Kate Winslet might be an Academy Award-winning actress, but she dealt with the same hardships many of us face growing up—that includes being a victim of bullying.
According to Vanity Fair, Winslet was very candid about her past struggles when speaking to children at a WE Day U.K. charity event taking place in London earlier this week.
“I had been bullied at school,” Winslet said. “They called me Blubber. Teased me for wanting to act. Locked me in the cupboard. Laughed at me.”
“I wasn’t the prettiest,” she continued. “I was even told that I might be lucky in my acting if I was happy to settle for the fat-girl parts. [Casting agents] would say, ‘You’re just not what we’re looking for Kate.’ I’d hear that a lot.”
Despite having to deal with these struggles, Winslet’s message towards the children was positive—encouraging the children that is she can overcome what she dealt with back in the 80s to have the success she has had, they can as well.
“I didn’t lock myself away and give up on my dream,” Winslet continued. “I fought back. I had to ignore the negative comments. I had to believe in myself. I had to choose to rise above it all, and I had to work hard. You have to be indestructible to do what you love, and believe that you are worth it. And sometimes that’s the hardest part.”
According to their website, WE Day is a celebration of youth making a difference in their local and global communities. WE Schools is the yearlong program that nurtures compassion in young people and gives them the tools to create transformational social change. This is exactly what we are striving for with the Rainbow Rabbit Anti-Bullying Educational Program, which is empowering children, parents and educators navigating their way through society.
Not every person in the public eye is as forthcoming as Kate Winslet has been in regards to difficulties they encountered growing up. However, the seven-time Academy Award nominee (she took home the prize in 2009 for her performance in The Reader) has always been very candid about her struggles with bullying. We can only hope that others in her profession will continue to come forward and do the same.
