Kate Winslet has revealed that her confidence took a hit when her weight was scrutinized in her twenties and started in the acting world.
The movie star, 45, explained that a lot of cruel comments “ messed with her impression of beauty ” and lamented being called “ candid ” when she tried to defend herself.
When Kate appeared opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic in 1997, comedian Joan Rivers joked, ‘If she’d just lost 5 pounds, Leo could have looked after the raft.’
Looking back: Kate Winslet revealed that her confidence took a hit when her weight was scrutinized in her 20s and started in the acting world (photo in 2018)
Kate told The Guardian, “In my twenties, people talked a lot about my weight. And I would be called to comment on my physical self. Well, then I got the label of being ballistic and candid. No, I was defending myself. ‘
When asked if the comments about her weight had any impact, Kate revealed, “It hurt my confidence. I didn’t want to go to Hollywood because I remember thinking, “God, if this is what they say to me in England, what will happen when I get there?”
It also disrupts your evolving impression of what is beautiful, you know? I felt very alone. For the simple reason that nothing can really prepare you for … that. ‘
Kate recalled, “ When I was in my 20s people talked a lot about my weight … it hurt my confidence ” (photo 23 in 1998)
Kate also spoke about her role in Ammonite, about real-life 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 film has ‘objectified women forever’ and that there was a great sense of ‘equality’ in the project.
Her co-star Saoirse previously explained why she wasn’t nervous about getting intimate with Kate in the romantic drama set in 1840s England.
Jibes: When Kate appeared in Titanic in 1997, comedian Joan Rivers joked that, ‘If she had just lost 5 pounds, Leo could have looked after the raft’
She told The Sunday Telegraph: ‘I wasn’t nervous, no. I never really feel nervous doing sex scenes because I’ve always worked with people I trust, which is huge, and I know not everyone can say that.
The five-time Oscar nominee added that the director, Francis Lee, let the pair move freely with the ‘choreography’ of the scenes, putting them both at ease.
“ It was great to have that authority over those intimate scenes, which often makes you feel incredibly vulnerable, but instead we felt empowered by it, ” Saoirse said.
‘We really had the feeling that we were steering the ship. There was a plan for us that we made for ourselves, so there were no surprises and nothing unexpected. ‘
Project: The actress said that working on Ammonite with Saoirse Ronan made her realize how film has ‘objectified women forever’ and that 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, released in 2011, following allegations of sexual assault against them.
She said, “I shouldn’t have worked with Woody or Roman [Polanski], and I will probably always struggle with that regret. It’s just unbelievable to me now that those men are so highly regarded in this industry, and for so long. ‘
However, Kate added that this is “ challenging everyone ” in the movie industry to deny that parts of their movies were highly coveted, which has only recently changed.
Polanski fled the United States in 1978 after being charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl and never returned.
Several other women have accused him of sexual misconduct in recent years, all of which he has denied.
Despite the allegations, Polanski won an Oscar in 2003 for directing the World War II drama The Pianist, as well as an award for best director at the Cesar Awards in France last February, leading several women out in protest.
‘What the hell was I doing?’: Kate admitted she was ‘sorry’ about working with directors Woody Allen and Roman Polanski (depicted in Allen’s Wonder Wheel)
Scandal: Polanski fled the US in 1978 after being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl, and never returned, he has also been charged with sexual misconduct by several women
Meanwhile in 1992, it was revealed that Allen, then 57 years old, was having an affair with his partner Mia Farrow’s then 21-year-old adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn.
After the scandal broke out, Farrow and Allen had a bitter and public breakup, accusing the revered director of sexually assaulting their adopted daughter, Dylan, seven.
Allen was investigated but never charged and has vigorously maintained his innocence ever since.
The allegations were brought to light again with the #MeToo movement when Allen’s son, the journalist Ronan Farrow, backed his sister Dylan’s and mother Mia’s abuse claims.
Sexual Assault: Meanwhile, in 1992, Allen’s ex-partner Mia Farrow accused the revered director of sexually assaulting their adopted daughter, Dylan, seven.