After winning Best Supporting Actress at the 2016 BAFTA’s earlier this week, Kate Winslet recounted a touching and truly inspiring story, about how her past experiences could have altered her path in life.
Speaking about how she wishes she had said more during her acceptance speech, Winslet shared some ‘unsolicited advice’ from a teacher that has always stuck with her.
“When I was younger, when I was only 14, I was told by a drama teacher that I might do okay if I was happy to settle for the fat girl parts,” Winslet said.
It was this alarming comment that seemingly lit a fire under Winslet and gave her the drive and ability to, not only prove her teacher wrong, but eliminate such negativity from her life altogether.
She let media know that her experience should be a lesson to anyone feeling the pressure to succumb to somebody else’s idea of perfection.
“And what I feel like saying in those moments is any young woman who has ever been put down by a teacher, a friend, or even a parent: Just don’t listen to any of it, because that’s what I did,” Winslet continued. “I didn’t listen, and I kept on going and I overcame all my fears and a lot of insecurity.”
Winslet went on to dedicate her award to anyone who has ever battled low self-esteem and uncertainty.
“And just keep doing it and keep believing in yourself,” she said. “That’s what I felt like, I really had to dig deep, and I would dedicate [my BAFTA Award] to all the young women who doubt themselves because you shouldn’t be doubting. You should just be going for it.”
And what did she have to say to that teacher after all that?
“Look at me now! Look at me now…”
Related: Kate Winslet on body positivity “We’re all responsible for raising strong young women”