Kate Winslet Talks About Not Settling For “Fat Girl Parts” In BAFTAs Acceptance Speech

Kate Winslet took the opportunity during her BAFTAs acceptance speech to inspire teen girls to strive for more.

Kate Winslet’s BAFTAs Speech

Winslet beat out Jennifer Jason Leigh (The Hateful Eight), Julie Walters (Brooklyn), Rooney Mara (Carol) and Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) for the Best Actress in a Supporting Role BAFTA. When she took the stage to accept the award, Winslet used an experience she had as a teen to motivate young women.

“When I was only 14 I was told by a drama teacher that I might do ok if I was happy to settle for the fat girl parts. Well look at me now,” Winslet said. “So what I feel like saying is to any young woman who has ever been put down by a teacher or a friend or even a parent, just don’t listen to any of it because that’s what I did.”

“I didn’t listen and I kept on going to overcome a lot of my fears, get over my insecurity and keep doing it. Just keep doing it and believing in yourself,” Winslet added. “So what always feel in these moments, is that any young woman who has ever been put down by a teacher, by a friend, by even a parents, just don’t listen to any of it. Because that’s what I did – I kept on going and I overcame my fears and got over my insecurities.”

Winslet went on to acknowledge the talent of her fellow nominees. She also thanked director Danny Boyle for casting her as Joanna Hoffman in Steve Jobs, Michael Fassbender, who starred opposite her as the late Apple founder, her husband Ned Rocknroll, her parents and children.

Winslet is also up for the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in Steve Jobs.