When Titanic was released in 1997, it was the first movie to cross the $1 billion mark. It held the record for the most money made in a movie until 2010 when another James Cameron production, Avatar, overtook it. But after its success, Kate Winslet, who played Rose, openly talked about how she experienced criticism of her body. She’s been thinking about it for years, but she does have one regret about how she handled it.
She regrets the tabloid mistreatment she endured at the beginning of her career.
The 47-year-old Academy Award winner spoke up on the Happy Sad Confused podcast ahead of the film’s twenty-fifth anniversary about her role in the 1997 James Cameron blockbuster, Titanic, including the “terrible” body criticism she endured from the public and media.
“They would comment on my size, they’d estimate what I weighed, they’d print the supposed diet I was on,” Winslet recalled. “It was critical and horrible and so upsetting to read.”
People and the media were so mean to her.
“Apparently, I was too fat,” Winslet told host Josh Horowitz as she revealed some of the more insulting arguments about why Jack (Leonardo DiCaprio) couldn’t fit on that door prior to his death. “Isn’t it awful? Why were they so mean to me? They were so mean,” she said.
But as time passed, she developed regrets about not giving a proper response.
Recalling the times when she was severely criticized for her body image, Winslet stated that if she could turn back the clock, she would have used her voice in a completely different way. “I would have said to journalists, I would have responded, I would have said, ’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.’”
Now she encourages everyone to embrace their bodies.
She and DiCaprio were under intense press coverage, but only she was the target of the offensive remarks. She has remained a proponent of body acceptance and has already given accolades to her daughter, Mia Threapleton, 22, and Generation Z for changing the way people talk about weight. Seems like her mommy taught her well!
Reiterating the strength of their bond, Leonardo DiCaprio’s comment on Kate Winslet’s physique during “Titanic” had a lasting impact. Highlighting the importance of her natural body shape, DiCaprio’s words resonated with Winslet, leading her to become a vocal advocate for body positivity. Their mutual support and genuine affection for each other have made them a symbol of enduring Hollywood friendships.
Before you go, we think it would be interesting if you read this article about Winslet and DiCaprio too. What would you do if you were in Winslet’s shoes? How would you react to such feedback? Share your thoughts in the comments, we can’t wait to read them!
