above right and above left, held by Dame Helen) depicts the star in the cornflower-blue outfit (above centre) she wore to last year’s Cannes Film Festival, which she called “one of my favourite-ever red-carpet looks”.
Wearing a perfectly proportioned Del Core dress (and matching hair), the plastic mini-me also carries a tiny Oscar to match the one she won in 2007 for The Queen.
Being chosen to be a Barbie, said Helen, ranked alongside becoming a dame, getting her Academy Award and having a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “[It] is a huge compliment and something I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams happening to me at this stage in my life.”
Similarly thrilled was 55-year-old Kylie Minogue (left and below), whose Role Model doll (right), dressed in Padam Padam red, was also unveiled.
In an Instagram post, the singer and Brits Global Icon told fans: “Baby Kylie would NOT believe this is happening right now…”
KATY PERRY
Established to help change the record when it comes to female artists, Billboard’s Women in Music awards event celebrates talent – with some pretty jawdropping fashion thrown in.
Among those going all-out at this year’s ceremony at Los Angeles’s YouTube Theatre was Executive of the Year award presenter Katy Perry, whose style reached new heights thanks to a pair of vintage Vivienne Westwood shoes so vertiginous she told one interviewer: “I’m focusing on not falling over right now.”
The ceremony was 39-year-old Katy’s first high-profile appearance since it was announced that she is leaving US TV talent show American Idol after seven series serving as a judge.
As for whether that means new music, she said: “That is my very first industry, being a musician… I’m very excited for this year.”
Also keeping fans on their toes was Ice Spice (below left), who was presented with the Hitmaker Award by “big, big fan” Ellie Goulding. Asked about her new album Y2K, the US rapper said: “Stay tuned: you’re going to be pleased.”
Hosted by Tracee Ellis Ross – who told the crowd: “I love doing anything in celebration of women,” – the evening featured performances by honorees including Charli XCX and Maren Morris.
No stranger to awards, Jess Glynne (below) was among the well-known faces (and voices) in the audience. She shared her excitement on Instagram, uploading a story filmed en route to the show: “On my wa
