Kate Winslet Opens Up About Brutal Body Shaming and Being Told to Play “Fat Girl Parts”

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Kate Winslet recently discussed facing criticism about her body when she was younger and how it impacted both her personal life and career. She revealed this while being interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs program.

I’ve always been fascinated by acting, and Kate Winslet’s story really resonated with me. She apparently knew from a young age that’s what she wanted to do! She’s said she was particularly inspired by old photos of her grandparents when they were performing – seeing them on stage really sparked something in her.

She always felt comfortable acting, even when she was younger and mostly played minor roles. She never aspired to be the star and was happy supporting others on stage or screen.

As she grew older and became more dedicated to acting, she faced increasing challenges. She recalls a comment from a drama teacher after getting an agent – the teacher suggested she could succeed in the industry, but only if she was willing to take on specific types of roles.

Kate Winslet recalled a discouraging comment from a teacher who suggested she’d only find work playing characters specifically written for larger women. Reflecting on it later, Winslet expressed her dismay, saying, “It’s shocking what people say to kids.”

Kate Winslet shared that she was bullied at school for her appearance. Students would tease her, calling her names like “blubber,” and once even locked her in an art cupboard. These experiences helped her develop resilience at a young age. She explained, “I learned to have a pretty thick skin pretty early on.”

Kate left school at 16 and quickly began acting, landing a part in Peter Jackson’s Heavenly Creatures in 1994. However, despite this early success, she continued to struggle with issues from her past.

Kate Winslet has spoken about her difficult relationship with her body image, explaining she yo-yo dieted throughout her teens, from ages 15 to 19. She admitted there was a time she hardly ate anything and now understands how damaging that was, something she looks back on with regret.

When things were toughest during bullying, Kate Winslet threw herself into acting and her creative pursuits as an escape from school. She was determined not to let anyone derail her goals, stating, “I wouldn’t let them spoil a trajectory that I was determined I was on.” She also credited her supportive family with helping her get through it, saying, “At least I had a lovely family to go home to.”

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2025-12-22 10:45