In a candid and deeply personal revelation, acclaimed British actress Kate Winslet has disclosed that some of her earliest intimate encounters as a teenager were with women. The Oscar-winner made the admission while reflecting on her breakthrough role in the 1994 film Heavenly Creatures.
A Personal Connection to a Formative Role
Speaking on the Team Deakins podcast, the 50-year-old star discussed her portrayal of Juliet Hulme in Peter Jackson's drama-thriller. The film explores the intense and ultimately dangerous friendship between two teenage girls, played by Winslet and Melanie Lynskey. Winslet explained that she drew from her own adolescent experiences to understand the powerful emotional dynamic at the story's core.
"I'll share something I've never shared before," Winslet told the podcast. "Some of my first intimate experiences as a young teen were actually with girls. I'd kissed a few girls, and I'd kissed a few boys, but I wasn't particularly evolved in either direction."
She elaborated that this period of curiosity helped her grasp the profound connection depicted in the film. "At that stage in my life, I certainly was curious, and I think there was something about the really intense connection that those two women had that I profoundly understood," she said.
From Breakout Role to Global Stardom
Heavenly Creatures marked a pivotal moment for both Winslet and director Peter Jackson. For Winslet, it was her first major film role, and she confessed she had "never held a film script" before her audition. For Jackson, it represented a shift from his earlier horror work into dramatic filmmaking.
The film's success launched Winslet's stellar career. She quickly followed it with roles in Sense and Sensibility, Jude, and Hamlet before achieving global fame in 1997's Titanic alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.
A Longstanding Advocate for LGBTQ+ Representation
Winslet, who is married to Edward Abel Smith, has consistently used her platform to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and representation in Hollywood. She has spoken out about the industry's persistent homophobia and the pressure on actors to conceal their sexuality.
In a 2021 interview with The Sunday Times, she revealed knowing several actors, both well-known and newcomers, who are "terrified" their sexuality will be revealed and harm their chances of securing straight roles. "I can think of at least four actors absolutely hiding their sexuality," she stressed. "It’s painful. Because they fear being found out."
She also cited an instance where a "well-known actor" was advised by their American agent not to publicise their bisexuality. Winslet has aimed to normalise same-sex relationships through her work, notably starring as paleontologist Mary Anning in the 2020 film Ammonite, which depicted a secret romantic relationship with a woman, played by Saoirse Ronan.
While promoting that film, Winslet noted she faced more questions about its lesbian love scenes than about any heterosexual roles she had undertaken. The actress, whose past relationships have been with men, continues to be a vocal ally for greater openness and acceptance within the film industry.
