Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet has revealed that she faced body-shaming early in her career, long before becoming a household name. Winslet shared her experience on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, recalling a childhood drama teacher who told her: “Well, darling, you’ll have a career if you’re ready to settle for the fat girl parts.”
Reflecting on the incident, Winslet said, “It’s appalling the things people say to children. Look at me now.” She noted that such early experiences of judgment left a lasting impression, highlighting the harsh scrutiny young actors can face in the entertainment industry.
In addition to body-shaming, Winslet spoke about gender biases in Hollywood, explaining that she often received unsolicited advice during her directorial debut—advice she believes male counterparts would rarely encounter. “So they might say things like, ‘Don’t forget to be confident in your choices,’ and I want to say, ‘Don’t talk to me about confidence, because that’s one thing I’ve never lacked,’” she said.
Winslet also reflected on the intense media scrutiny following her breakout role in Titanic, describing how paparazzi intrusion left her feeling isolated and fearful: “There were people tapping my phone. They were just everywhere. I was terrified to go to sleep.”
Her directorial debut, Goodbye June, is currently playing in theatres, marking another milestone in her evolving career as both an actress and filmmaker.
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