‘I Let Them Have It’: Kate Winslet Tearfully Recalls Being Body Shamed After Titanic Success

Kate broke down over the body shaming she has received throughout her career


by Grazia |
Updated on

Kate Winslet has tearfully recalled being body shamed after starring in Titanic at the age of 22.

Kate, now 49, attended the 1998 Golden Globes alongside her then co-star Leonardo DiCaprio in a black and white lace dress, where she was nominated for Best Actress in a Motion Picture for her iconic role as Rose.

While on the red carpet, an interviewer told the actress that she looked ‘a little melted and poured’ into the dress, before suggesting that she should have worn an outfit ‘two sizes larger’.

Leonardo DiCaprio Kate Winslet Golden Globes 1998
Kate was told she should have worn the dress 'two sizes larger' by an interviewer ©KATHY HUTCHINS/HUTCHINS PHOTO

During a recent interview, Kate broke down in tears as she was reminded of the moment.

As she rewatched the footage, Kate said, ‘It’s absolutely appalling. What kind of a person must they be to do something like that to a young actress who’s just trying to figure it out?’

But Kate says has got her own back for the remarks when she came face to face with the interviewer years later.

She said, ‘I let them have it. I said, “I hope this haunts you.” It was a great moment because it wasn’t just for me.

‘It was for all those people who were subjected to that level of harassment. It was horrific, it was really bad.’

Kate Winslet looks thoughtful in interview
Kate opened up on the 'appalling' moment in an emotional new interview ©YouTube/60 Minutes

The acting legend – who has gone on to win five Golden Globes since losing out in 1998 – revealed that body shaming has always been prevalent throughout her career, and even before she made her mark on Hollywood.

She continued to tell Australia’s 60 Minutes how an acting teacher had told her she was ‘fat’ prior to her finding fame.

Kate shared that the teacher had said to her, ‘Now, listen, Kate. I’m telling you, darling, if you’re going to look like this, you’ll have to settle for the fat girl parts.’

The actress explained, ‘I was never even fat. It made me think, “I’ll just show you – just quietly”.’

Kate Winslet wearing black dress at Lee premiere
Kate recalled how a drama teacher called her 'fat' before she was famous ©IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

And back in August, she told how a crew member on the set of her new movie Lee told her to ‘sit up straighter’ to hide her ‘belly rolls’.

She said at the time, ‘There’s a bit where Lee’s sitting on a bench in a bikini… And one of the crew came up between takes and said: “You might want to sit up straighter.” So you can’t see my belly rolls? Not on your life! It was deliberate, you know?’

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