'I was chubby, I always had big feet, the wrong shoes, bad hair': Kate Winslet reveals how school bullies made her life a misery 

Kate Winslet is known for her no-nonsense attitude when it comes to body image, famously proud of her stunning figure and a staunch anti-airbrushing advocate.

So it comes as a surprise that the British actress has revealed she had 'no positive reinforcement' from females when she was growing up.

During her appearance on Running Wild With Bear Grylls, which aired in the US on Monday, the 39-year-old star admitted that she was only faced with negativity surrounding women's bodies.

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Bullied: Kate Winslet, who has always promoted a healthy body image, revealed she was picked on when she was younger (right, pictured in 1990 at age 15) because she was 'chubby'
Bullied: Kate Winslet, who has always promoted a healthy body image, revealed she was picked on when she was younger (right, pictured in 1990 at age 15) because she was 'chubby'

Bullied: Kate Winslet, who has always promoted a healthy body image, revealed she was picked on when she was younger (right, pictured in 1990 at age 15) because she was 'chubby' with 'big feet' 

And she also explained how she was bullied as a youngster, for being 'chubby' and having 'big feet'. 

'When I grew up, I never heard positive reinforcement about body image from any female in my life,' she told adventurer Bear while taking part in the daring show, filmed in the mountains of Snowdonia, Wales. 

The mother-of-three continued: 'I only heard negatives. That's very damaging, because then you're programmed as a young woman to immediately scrutinize yourself and how you look.'

The star went on to explain how she tries to create a happier, positive atmosphere with her 14-year-old daughter Mia, from her first marriage to director Jim Threapleton.

'I tell her we are lucky to have a shape': The 39-year-old actress (left, pictured in 2011; right, pictured in 1996 at age 21) confessed how she teaches her 14-year-old daughter Mia to feel more positive about her curvy body
'I tell her we are lucky to have a shape': The 39-year-old actress (left, pictured in 2011; right, pictured in 1996 at age 21) confessed how she teaches her 14-year-old daughter Mia to feel more positive about her curvy body

'I tell her we are lucky to have a shape': The 39-year-old actress (left, pictured in 2011; right, pictured in 1996 at age 21) confessed how she teaches her 14-year-old daughter Mia to feel more positive about her curvy body

Go dotty for Kate's style in a Stella McCartney dress

Here’s one lady who knows how to dress her curves. Or curve her dresses, in this situation.

Kate is a big lover of British fashion designer Stella McCartney and wowed in this form-fitting bodycon dress featuring a curvy mesh detailing with a polka dot print. She’s got it spot on.

And despite being an LBD with a welcomed twist, the stylish mesh detailing does more than you think since it actually creates a smaller waist with Stella’s optical illusion tactics nipping the midriff in with the sheer paneling. Right on.

Sadly, this particular dress is from a past season so is no longer available to buy, but fret not. You can nab a similar style from Selfridges which includes the mesh and optical illusion design.

If you want a similar style on a budget, then head to the edit below where you'll discover our favorite alternatives from the likes of Nasty Gal, Boohoo and more.

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'I stand in front of the mirror and say to Mia, 'We are so lucky we have a shape. We're so lucky we're curvy' And she'll say, 'Mummy, I know, thank God',' Kate added.  

After enjoying lunch on the mountain with Bear, in the midst of their treacherous survival adventure on the beautiful but dangerous mountain range (which saw her end up covered in fish guts), they had a heart-to-heart about her childhood.

'I was bullied at school,' Kate explained, adding that she was brought up 'on a shoestring' budget.

'I was chubby, always had big feet the wrong shoes, bad hair,' she confessed.

'There was one girl who was particularly horrible to me,' said the star, who bumped into the same girl after she became successful with Titanic.

A big challenge: The survival show saw Kate battle the elements and tough terrain of Snowdonia in Wales, while also speaking openly about her feelings over body image issues

A big challenge: The survival show saw Kate battle the elements and tough terrain of Snowdonia in Wales, while also speaking openly about her feelings over body image issues

Opening up: During her time on Running Wild With Bear Grylls, Kate revealed she 'never heard positive reinforcement about body image from any female' when growing up

Opening up: During her time on Running Wild With Bear Grylls, Kate revealed she 'never heard positive reinforcement about body image from any female' when growing up

'She was working on a beauty counter in a department store,' said The Reader actress, who has Oscar, Emmy and Grammy award under her belt.

'I went up to her and said 'I want to thank you for being such a b**ch because it made me a lot stronger',' she added.  

As well as being a renowned Hollywood star for her critically-acclaimed roles, she famously hit back over her image being heavily airbrushed for GQ magazine back in 2003.

The then 27-year-old appeared visibly slimmer and even taller on the front cover image. 

She said at the time: 'The retouching is excessive. I do not look like that and more importantly, I don't desire to look like that.

Over the years: While the Titanic actress' weight has slightly fluctuated - as many women's do - over the years, Kate has always rocked her curves with pride

Over the years: While the Titanic actress' weight has slightly fluctuated - as many women's do - over the years, Kate has always rocked her curves with pride

Hitting back: Over a decade ago, in 2003, Kate famously hit back when she appeared on the cover of GQ magazine having been airbrushed slimmer

Hitting back: Over a decade ago, in 2003, Kate famously hit back when she appeared on the cover of GQ magazine having been airbrushed slimmer

'I actually have a Polaroid that the photographer gave me on the day of the shoot… I can tell you they've reduced the size of my legs by about a third. For my money it looks pretty good the way it was taken.'

Over the years, she has been open about her slim but curvy figure, something she gladly displays on the red carpets in form-fitting dresses.

The actress - who turns 40 in October this year - recently spoke out about her changing body, and how she is happy to embrace it.

'I'm definitely going to get to my birthday and feel I've earned it!' she recently told People magazine.

'I have the kind of wrinkles that are here to stay now. You know, not just the ones where you wake up in the morning and you go, "Oh that will go away in two hours' time." No, they're there. That's the way it is.' 

Taking it in her stride: Kate tackled the Snowdonia mountains in Wales with ease during her time with survival expert Bear Grylls

Taking it in her stride: Kate tackled the Snowdonia mountains in Wales with ease during her time with survival expert Bear Grylls

Strong-willed: Kate showed her can-do attitude as she embarked on a gruelling two-day challenge in the mountains with Bear

Strong-willed: Kate showed her can-do attitude as she embarked on a gruelling two-day challenge in the mountains with Bear

 

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