Kate Winslet Says Fame After ‘Titanic’ Was ‘Horrible’
Kate Winslet attends the world premiere of James Cameron's "Avatar: The Way of Water" at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on December 06, 2022 in London, England.
Though Titanic was Kate Winslet’s breakthrough role, there are parts of the aftermath that she could have done without. The award-winning actress, 48, opened up to PORTER for the magazine’s latest cover story about the discomfort she felt following the release of James Cameron’s 1997 tragic romance film. She admitted feeling pressured to “look a certain way” or “be a certain thing.” At this point in time, media coverage was “so significant” in their intrusion that the English actress found her life to be “quite unpleasant.”
Journalists would even criticize her to her face about the smaller roles she took on after the Titanic. She would respond back, “You bet your life I did! Because, guess what, being famous was horrible.'” Following the Titanic, Winslet decided to pursue independent productions because she believed she “still had a lot to learn” and was unprepared to be a star.
Titanic‘s Legacy
Today, the Mare of Easttown star doesn’t feel any burden from Titanic, as the film continues to bring people “huge amounts of joy.” The film is still regarded as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” by the Library of Congress. It was selected in 2017 for preservation in the United States National Film Registry, 20 years after it debuted in theaters. Director James Cameron was initially reluctant to cast Winslet, preferring other actresses: Claire Danes and Gwyneth Paltrow. Winslet pleaded with the director at the time, “You don’t understand! I am Rose! I don’t know why you’re even seeing anyone else!” Cameron later reflected on the effects of the Titanic on Winslet, stating: “I think Kate came out of Titanic a bit traumatized by the scale of the production and her responsibility within it.”
It’s not the first time Winslet has talked about her fame following Titanic. In 2021, she recalled going “into self-protective mode right away” because she felt “bullied” by the UK media. With her sudden fame, Winslet found herself criticized and faced “personal physical scrutiny.” Naive to thinking the press coverage would pass, she later realized that was what came with fame.
Leonardo DiCaprio's Best Movies, Ranked
Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born on November 11, 1974, in Los Angeles, California. Known for his work in biographical and period films, the actor and producer disliked public school and wanted to audition for acting jobs instead. He dropped out of high school, eventually earning a general equivalency diploma (GED). As a child, DiCaprio liked impersonating characters and imitating people, and enjoyed seeing their reactions to his acting. His interest in performing began at age two when he went onto the stage at a performance festival and danced spontaneously to a positive response from the crowd. Leo’s first television appearance was in the children’s series Romper Room at five years old, but he claimed he was fired off the show for being disruptive. In a 1994 interview, he said it was his favorite show, but “they couldn’t control me. I would run up and smack the camera, and I’d jump around and do my little flips and routines. I wish I could get that tape now.”
Commercials and Failures
At 14, he began appearing in several commercials for Matchbox Cars, which he calls his first role. He played “a little gangster with slicked-back hair.” Though he was “so incredibly nervous,” the lesson that he learned was to learn his lines. His advice for aspiring actors is to “just get that over with because once you learn your lines, then you can kind of settle in to all the other moments in a scene.” DiCaprio later appeared in commercials for Kraft Singles, Bubble Yum, and Apple Jacks. His first television role was in 1989, playing the role of Glen in two episodes of The New Lassie.
At the beginning of his career, an agent suggested he change his name to Lenny Williams to appeal to American audiences, which he declined to do. The aspiring actor didn’t find work for over a year despite having over 100 auditions. Finally, a talent agent who knew his mother’s friend recommended him to casting directors, and he secured about 20 commercials. By the early ’90s, DiCaprio began acting regularly on television, with a role in the pilot of The Outsiders and one episode of the soap opera Santa Barbara.
After starring in films like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Romeo + Juliet, and Marvin’s Room, Leo snagged the role which earned him worldwide recognition and “Leo-mania“: Titanic. With 47 acting credits below his belt, take a look below at our favorite DiCaprio movies, ranked:
Laila Abuelhawa is the Top 40 and Hip-Hop pop culture writer for Beasley Media Group. Being with the company for over three years, Laila's fierce and fabulous red-carpet rankings have earned her a feature on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert!' Her favorite stories are those surrounding the latest in celebrity fashion, television and film rankings, and how the world reacts to major celebrity news. With a background in journalism, Laila's stories ensure accuracy and offer background information on stars that you wouldn't have otherwise known. She prides herself in covering stories that inform the public about what is currently happening and what is to come in the ever-changing, ever-evolving media landscape.
