A 2007 interviewer for "The New York Times" described her as "one of the few actors it makes sense to call beloved", noting that a 1994 article in "People" magazine awarded her a perfect score on its "lovability index." The "New Statesman" commented that she "has the kind of pulling power many younger and more ubiquitous actors can only dream of, while an article in "The Independent" has suggested that she could be considered Britain's most successful actress. She is a gay icon, and has asserted that she is "very proud of the fact", attributing her popularity among the LGBT community to her performance in "Mame."