Kate Winslet opened up about a crew member’s suggestion to sit up straighter to hide her “belly rolls” while filming a bikini scene in Lee.

What’s the secret sauce to truly embodying a character on screen? Is it a dash of authenticity and a pinch of body positivity? Kate Winslet, our beloved Academy Award-winning chameleon (yes, the same one who played Rose in Titanic), has tossed caution to the wind as she prepares to portray the legendary photojournalist Lee Miller in the upcoming biopic Lee, directed by Ellen Kuras.

Kate Winslet in Lee | Credit: Sky Original
Winslet didn’t just step into Miller’s shoes; she practically did a waltz in them. But as she geared up for her performance, she encountered some less-than-stellar advice on set. A crew member suggested she suck in her stomach to conceal her “belly rolls” during a topless scene.

Lee: What We Can Learn From Kate Winslet’s Proud Message

In Tinseltown, where the quest for perfection often leads to a treadmill marathon and a strict salad-only diet, Kate Winslet, 48, is flipping the script. With her upcoming role as Lee Miller in the biopic Lee, she’s not just stepping into the spotlight; she’s making a bold declaration about self-acceptance and body positivity that could make even the most seasoned yoga instructor proud.

During the middle of filming, while she struck a pose in a bikini, a crew member suggested she “sit up straighter” to hide those “belly rolls”. And what did Winslet do? She shot back, saying (via Harper’s Bazaar):

There’s a bit where Lee’s sitting on a bench in a bikini… And one of the crew came up between takes and said: ‘You might want to sit up straighter.’ So you can’t see my belly rolls? Not on your life! It was deliberate, you know?

And honestly, if there’s anything we can learn from this moment, it’s that confidence is the best accessory. Earlier this month, while chatting with Time, Winslet recalled her reaction, stating:

You think I’m not aware you can see that? I just went, ‘I’m all good!’

Kate Winslet in Lee | Credit: Sky Original
And let’s not forget the part where Winslet made the conscious decision to ditch the gym routine leading up to filming. She told Harper’s Bazaar:

It is my life on my face, and that matters. It wouldn’t occur to me to cover that up. I think people know better than to say, ‘You might wanna do something about those wrinkles’ … I’m more comfortable in myself as each year passes.

She also noted that as the years rolled on, she felt increasingly at ease in her own skin, implying that self-acceptance was a journey that deepened with time.

Kate Winslet’s Bold Journey: No Sugarcoating & All Heart!

Let’s be honest, Kate Winslet has never been one to mince words.
Kate Winslet in Lee | Credit: Sky Original

During a recent chat at History Channel’s History Talks event (via Deadline) at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Winslet continued to voice her opinions, saying:

I quite like making statements. And actually, I have to say, I’m at the point where I’m just like, You know what? Life is too short.

The Iris star further pointed out the absurdity of the compliments she receives, such as:

But it is one thing that’s been happening to me quite a lot recently, people will say to me, ‘Oh, my God, so you were so brave in this performance, you had no makeup, and you look really kind of crappy. 

She even raised an eyebrow and asked:

Do we say to the men, ‘You were so brave, you grew a beard?’ 

And don’t get her started on the double standards around parenting. She tackled the age-old question:

Do we say, ‘How do you juggle being a father and having a career?’ I mean, we’ve got to change this dynamic. 

She emphasized the need for a much-needed shift in this narrative. At the same event, Winslet found herself in good company, mingling with Hollywood heavyweights like Kevin Costner, Kerry Washington, Eva Longoria, and John Legend.

As for Lee, the film is directed by Ellen Kuras in her feature debut, with a screenplay penned by Liz Hannah, John Collee, and Marion Hume. Winslet leads a talented cast that includes Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough, Andy Samberg, Noémie Merlant, and Alexander Skarsgård.

As the premiere of Lee approaches later this week, we’re not just excited for the film; we’re here for the powerful messages it carries.