Kate Winslet rose to stardom at 22 after starring in the critically-acclaimed Titanic but had to take steps back following the birth of her children three years later. As a woman in the entertainment industry, the actress was scrutinized for her physique, as women are often considered under the male gaze.
The actress opened up to The Times about it and expressed hopefulness over the changing clime in the industry.
Winslet said things are different now with the current generation who speak up for themselves and how the media is different. The actress said it wasn't the same when she was younger, as pregnancy and birth changed her body, causing her to add weight.
The Titanic actress said her agent received calls asking about her weight and offered her 'Fat Girl' roles. Winslet added that it's "heartwarming that this has started to change" with her daughter's generation.
Her latest HBO series, Mare of Easttown, focused on celebrating body positivity, starting with kicking against unrealistic standards. While filming a sex scene with her co-star Guy Pearce, the director, Craig Zobel, suggested digitally removing her bulgy belly but Winslet refused and demanded it stayed.
Embodying Mare meant so much to the actress because she wanted middle-aged women to see themselves in her hence their connection to the series.
Things have changed since Titanic, and Winslet reminisces while celebrating the 25th anniversary with James Cameron. The dynamic duo reunited for the second installment of Avatar, coming out this December.
Winslet said she doesn't like watching herself on screen and has never seen Titanic but plans to now that the movie is a cult classic and making waves 25 years later. The actress said,
"I guess I probably will watch it. You know people are talking about the 25 years — for us, it's actually longer..."
The nostalgia still hits Winslet and she's proud of herself for being part of such a big production.
She's starring in Avatar: The Way of Water which is more of a voice role due to its storyline. Winslet described her character Ronal as the female leader and Goddess of the Water Tribe who shelters the Sully family.
Unfortunately, as an Alpha female, she clashed with Neytiri, who's also a dominant character in the movie. Winslet believes we'll enjoy the portrayal of strong women in Avatar once it hits the theaters.
