Dame Helen Mirren thinks Beyoncé Knowles is “quite extraordinary”.
The 68-year-old actress was honoured at Harvard University with a 2014 Hasting Pudding Award, a prestigious accolade given to thespians from the institution’s renowned theatre group, the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.
And during her acceptance ceremony, Helen acknowledged other performers she highly respects.
"I thinks [Beyoncé’s] quite extraordinary. I had the great opportunity to be on the same stage as her, not on the same time, but I was in the wings, at the Kennedy Center Honors, and she was performing, and I was kind of watching her prepare," the Hollywood legend told attendees.
"She had this incredible sense of concentration and energy and preparation. I was very impressed by that. Standing in the wings watching her was this explosion of energy. Quite spectacular."
Helen was then asked what advice she has for “all the single ladies” out there.
And although she is happily wed, she doesn’t think everyone needs marriage to be happy.
"My advice to single women probably is to stay single as long as you can," she said, before turning to her husband of nearly 17 years Taylor Hackford. "I love you darling. And you know a relationship is a wonderful thing, but it's not necessary to be happy and successful in life."
The Hasting Pudding Award celebrations also saw Helen twerk onstage and parade around town with two drag queens.
The actress is currently filming The Hundred-Foot Journey, which is slated for release later this year.
