EXCLUSIVE: Tilda Cobham-Hervey says she ‘definitely’ considers herself a feminist and reveals that playing Helen Reddy in Stan’s biopic I Am Woman inspired her to find her own voice
Actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey takes on the role of Australian-American singer and 70s feminist icon Helen Reddy in the Stan Original biopic I Am Woman.
And Tilda insists playing the Grammy award-winner on film has taught her a lot about being a brave and empowered woman.
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia at the film’s Sydney premiere on Tuesday, the 25-year-old said: ‘It’s inspired me to start finding my own voice.’
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EXCLUSIVE: Actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey (pictured) revealed how playing Australian-American singer Helen Reddy in Stan Original biopic I Am Woman inspired her own feminist journey. Pictured at Sydney’s blue carpet Stan Original premiere on Tuesday
The movie follows Helen Reddy’s rise to fame after arriving in New York with the promise of a recording contract that swiftly fades from her grasp.
A fearlessly ambitious and passionate singer, Helen went on to write and sing the famous song ‘I Am Woman’, which went on to become the anthem for the women’s movement in the 1970s.
Tilda, who was a finalist for the prestigious Heath Ledger Scholarship in 2014, said she’s grateful to have had the opportunity to represent Helen on screen.
‘It’s taught me a lot about myself. I feel like I learnt a lot. I was inspired by her bravery, her passion and her determination for her job, and how hard she fought to get where she was. It’s inspired me to start finding my own voice and to go out and write my own work and scripts,’ she said.
Iconic role: Tilda portrays Australian-American singer and 70s feminist icon Helen Reddy during her rise to fame in the 1970s. Pictured: Tilda in I Am Woman
‘It’s inspired me to start finding my own voice’: Tilda (pictured) said Helen’s bravery, passion and determination has motivated her towards writing her own work and scripts
‘I definitely consider myself a feminist’: Tilda proudly stated, but admitted there is still a lot that needs to be done when it comes to equal rights. Pictured portraying Helen during her Grammy win in 1973 in biopic I Am Woman
‘I definitely consider myself a feminist,’ Tilda proudly stated while on the red carpet, but admitted there is still a lot that needs to be done when it comes to equal rights.
‘There is a scene where Helen can’t get her own name on a bank card, and now that seems absurd, but the equal rights amendment still hasn’t been passed in America. I feel like there is a long way to go, but things have definitely shifted,’ she added.
Tilda, who usually resides in Los Angeles with her actor boyfriend Dev Patel, had to quarantine for 14 days in Australia ahead of safely attending the Sydney premiere.
While she has plans to return to America, the actress said she is enjoying being back on home soil for now.
‘I think right now it feels good to be back in Australia and do things like this [a film premiere], see people and have the ability to work.’
‘One thing that’s got me through has been able to sit at home and watch amazing stories and disappear into other worlds’: While the film hasn’t been able to have a proper cinematic run, Tilda is happy Stan subscribers will be able to enjoy the film at home
The film, which received a standing ovation during its world premiere at Toronto Film Festival in 2019, will be launching on Stan amid the coronavirus pandemic.
‘I have just been in America for the past five months, and the one thing that’s got me through has been able to sit at home and watch amazing stories and disappear into other worlds,’ Tilda said.
‘This film is a really hopeful story, and if it means people watch it in their homes and still get to have that experience, then that’s enough for me.’
I Am Woman premieres on Stan on Friday, August 28
Coming soon: I Am Woman premieres on Stan on Friday, August 28