Oscar-winner Kate Winslet has been making headlines recently, not just for her portrayal of the iconic Elizabeth “Lee” Miller in the World War II film Lee, but also for her unapologetic stance on body positivity and authenticity in the film industry. Winslet, known for her bold performances and outspoken nature, has shared her views on what it means to be truly comfortable in one’s own skin, and she recently revealed what it was like dealing with body shaming after the release of Titanic (1997).
Kate Winslet shows her body in Lee (2024)
Lee introduces audiences to the remarkable life of Elizabeth “Lee” Miller, a groundbreaking war correspondent. Miller began her career as a fashion model in New York City, New York, before moving to Paris, France, where she established herself as a fashion and fine art photographer.
When World War II erupted, Miller became a war correspondent for Vogue, capturing some of the most harrowing and historical moments of the conflict, including the Blitz, the liberation of Paris, and the horrors of Buchenwald and Dachau.
In the film, Kate Winslet steps into Miller’s shoes, bringing to life not only her professional achievements, but also her personal struggles. It includes some nude scenes, and she was determined to present her body honestly on screen, something that’s often hailed as “brave” for female actors.
She told Time, “That’s not f*****g brave. I’m not an ex-postmaster fighting for justice. I’m not in Ukraine. I’m doing a job that matters to me.” Winslet has been vocal about the scrutiny female actors face when they appear without makeup or show their bodies on camera. “We’re just doing our job,” she said.
Kate Winslet refused to hide her ‘belly rolls’
During the filming of Lee, Kate Winslet encountered an incident that highlighted the pressure on women to conform to certain beauty standards. She recounted to Harper’s Bazaar UK how a crew member implied she should adjust her posture, to conceal her “belly rolls.” It was during a scene where the actor was wearing a bathing suit.
Winslet was quick to shut down the suggestion, stating, “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?”
Winslet made a point of ensuring her body was visible in its natural state while sitting on a bench.
Bare-faced and proud
When asked whether she minds looking “less-than-perfect” on screen, Kate Winslet’s response was clear. “The opposite,” she said. “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.”
The actor’s philosophy is about embracing one’s true self. “People know better than to say, ‘You might wanna do something about those wrinkles,'” she added. “I’m more comfortable in myself as each year passes. It enables me to allow the opinions of others to evaporate.”
Kate Winslet faced harsh body shaming after Titanic (1997)
In a December 2024 interview with 60 Minutes, Kate Winslet recalled the harsh comments she received about her body following the release of 1997’s Titanic, tearing up as she discussed the impact it had on her at the time.
“It was absolutely appalling,” she shared. “What kind of person must they be to do something like that to a young actress who’s just trying to figure it out?”
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When asked if she’d ever confronted someone for their comments about her body, Winslet said she actually had. “I did get face-to-face. I let them have it,” she recalled. “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.”