We all want people to motivate us – to help us aspire to the things we know we deserve. Some of us have role models, and others have mentors. However, some people find motivation by proving others wrong. These people take the negativity of others and channel it into something positive for themselves. As it turns out, actress Kate Winslet is one of those people, and she recently shared some wise advice for young women based on her own experiences dealing with the negativity and mean-spirited advice of naysayers.
According to THR, following her BAFTA win for her role in Steve Jobs, Kate Winslet spoke out about her early years as an actress and the negative feedback she had to overcome during that period. She said:
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. Look at me now, look at me now. So what I feel like saying in those moments is — to any young woman who has ever been put down by a teacher, by 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 and I overcame my fears and I got over a lot of insecurity.
So her teacher – someone she looked to for guidance and advice during her formative years – told her that she would only experience moderate success due to her weight and body shape. If that’s not enough to infuriate you then I don’t really know what will. Kate Winslet has become known as one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of the last two decades, so yeah, that teacher was very, very wrong. As if Winslet's recent win isn't impressive enough, she has two other BAFTAs to her name – for The Reader and Sense and Sensibility – as well as myriad other trophies, including numerous Golden Globes and an Academy Award.
Check out the video below to see the advice Kate Winslet has for young women who may find themselves too nervous to follow their dreams.
Kate Winslet very clearly never deserved to hear such harsh words from anyone in her life – no one does, especially not an acting coach – but at the same time we can't help but feel partially grateful that she did. By channeling the negative feedback of others into her passion, she managed to become an amazing actress, and the world is decidedly better off with her numerous incredible performances in the realm of cinema. One can only wonder what amazing roles she will take on in the future, and how she will inspire aspiring actresses.
