Kate Winslet Reveals Teenage Intimate Experiences with Girls in Reflective Podcast Interview

Kate Winslet, the acclaimed actress known for roles in Titanic and The Reader, opened up about her adolescence during an appearance on the Team Deakins podcast, hosted by cinematographer Sir Roger Deakins and producer James Ellis Deakins. Reflecting on her breakout performance in Peter Jackson's 1994 film Heavenly Creatures, Winslet stated, “I’ll share something I’ve never shared before. 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.”

Heavenly Creatures depicts the true story of Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme, two teenage girls whose intense emotional and erotic bond leads to a tragic murder in 1950s New Zealand. Winslet, who was 17 during filming, explained how her own experiences informed her portrayal of Juliet Hulme. “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. She described being “sucked into the vortex of that world they were in that obviously became horrendously damaging to both of them, and they had huge insecurities and vulnerabilities.”

Winslet noted that while she could grasp the depth of young attachment and vulnerability, she “couldn’t truly understand” the darker elements at the time. The film marked her first major role and proved transformative: “I know I came back a different person. I’d evolved so much in my learning and life experience.”

Excerpts from the podcast quickly spread on social media, with some framing Winslet's comments as a revelation about her sexuality, prompting discussions on how personal disclosures by celebrities are often simplified or sensationalized. Winslet has been married to Edward Abel Smith since 2012 and has not publicly identified with any LGBTQ+ label. Commentators highlight that such reactions underscore scrutiny faced by female actors sharing nuanced experiences.

Winslet has consistently championed LGBTQ+ representation in film. In an interview with Attitude magazine, she stated, “For me, I absolutely love and champion same-sex love stories and any LGBTQ stories that we can possibly get our hands on. And I hope that we are able to normalise same-sex connection on film without hesitation, secrecy or fear, by normalising these relationships.” Her roles, such as in the 2020 film Ammonite opposite Saoirse Ronan, portray tender same-sex relationships, like that of palaeontologist Mary Anning and geologist Charlotte Murchison.

In 2021, speaking to The Sunday Times, Winslet addressed industry pressures on LGBTQ+ actors: “I cannot tell you the number of young actors I know -- some well known, some starting out -- who are terrified their sexuality will be revealed and that it will stand in the way of their being cast in straight roles.” She has described this as rooted in discrimination, emphasizing the need for greater acceptance.

Winslet's disclosures and advocacy contribute to broader conversations about fluidity in adolescence, the importance of authentic queer narratives, and reducing stigma in Hollywood. Her reflections affirm the value of personal curiosity and emotional bonds without rigid labels, resonating with many in the LGBTQ+ community who navigate similar experiences. Sources across outlets confirm the podcast as the origin of these remarks, with no contradictions in reporting. This moment underscores her role as an empathetic ally, encouraging normalization of diverse relationships on screen and beyond.