Kate Winslet revealed that her self-confidence took a hit when her weight was examined when she was in her twenties and started acting.
The 45-year-old film star explained that a bunch of cruel remarks tampered with her impression of beauty and lamented that she was called ‘outspoken’ when she tried to defend herself.
When Kate appeared in the Titanic opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in 1997, comedian Joan Rivers joked: “If she had only lost £ 5, Leo would have fit in the raft.”
Looking back: Kate Winslet revealed that her self-confidence took a hit when her weight was examined when she was in her twenties and started in the acting world (photo in 2018)
In an interview with The Guardian, Kate recalls: ‘In my 20s, people would talk a lot about my weight. And I will be called to comment on my physical self. Well, then I got this label that I am mischievous and outspoken. No, I was just defending myself. ‘
Asked if Kate influenced the remarks about her weight, Kate revealed: ‘It damaged my confidence. I did not want to go to Hollywood because I thought, ‘God, if that’s what they’re telling me in England, what will happen if I get there?’
‘It also hurts your evolving impression of what’s beautiful, you know? I did feel on my own. For the simple reason that nothing can really prepare you for it … ‘
Kate says: ‘In my twenties people would talk a lot about my weight … It hurt my confidence’ (at the age of 23 in 1998)
Kate also talked about her role in Ammonite, about the self-taught geologist Mary Anning and her romance with fellow scientist Charlotte Murchison, played by Saoirse Ronan.
The actress said that working on the film made her realize how the film ‘objectified women forever’ and that there was a great sense of ‘equality’ in the project.
Her co-star Saoirse had earlier explained why she was not nervous about getting intimate with Kate in the romantic drama set in England in the 1840s.
Jibes: When Kate appeared in Titanic in 1997, comedian Joan Rivers joked: “If she had only lost £ 5, Leo would have been able to fit on the raft.”
She told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘I was not nervous, no. I never feel really nervous about doing sex scenes because I’ve always worked with people I trust, who are many, and I know not everyone can say that.
The five-time Oscar nominee added that the fact that director Francis Lee made the couple move freely with the ‘choreography’ of the scenes, to make them both comfortable.
“It was great to have that authority over those intimate scenes, which can often make you feel incredibly vulnerable, but we feel empowered by it,” Saoirse said.
“We really felt we were steering the ship. There was a plan for us that we created for ourselves, so there were no surprises and nothing was unexpected. ‘
Project: The actress said working with Saoirse Ronan on Ammonite made her realize how film ‘objectified women forever’ and there was a great sense of ‘equality’ in the project
Elsewhere during her interview, Kate admitted that she now regrets working with directors Woody Allen on Wonder Wheel in 2017 and Roman Polanski in Carnage, which was released in 2011, following allegations of sexual assault.
She said: ‘I should not have worked with Woody or Roman [Polanski], and I will probably always struggle with this regret. It’s just amazing to me that these men and for such a long time are so highly regarded. ‘
Kate added, however, that it would defy “anyone” in the film industry to deny that parts in their films were highly sought after, which has only recently changed.
Polanski fled the United States in 1978 after being charged with the legal rape of a 13-year-old girl, and has never returned.
Several other women have accused him in recent years of sexual misconduct, which he has all denied.
Despite the allegations, Polanski won an Oscar in 2003 for directing the play The Pianist of World War II, as well as an award for best director at the French Cesar Awards last February, which led to several women from protest walked.
‘What did I do?’: Kate admits she’s sorry ‘with directors Woody Allen and Roman Polanski (pictured in Allen’s Wonder Wheel)
Scandal: Polanski fled the US in 1978 after being charged with legally raping a 13-year-old girl, and has never returned. He was also accused of sexual misconduct by several women.
Meanwhile, in 1992, it turned out that Allen, then 57, was having an affair with his partner Mia Farrow’s adoptive daughter Soon-Yi Previn, then 21 years old.
After the scandal broke, Farrow and Allen had a serious and public breakup, during which she accused the venerable director of sexually assaulting their adopted daughter, Dylan, seven.
Allen was investigated but never charged, and he has since vehemently maintained his innocence.
The allegations were again brought to the public eye with the #MeToo movement because Allen’s son, journalist Ronan Farrow, supported his sister Dylan and mother Mia’s abuse claims.
Claim of sexual assault: Meanwhile, Allen’s ex-partner, Mia Farrow, accused the venerable director in 1992 of sexually assaulting their adopted daughter, Dylan.