The myth of Audrey Hepburn

 Audrey Hepburn is often seen as perfect. However, the real woman behind the myth was flawed; however, that is what makes her loveable, attainable and an icon in her own right. 

"God kissed her on the cheek and there she was", remarked Billy Wilder, who directed Audrey in Sabrina. During the making of the film, Audrey broke one of the ten commandments by embarking on an affair with William Holden, who at that time was married. She later dumped Holden upon learning he couldn't have children. Audrey had other affairs, including Albert Finney (who she should have married; they would have been the new Burton-Taylor couple) and Ben Gazzara, the latter of which she conducted when she was in her fifties. Audrey had difficult relationships with men; her two marriages (to Mel Ferrer and Andrea Dotti) were marked by insecurities and unfaithfulness. She was so scarred by the idea of marriage that she actively refused to marry her last partner, Robert Wolders, believing it was more romantic to stay with each other because they wanted to not because they had to. Audrey's affairs are rarely talked about while her perfection is emphasised. However, her affairs show her to be a flawed woman; someone who had difficult relationships and didn't know how to deal with them in the best way. But that what makes her attainable and more ordinary (even if contestants on the Jeremy Kyle show could relate to her). I am proud to be an Audrey Hepburn fan but there is a danger in seeing her as someone who couldn't do any wrong. 

Audrey also put herself down a lot. Copying that behaviour is dangerous for young girls and adults who are fans of her. I remember when I was very impressionable, around 14 or 15, and had just discovered Audrey, I would put myself down. If people such as Audrey, who had huge influence over fashion and film, put themselves down, then why should I, a girl doing her GCSEs, be praised? This behaviour was picked up by my concerned peers at the time. Audrey should have given herself far more praise! 

Another dangerous way to copy Audrey Hepburn is skinniness. Audrey weighed 98 pounds (7 and a half stone) whilst being 5ft 7. Throughout the noughties, skinniness was something to be achieved, and people such as Victoria Beckham and Kate Moss were emulated by people across the country. Audrey's skinniness was unhealthy (and was brought about by starvation in Holland in the Second World War) and I wouldn't be surprised if there are young girls and women who feel they have to be as skinny as her and have struggled with eating disorders. It must be emphasised more often that Audrey's skinniness was unhealthy and was brought about by severe malnutrition. 

Audrey had other few flaws which makes her relatable. For example, she went into a huff when learning that Marni Nixon would be dubbing her in all her songs in 'My Fair Lady' (although the first few notes of 'I could have danced all night' are hers) and walked off set. And she was hurt when learning that she wouldn't be nominated for an Oscar for her performance in MFL despite the fact she worked so hard - it was similar to my reaction when I found out my dissertation mark, which I slaved over. She had disagreements with directors (with Stanley Donen, for example, in Funny Face, where she didn't want to wear black socks) which makes her all the more human. 

It is dangerous seeing Audrey Hepburn as perfect because that would be normalising behaviours that weren't healthy. However, Audrey was a kind, compassionate and funny lady who dealt with adversity in her life like a pro and that is what should be remembered.