Winslet appeared on BBC Radio 4 to promote her new film and directorial debut 'Goodbye June'. Her new film will be released on Christmas Eve and will be available to view on Netflix.
During the interview, Winslet recalled a memory of when a drama teacher told her to "settle for fat girl parts."
Winslet explained that she had her heart set on being an actress from an early age as she was inspired by black and white photographs of her grandparents on stage. She said that she never dreamed on playing a lead role and was content with playing supporting characters.
“I was a little bit stocky, when I did start taking it much more seriously and got a child agent, I remember vividly a drama teacher…and she said to me, ‘Well, darling, you’ll have a career if you’re ready to settle for the fat girl parts’,” she explained.
"Look at me now," Winslet added, who went on to star in iconic films such as 'The Holiday', 'Titanic', and 'Sense and Sensibility' among others.
She continued to explain how she was teased in school by her peers and was called "blubber" by other kids. Winslet stated that she learned to have thick skin "from pretty early on," although these experiences later led to her having body image issues as she explained she was on and off diets from the age of 15 to 19. At 19 she expressed that she was "barely eating" and it was a time which she deeply regretted.
She explained that she tried to not let her bullys get to her and change the trajectory of her life. “I wouldn’t let them spoil a trajectory that I was determined I was on,” she said.
You can watch the trailer for Winslet's new film here.
