Kate Winslet Shares Some of Her “Intimate Experiences” Were With Women

by

A woman’s heart may be a deep ocean of secrets, but Kate Winslet isn’t afraid to dive in. 

While talking about her 1994 film, Heavenly Creatures – where she and Melanie Lynskey played teenage girls with an intense friendship – Kate Winslet revealed something personal she’d never shared before.

In a recent interview on the Team Deakins podcast, the star of Avatar: Fire and Ash revealed something personal for the first time. She explained that her first romantic experiences as a teenager were with girls.

At that time, I’d been with both women and men, but I hadn’t really figured out what I preferred,” the 50-year-old said.

Reflecting on those experiences, Winslet explained that she was very curious at that point in her life. She was deeply moved by the strong bond between the two women, and immediately drawn into their complicated world. However, she also recognized that this world was ultimately destructive, fueled by their deep-seated insecurities and vulnerabilities.

Just a warning – after about thirty years, the connection between her character and Pauline takes a dark turn, leading to them both killing Pauline’s mother.

Honestly, that film was a total game-changer for Kate Winslet! It really launched her career, and she quickly followed it up with incredible roles in films like Sense and Sensibility and Hamlet. Then, of course, came Titanic, which took her to a whole new level of global fame. It was amazing to watch her rise!

That’s not to say there weren’t some rough waters for her to endure. 

Kate Winslet recalled being told early in her career that her opportunities would be limited by her body type. Appearing on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, she shared that a drama teacher once told her, ‘You’ll find work if you’re willing to only play the roles of the ‘fat girl.’ ” She remembered this conversation vividly, noting it happened after she began working with a child agent.

Reader, she did not.

“See, I’m doing okay now,” Winslet continued. “That comment really wasn’t kind, was it? It’s shocking what people will say to kids.”

Still, she “barely” ate from age 15 to 19. 

Kate Winslet says her biggest regret is how much she worried about her weight. For years, she was consumed by unhealthy eating habits – either not eating enough or obsessing over what she ate. She’d start each day anxious about whether she appeared to have gained weight, and this cycle continued for a long time.

Kate Winslet recalled being bullied in school, with classmates calling her names like ‘Blubber.’ She directly addressed her tormentors, saying, ‘You were really mean to me, and you should feel bad about it.’ But instead of letting it get her down, she used those experiences as motivation to achieve her goals.

Kate Winslet explained that she developed resilience at a young age. When she faced bullying at school, she coped by immersing herself in her theatre group and other creative pursuits, effectively minimizing the impact of the bullies.

The director of Goodbye June felt strongly that nothing should distract them from the path they had chosen, stating, “I wouldn’t let them spoil a trajectory that I was determined I was on.”

Everyone faces criticism, and this celebrity is no exception when it comes to unfair comments about her body. Here’s a look at how other stars have responded to similar negativity.

Ava Phillippe, Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe’s daughter, shared on TikTok that she recently experienced something upsetting: two strangers made comments about her body. She posted about it on May 3rd, calling it a significant moment for her as a woman online.

She explained that one person told her she should use Ozempic because of her weight, while another accused her of starving herself. She pointed out that her weight hadn’t changed during that time, and even if it had, it wouldn’t be anyone’s concern.

Ava emphasized that everyone deserves to be treated with respect, regardless of their appearance. She explained that you never know the challenges someone is facing, and true beauty goes far beyond how someone looks.

Following negative comments about her body, the singer of “I’m Good” responded to her critics, explaining she’s had enough of being judged for her appearance. In a tweet on June 23rd, she wrote, “I know I’ve gained weight, and I’m just tired of people talking about it. Let’s move on!”

In another post, the 33-year-old explained that people’s weight naturally changes, and you never know the reasons why. She mentioned things like medication or illness can play a role.

Following criticism about her appearance in an Instagram photo, the actress known for The House Bunny responded to those commenting on her weight. She explained that while she usually doesn’t feel the need to address such comments, she wanted to speak out against body shaming. She said she was upset by the inappropriate remarks left on her photo, especially because she was just having fun with silly pictures. She noted that the angle of the photo made her appear thinner than she is, but emphasized that it’s never okay to leave unsolicited and judgmental comments about anyone’s body.

She explained that commenting on her weight – whether saying she’s too thin or needs to eat – is hurtful and a form of body shaming. She made it clear she won’t tolerate any kind of body shaming.

Over a week later, she posted a bikini photo with a message for her critics, playfully writing, “To those who dislike… with love and gratitude, I send a kiss [kiss emoji] and a peach [peach emoji]. I’ll keep smiling no matter what [peace sign emoji].”

 

In February 2021, the actress publicly addressed rumors about her being pregnant. The speculation started after photos of her on a film set in Australia, wearing a dark blue tank top, circulated online. She directly criticized a news outlet, the New York Post, in an Instagram post, stating that it was unacceptable for people to comment on a woman’s body in 2021, and asking them to do better.

Christina Hall, known from the show Flip or Flop, recently addressed online criticism about her body. In a video posted to Instagram on February 7th, she explained that she’s at her natural weight, and people are simply noticing the changes after her pregnancies. She reassured fans that she’s healthy and doing well, asking them not to worry about her appearance.

The singer, who recently faced criticism online about her body and weight, responded to the negativity without saying a word.

During her performance at Manchester Pride 2025, she wore a large T-shirt featuring a graphic of a woman in a cropped tank top and black push-up bra.

After her separation from Jim Edmonds, the former Bravo star asked fans to stop commenting on her weight. She admitted on Instagram in December 2019, ‘I’m too thin,’ and responded to comments like ‘Eat a burger.’ She added that she deserves understanding and is prioritizing her children while handling things with as much grace as possible.

The famous singer recently responded to criticism about their weight, telling Entertainment Tonight, “What’s wrong with how my body looks? I’ve always been naturally thin. I dance ballet, stretch regularly, and exercise because it’s good for my overall well-being—mind, body, and spirit.”

If you put yourself out there, you’re bound to face some criticism, and that’s okay. I prioritize my own well-being, letting go of anything that doesn’t serve me. I trust my team to handle any fallout from my decisions, and ultimately, I’ve learned you can’t try to make everyone happy.

Back in June 2020, Lizzo responded to people criticizing her body. In a TikTok video, she explained that she’s been consistently working out for five years, but not to meet anyone else’s standards. She clarified that she exercises to achieve her personal fitness goals, and that’s no one’s concern. She powerfully stated that she is beautiful, strong, capable, and focused on her work.

The singer behind the hit “Confident” has consistently spoken out against body shaming. In a 2016 interview with Glamour, she explained that when someone calls her fat, even when she’s feeling insecure, she just laughs it off. She thinks, “I’m doing my best, so what can I do?” She also pointed out that she doesn’t have a six-pack, and honestly, she doesn’t even want one.

Following the actress’s decision to share a nude photo online, a user criticized her, writing in a now-deleted tweet that it was inappropriate for someone in their 50s to post such content, suggesting she should be enjoying time with her grandchildren instead. The commenter lamented what they perceived as a loss of grace and dignity in aging.

Halle quickly responded with a playful comment, asking, “Did you know a shrimp’s heart is in its head?”

Okay, so I was scrolling through and saw that Camila actually addressed all the negativity online, and honestly, it was everything. She said she’d been avoiding social media on purpose because she didn’t want to see stuff that would upset her, but then she accidentally caught a headline about people… body shaming her. And her first reaction? Total panic about what the pictures must look like! She was worried about cellulite and not sucking in her stomach, which, relatable, honestly! But then she had this amazing realization: of course there are bad pictures! Her body isn’t made of stone! It’s not all muscle! And that got her thinking about all the young girls growing up now, constantly bombarded with photoshopped images. She’s worried they think that’s real life, that everyone looks perfect all the time, and that airbrushed skin is the norm. She said it’s so fake, and it’s becoming what people expect to see. And she’s right! She wrote the whole thing for her little sister, and for all the girls growing up on social media, to remind them that cellulite and fat are normal and beautiful! She said she’s not buying into that BS, and honestly, it was so empowering. She basically told negativity to get lost, and I’m totally with her on that! It was just… perfect.

In May 2019, the singer shared a video of her performance at the Hangout Music Festival, where she was wearing a black leotard. Someone commented on social media, questioning why she didn’t appear as curvy as she used to, referencing a previous collaboration with two male country artists. The singer responded directly, stating she had gained weight and asking people to accept it.

She criticized the fashion industry, saying some designers wouldn’t dress her for the Grammys because of her size. In a January 2019 Instagram post, she urged the industry to promote body positivity instead of making women feel insecure about their size, stating, “We are beautiful any size!” She proudly declared she would still attend the Grammys, regardless, and encouraged everyone to love their bodies. #LOVEYOURBODY

The celebrity had shared a photo of her family celebrating the Golden State Warriors’ win over the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals. She was pictured holding her son, Canon, when someone commented and asked if she was pregnant again.

She said no way, laughing, and explained that her 30-pound son was making it difficult to pose for pictures because he was so heavy.

Someone else commented that if the child weighed 30 pounds, they would have significant health problems. The cookbook author quickly responded, shutting down the negative comment with a simple, “Excuse me? Absolutely not.”

Only a week after giving birth, the podcast host used Instagram to connect with her fans.

I’m so frustrated and needed to share this, honestly. I almost posted a photo of my stomach to show my progress toward getting healthy again, but I’m glad I didn’t. I’m cropping it now because of the rude comments I received on my last photo. Let me be clear: I didn’t have a tummy tuck, I don’t have a personal chef, and I don’t have endless money to spend on training. Yes, I had a C-section, and I’m still recovering with pain medication, but I have a high pain tolerance. I’ve had three stomach surgeries total – my appendix, gallbladder, and C-section. In that previous photo, I was wearing a belly wrap and high-waisted pants, and now I find myself having to defend myself! Why? If I had posted the unedited photo, I probably would have been criticized anyway, even though I was trying to be open about my recovery. Why do women feel the need to compare and then shame each other? I ask myself this all the time. Why can’t we accept that we’re all different? Our bodies are uniquely beautiful, heal at different rates, and simply look different. Why do we shame someone for not fitting a certain mold, or feel bad about ourselves for looking the way we do? Can’t we be kinder to ourselves and recognize that every woman’s journey is unique, yet we’re all beautiful? Let’s try to lift each other up instead of tearing ourselves down through comparison. I love you all. Now, back to my baby.

I remember back in April 2018 when Candace Cameron Bure posted a sweet picture of her having dinner with her son, Lev. It was so innocent, but then some awful troll commented on it, basically saying that despite all her workouts, she still looked heavier than her husband and asked if she’d changed her diet. It was a really rude and uncalled-for comment, and I couldn’t believe someone would say something like that!

The actress quickly responded to the negative comment. She wrote, “If a 25-inch waist seems large to you, it’s because you’re viewing it with unrealistic expectations. Take care.”

Read More

2025-12-29 18:48