Brian speaking out for women of Iran was so important.. we need to shine a light on what is happening there
Actor’s wife reveals her joy over his support for global mission
The wife of Succession starBrianCoxstruggles to hide her emotions as she tells of listening to him paying tribute to the brave women of Iran on the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve TV show.
Nicole A nsa r i - Cox – a successful actor, director, writer and producer – had rarely spoken publicly about either her political views or her Iranian heritage.
But everything changed after 22-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini was beaten to death in police custody for not properly wearing her headscarf, or hijab, in public.
Nicole, whose late dad was Iranian, said she couldn’t sit quietly by and not support what she hopes is a revolution that will bring down the Islamic Republic of Iran. an.
Nicole, who lives in New York with Brian n and their two sons, said: “When Brian was asked to be part of the New Year’s Eve celebration at Times Square – when he was asked to meet CNN’s s Anderson Cooper and nd Andy Cohen – I askedd him very shyly, ‘Darling, whenhen you have the mic, if there is a moment that is elegant, do you think you could maybe mention the women in Iran?’ and he did.
“It was such a big gesture because the dropping of the ball in Times Square is perhaps the most-watched New Year’s celebration in the world. Millions of people watch that. What Brian did was the greatest proof of love and support.”
Dundee- born Golden Globe winner Brian, who has starred in everything from Braveheart to The Bourne Supremacy, is now best known as playing Succession’s billionaire media tycoon Logan Roy.
But, for Nicole, him speaking out for Iranian women meant more to her than anything.
In the wake of Mahsa’s death, widespread protests broke out across Iran as its people demanded justice for her and freedom and civil rights for all women.
To date, more than 500 people – including 70 children – are believed to have been killed during the anti-government protests.
Nicole, who was born and raised in Germany, said that when she was growing up, her Iranian father always did his best to dissuade her from pursuing hher Iranian roots. She is both surprised and sshocked that she now findfinds herself as one of the western world ’s momost high- prof i le amambassadors for the pupublic protests being stagstaged in Iran.
NiNicole said: “I was tucked away in my room with CoviCovid when I heard what happenedtoMahappenedtoMahsa Amini and I just broke down. I couldn’t stop crying.
“I felt this was a part of me and that we have to help these women.
“I’m not a politician. I’ve never been this political in my life but, after Mahsa was killed, the horror of what was happening in Iran just became so apparent – and it was happening in such full daylight. I had to speak up.”
Inspired by women in Iran who were removing their hijabs and cutting their hair in protest at Mahsa’s death, Nicole took to social media and cut off her own hair.
Since then she has done everything from staging a high-profile protest at the International Emmys to speaking in front of thousands of people protesting in Washington
DC. Nicole, who has appeared across stage, film and television in hit shows including Law & Order, said: “The uprising in Iran has become an inspiration not only for Iranians but worldwide. We are emboldened and inspired to really stand up for women’s rights. Because women’s rights are human rights.
“In Iran a woman is valued at just 50 per cent of a man. When a father dies, the daughter will get 50 per cent less than a son. A woman can’t file for divorce. She can’t even leave the country without the consent of her husband.
“When I saw Iranian women cutting their hair in protest after Mahsa’s death, I thought, ‘Let me do that.’ Then I found cutting off hair is not just a drastic act of rebellion but it’s actually a practice that Iranians do when they are mourning. They cut off their hair to leave something with the deceased. I thought that was such a powerful gesture.”
Nicole received international praise after posting a video of her cutting her hair on TikTok.
Later her photograph appeared in newspapers aroundound the world after she attended the International Emmy Awards with the words “Women. Life. Liberty” – the slogan being used to represent the Iran protests – s c r awl e d across her chest.
She said: “I was on the jury of the e Internat ional l Emmys and I knew I would d have to glamour up for going on the red ca r pe t . Then I thought ‘ This is a platform. How can I use it?’”
Nicole also began work ing with a group of young I ra n ian actors and directors in America, staging protest per formances to ensure continued awarenessss of what is happening in IranIran.
She said: “I never expected that I would become a spokesperson for the Iranian people.”
Nicole, who appeared at the Edinburgh Festival last year in the play She/Her which was produced by Brian, said the women of Iran need the support of men and women across the world. She added: “Showing solidarity, especially if you are not of the culture, really helps.
“It’s helped Ukrainian people gain strength and feel supported and it’s doingg the same for the Iranian ppeople.” p
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