Kate Winslet loves to see change in Hollywood because what she experienced as a young star after the success of Titanic still haunts her to this day. However, the tide of body-shaming isn’t turning because everyone in the entertainment industry suddenly woke up and decided to be kinder, it’s because of something far different.
The 48-year-old actress appeared on the Today show this week and revealed exactly who is pushing the body image narrative in the right direction. “You know, it’s really interesting how much it [the industry] has changed,” Winslet began. “And I think about the moments I did have to kind of say, ‘Well, look, I’m going to be myself and I have curves, and this is who I am,'” she explained. “There was a lot of kind of, fat-shaming that would go on back in the day, and that has changed because young women now, they’re born with a voice.”
Winslet has seen this change firsthand because her 23-year-old daughter, Mia Threapleton, from her first marriage to Jim Threapleton, is also an actress. “They have a voice. They’re learning how to hang on it. They stand up for themselves. They know that they matter. They count for something,” she continued. “They’re great together. It’s an exciting time for younger actresses to be coming into an industry like this one — which is huge — but to feel held, supported, nurtured. It’s changed so much. It’s wonderful.”
The Oscar winner was right around the same age as her daughter when she was thrust into the spotlight, thanks to the success of Titanic. However, she was constantly criticized about her body, with critics even going as far to say that Jack didn’t survive because Rose was too big and there was no room to float together. Winslet told the Happy Sad Confused podcast in 2022 that she wishes she had Mia’s bravery back then.
“I would have used my voice in a completely different way,” Winslet noted. “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.’ That’s bullying, you know, and actually borderline abusive, I would say.”
While Hollywood wants to pat itself on the back for doing better, it’s Gen Z and the Alpha Gen who is holding people accountable. There’s no body-shaming allowed on their watch.
Before you go, click here for more celebrities who’ve spoken out about being body-shamed.
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