Ralph Fiennes Brings “Very Demure, Very Mindful” Energy to CNN’s New Year’s Eve Special

Ralph Fiennes delivered a hilarious monologue on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live, leaving Anderson Cooper in stitches with his take on the viral “very demure, very mindful” trend 

Ralph Fiennes rang in 2025 with charm, humor, and a viral twist on CNN’s New Year’s Eve Live With Andy Cohen & Anderson Cooper. Known for his commanding performances on screen, the Conclave star showed a different side of himself during a lighthearted segment inspired by TikTok’s “very demure, very mindful” trend.

The viral phrase originated from beauty influencer Jools Lebron, who used it to describe her minimalist approach to makeup. During the broadcast, co-host Andy Cohen challenged Fiennes to recreate the now-famous moment with his own spin. Ever the performer, Fiennes agreed, delivering a mock-serious monologue that had Anderson Cooper laughing so hard he nearly fell out of his chair.

“Well, look, this is how I do my makeup for work. Very demure, very mindful,” Fiennes began in a calm, matter-of-fact tone, mimicking the TikTok original. His comedic flair shone as he added pointed critiques of over-the-top makeup styles, quipping, “A lot of you girls go to the interview looking like Marge Simpson, looking like you are going to look like Patty and Selma. Not demure. Not demure. But, I am very modest.”

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The actor closed his monologue with a dry but cutting line: “Be mindful of why they hired you. Here’s a reality check, diva. What’s the name you want me to make it out to?” Cooper, overcome with laughter, admitted, “I liked that very much,” while Cohen applauded Fiennes’ comedic timing.

Fiennes’ appearance wasn’t all laughs, however. Earlier in the night, Cohen praised his powerful performance in Conclave, a role that earned him a Golden Globes nomination for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. The film, which explores political intrigue within the Vatican, has been widely celebrated for Fiennes’ nuanced and captivating portrayal.

With a Golden Globe nomination, a viral TikTok moment, and the ability to make even Anderson Cooper lose his composure, Ralph Fiennes proved he can effortlessly balance gravitas and humor as he steps into the new year.

Read our full review of Conclave here