Kate Winslet confronts harsh body shaming in powerful new film

Kate Winslet has endured plenty of unpleasant comments about her appearance and weight throughout her life. Although she openly states that she is not ashamed of her natural body, someone on the set of her new film still made a remark.

For years, Kate Winslet's body has been subjected to constant criticism. Tabloids were filled with articles about her changing weight—especially when she started gaining popularity after "Titanic." "Apparently, I was too fat," the actress sarcastically summed up viewers' comments in a recent "Happy Sad Confused" podcast.

The actress now says outright that if she could turn back time, many journalists would hear from her: "Don’t you dare treat me like this. I’m a young woman, my body is changing, I’m figuring it out, I’m deeply insecure, I’m terrified, don’t make this any harder than it already is.’ That’s bullying, you know, and actually borderline abusive." In drama school, she was told outright that she was only fit for "fat girl" roles. And when she started appearing in films, her agent regularly commented on her figure.

For years, Winslet has fought against body shaming. Therefore, when she heard a comment about the "rolls" on her stomach on the set of her new film, she remembered the remark and shared it recently in an interview. As she recalls, in one of the scenes in the movie "Lee. In Her Own Eyes," her character sits on a bench in a bikini. Let's add that the titular Lee Miller was a true star of the 1920s. The model was portrayed, among others, by Pablo Picasso. These were times when models were not size zero, and their bodies differed from today's Hollywood or fashion industry standards.

Winslet recalls that during the shooting of the bikini scene, one of the production people approached her. "You might want to sit up straighter," she was told. "So you can't see my belly rolls? Not on your life! It was deliberate, you know?" the actress replied.

She explained that before starting work on the film, she stopped exercising. She wanted her body to become softer, with natural, fuller shapes. "I take pride in it because it is my life on my face, and that matters. It wouldn't occur to me to cover that up," she comments.

In "Lee. In Her Own Eyes," Kate Winslet undergoes several significant transformations for the plot. Her curves are emphasised when she plays a model and muse to artists of the 1920s. In the 1930s, Lee Miller began working as a photographer. When World War II broke out, she decided she had to help somehow.

Initially, she photographed the horrors of war in the UK, but at the end of 1942, she received war correspondent accreditation from "Vogue." She created dozens of iconic photos, visiting, among others, Nazi concentration camps. She witnessed the capture of Munich in 1945. Along with soldiers, she managed to enter Adolf Hitler's private apartment. It was there that the famous photo "Lee Miller in Hitler's Bathtub" was taken. This scene was recreated in the film.

The film Lee. In Her Own Eyes was shown at the Camerimage festival in Toruń in 2023. However, it will only now be released in wide release in UK cinemas. The premiere is scheduled for 13 September 2024.

In the latest episode of the "Clickbait" podcast, we talk about the terrifying "Evil Code," which many viewers cannot watch calmly. The repulsive Nicolas Cage will haunt your dreams. We also discuss the record-breaking "The Bear". Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, on Audioteka or Open FM. You can also listen below: