Twiggy recalls nightmare interview with ‘misogynist’ Woody Allen as she claims he quizzed her on her favourite philosophers to ‘make her look stupid’

Twiggy has recalled a nightmare interview with Woody Allen which saw the filmmaker ask her about her favourite philosophers in a bid to ‘make her look stupid’.

Fresh off a breakthrough year which saw one newspaper brand the model ‘the face of 1966’, a 17-year-old Twiggy took the hot seat on the American host’s chat show as her career went from strength to strength. 

But the discussion did not go to plan with Woody throwing seemingly irrelevant questions at the rising star in front of a studio audience.

In an interview with The Guardian on the day a documentary about her life hits cinemas, Twiggy, now 75, joined the film’s director Sadie Frost in recounting her ascent to fame.

Among the hiccups along the way was the infamous appearance on Woody’s programme and Twiggy said of the incident: ‘He was trying to make me look stupid. My heart sank. I remember looking at him, pleading with my eyes for him to stop.

‘If I was the age he was there, in my 30s, I would never have behaved like that towards someone who was only 17.’ 

Twiggy (pictured, on Thursday) has recalled a nightmare interview with Woody Allen which saw the filmmaker ask her about her favourite philosophers in a bid to ‘make her look stupid’

The discussion did not go to plan with Woody throwing seemingly irrelevant questions at the rising star

Fresh off a breakthrough year which saw one newspaper brand the model ‘the face of 1966’, a 17-year-old Twiggy (pictured, in 1967) took the hot seat on the American host’s chat show

Sadie added that she had experienced similar behaviour across her own acting career.

The director said: ‘It’s definitely misogyny. I had it myself from men: “What classical composers do you know? What books have you read?”‘

It all backfired on Woody when the model threw the question back at the host whose mind blanked for an excruciating 10 seconds.

Twiggy also reflected on her relationship with ex-boyfriend and former manager Justin de Villeneuve, who initially acted as a reassuring presence for her father as her modelling career took off in the 60s.

At the time, the star was only 15 and 10 years younger than her partner, but she made sure not to criticise the businessman, noting his ability to ‘protect’ her.

Twiggy and Sadie looked back at various chat show clips which regularly saw Justin speak on his girlfriend’s behalf, despite her superior fame, and Sadie pointed out that he would probably have acted as a restraint on the model’s career had they not separated in 1973.

Last month, the former actress revealed she was left ‘shocked’ after she mistakenly thought a letter notifying her of her damehood was a tax notice.

The model, whose real name is Dame Lesley Lawson, was appointed a dame in the 2019 New Year Honours for services to fashion, the arts and charity.

The star also reflected on her relationship with ex-boyfriend and former manager Justin de Villeneuve (pictured, circa 1970), who initially acted as a reassuring presence for her father

Twiggy and Sadie Frost, who directs the upcoming documentary on her life, looked back at chat show clips where Justin spoke on his girlfriend’s behalf, despite her superior fame

The film, in cinemas on Friday, will tell the story of her upbringing, career and relationships, and features contributions from former Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney

Speaking to Saga Magazine, Twiggy said: ‘I was so shocked when it happened. I got this official letter and thought, “oh my God, it’s a tax letter”. 

‘Then I opened it and it was written in a kind of legalese language. I thought it was saying I was being made a CBE.

‘I called the phone number on the bottom of the letter and spoke to a really nice lady. I asked her if it was true I was being offered a CBE.

‘She said, “no, they are offering you a damehood”.’

Twiggy, in cinemas on Friday, will tell the story of her upbringing, career and relationships, and features contributions from former Beatles star Sir Paul McCartney, US actor Dustin Hoffman and fellow Dame Joanna Lumley.