Kate Winslet endured intense criticism about her body in the early days of her career and has spoken openly about it in the past.
Now the 48-year-old actress is happy to see young stars standing up against fat-shaming and having a voice in the industry.
During an appearance on the Today Show, host Hoda Kotb called Kate a “champion for women,” but added, “But you didn't always lead your career that way because you were like a lot of young actresses.”
Kate replied: “It's really interesting how much it's changed.” And I think about the moments where I had to say, “Look, I'm going to be myself.” And I have curves. And thats me.”
On fat-shaming in the industry, she said: “That has changed.” And it has changed because young women are now born with a voice. They have a voice, they learn to keep it, they stand up for themselves.
Kate Winslet says it's “wonderful” to see young stars fighting back against “fat-shaming” after suffering “borderline abuse” early in her career
The 48-year-old actress previously criticized the “borderline abusive” body shaming she suffered from obsessive fans of the blockbuster film Titanic
“They know they are important.” They count for something. They are great together.
“I think it's an exciting time for younger actresses to come into an industry like this, which is huge.” But feeling held, supported and nurtured has made such a difference. It is wonderful.'
This comes after Kate revealed in an interview with The Sunday Times that she struggled with harsh criticism early in her career.
The actress recalled being told while she was in college that she would be cast in the role of the “fat girl.”
“It can be extremely negative,” she told the outlet. “People face more scrutiny than a young, vulnerable person can bear.”
Kate, who rose to fame in 1997 for her role as Rose in Titanic, says the tide is now changing.
“But things are really changing in the film industry,” she noted. “When I was younger, my agent would get calls asking, 'What's her weight?' That's no joke. So it’s heartwarming that this is now starting to change.”
In 2021, Kate opened up about the body criticism she experienced around the time she starred in the '90s film Titanic.
During an appearance on the Today Show, host Hoda Kotb called Kate a “champion for women,” but added, “But you didn't always lead your career that way because you were like a lot of young actresses.”
Opening: The Oscar-winning actress has spoken out about body shaming before, recalling that as a young actress in drama school she was told to settle for “fat girl” roles
Kate has criticized the “borderline abusive” body shaming she has suffered from obsessed fans of the blockbuster film Titanic.
The star became a household name after playing lovelorn Rose DeWitt Bukater opposite Leonardo DiCaprio as impoverished artist Jack Dawson in James Cameron's 1997 depiction of the early 20th century disaster.
Kate has since defended herself against cruel trolls who claimed her weight was the reason DiCaprio's character couldn't get to the floating door with Rose, ensuring they both survived the disaster that killed more than 1,500 passengers died after the boat hit an iceberg.
Instead, Jack was forced to grimly accept his inevitable death in subfreezing water while his beloved remained safely afloat.
On the latest edition of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Winslet addressed the crucial scene and said: “Apparently I was too fat.” Why were they so mean to me? They were so mean. I wasn't even fucking fat.'
Kate also reflected on how much she wished she had responded to the vile comments at the time.
She added: “I would have responded, I would have said, 'Don't you dare treat me like that. I'm a young woman, my body is changing, I'm figuring it out, I'm deeply insecure, I'm terrified. Don't make it any more difficult than it already is.
“It’s bullying, you know, and actually borderline offensive,” I would say.”
Kate was savaged by cruel trolls who claimed her weight was the reason DiCaprio's character couldn't get to the floating door with Rose to ensure they both survived
The Oscar-winning actress has spoken out about body shaming before, recalling that she was recently told in drama school to settle for “fat girl” roles, while her agent later asked her about her “weight.”
She said: “It can be extremely negative.” People are subject to more scrutiny than a young, vulnerable person can endure. But things are really changing in the film industry.
“When I was younger, my agent would get calls asking, ‘What’s her weight?’ That’s not a joke. So it’s heartwarming that this is now starting to change.”