In a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs, actress Kate Winslet candidly shared her experiences with fame following the monumental success of the film Titanic. Released on December 19, 1997, the movie skyrocketed Winslet into the global spotlight, bringing with it challenges she was unprepared to face.
Winslet described the overwhelming nature of her newfound fame, stating, “I didn’t want to be famous. I really didn’t.” The actress reflected on the toll it took on her mental health, saying that the constant attention from the media turned her life upside down. She noted the difficulties of maintaining her sense of self amid the scrutiny, adding, “It’s not necessarily an easy path to walk and to stay sane.”
During the production of Titanic, Winslet turned 21 and faced pressures regarding her body image. She recalled how director James Cameron encouraged her to improve her physical stamina for the role, which led to her working with a personal trainer. “They got me a personal trainer and I’ve never had a personal trainer since,” she shared, appreciating the discipline it brought to her life.
Despite the positive aspects of making Titanic, Winslet quickly realized that returning to a normal life was not feasible. The British press intensified their scrutiny, calling her “awful, terrible, actually abusive names.” She recounted instances where paparazzi would invade her privacy, revealing, “Going into shops and asking shopkeepers what I’d bought… going through my bins to look for my shopping receipts.”
Winslet described the horror of being constantly pursued by paparazzi. “I just felt like I couldn’t walk down the street without seeing myself on the cover of The Sun or The Daily Mail,” she said. The relentless attention left her feeling isolated and afraid. “There were people tapping my phone. They were just everywhere. And I was just on my own. I was terrified to go to sleep,” she recalled.
Despite these challenges, Winslet found solace in the support of close friends and understanding neighbors who helped shield her from the media frenzy. She expressed gratitude for those who looked after her during this tumultuous period, emphasizing, “It meant the world to know that someone was there.”
The conversation also touched on her experiences with paparazzi after her divorce from filmmaker Sam Mendes in 2010. Winslet shared that she was followed in New York City with her two young children, who were subjected to intrusive questions about the reasons for the split. “You just keep your mouth closed, you put your head down, and you keep walking,” she said, highlighting the protective instincts she felt as a mother.
Currently, Winslet is making her directorial debut with the film Goodbye June, which is set to be released on Netflix on December 24, 2023. The Christmas-themed film features a talented cast, including Toni Collette, Johnny Flynn, Andrea Riseborough, Timothy Spall, Helen Mirren, and Winslet herself.
As Winslet reflects on her journey, her insights serve as a reminder of the complexities of fame and the importance of personal well-being in the face of public scrutiny.
