Kate Winslet recalls confronting press over body shaming, hopes harassment "haunts" them forever

Kate Winslet recalled a deeply emotional moment during her "60 Minutes" interview, where she addressed the "horrific" body shaming and harassment she endured following the success of Titanic. In an emotional exchange, Winslet revealed how she confronted the press after being relentlessly bullied about her weight in the years following the 1997 blockbuster. Winslet, who became an international star after Titanic, was subjected to cruel comments about her appearance, including one on-air remark where she was criticized for looking "a little melted and poured into" a dress, with the suggestion that she would look better if she wore a larger size.

The Oscar-winning actress called the incident "absolutely appalling," and questioned the cruelty of those who engaged in such behavior. "What kind of a person must they be to do something like that to a young actress just trying to figure it out?" Winslet asked during the interview.

In a particularly powerful moment, Winslet recalled confronting the press directly, telling them, "I hope this haunts you," as she stood up for herself and others who had faced similar treatment. As she fought back tears, she emphasized that the encounter wasn't just for her but for everyone subjected to such harassment. She described the experience as "horrific" and noted that it went beyond typical bullying, bordering on abuse.

Winslet also shared that during her early career, she was discouraged from aspiring to lead roles and was instead advised to accept "fat girl" roles. The weight-related criticism reached a peak with Titanic, where viewers mocked her character's body, even suggesting that Rose was too large to survive the freezing waters with Jack. Winslet said the bullying lasted for years and was a painful part of her rise to fame.