'I wouldn't be necessarily coming from the place of 'Free Melania'': Cate Blanchett jokes about playing First Lady onscreen during discussion about refugees at World Economic Forum

By Benge Nsenduluka For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 07:20 EST, 24 January 2018 | Updated: 08:55 EST, 24 January 2018

She's a Hollywood heavyweight and devoted philanthropist.

And Cate Blanchett, 48, brought some lighthearted humour to the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzerland on Tuesday, during a discussion about refugees. 

The global goodwill ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees joked about playing First Lady Melania Trump onscreen and said she would not approach such a role from a 'Free Melania' perspective.

Bringing the laughs: Cate Blanchett, 48, brought some lighthearted humour to the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzlerand on Tuesday, during a discussion about refugees

Bringing the laughs: Cate Blanchett, 48, brought some lighthearted humour to the annual World Economic Forum (WEF) in Switzlerand on Tuesday, during a discussion about refugees

'When I'm playing a character I think you have to present people warts and all,' she said speaking with The New York Times.

'If I was playing Melania Trump (not that I would probably be cast in that role), I wouldn't be necessarily coming from the place of 'Free Melania,'' she continued - drawing audience laughter.

'I'd be trying to understand the situation so that you could then throw that back at an audience and say: 'What's her position as a woman? What does she think? What's it like being married to -- you know'.'

Tongue-in-cheek: 'When I'm playing a character I think you have to present people warts and all,' she said speaking with The New York Times

Tongue-in-cheek: 'When I'm playing a character I think you have to present people warts and all,' she said speaking with The New York Times

'If I was playing Melania Trump (not that I would probably be cast in that role), I wouldn't be necessarily coming from the place of 'Free Melania,'' she continued - drawing audience laughter
'Free Melania': In January 2017, a video of Melania looking tense during President Trump's Inauguration prompted the hashtag #FreeMelania on Twitter

'If I was playing Melania Trump (not that I would probably be cast in that role), I wouldn't be necessarily coming from the place of 'Free Melania,'' she continued - drawing audience laughter

In January 2017, a video of Melania looking tense during President Trump's Inauguration prompted the hashtag #FreeMelania on Twitter.

Two-time Academy Award winner Cate went on to condemn what she described as a lack of leadership in Washington in tackling the refugee crises.

On Monday, Cate was honoured with the Forum's annual Crystal Awards for her human rights work along with Sir Elton John and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan.

The Babel beauty delivered a rousing speech after receiving the coveted prize.

Inspiring: On Monday, Cate was honoured with the Forum's annual Crystal Awards for her human rights work along with Sir Elton John (L) and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan (C)

Inspiring: On Monday, Cate was honoured with the Forum's annual Crystal Awards for her human rights work along with Sir Elton John (L) and Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan (C)

'Thank you for honoring me with this award,' she said.

'I'm deeply grateful for the recognition it gives to the scale and severity of the global refugee crisis, along with the acknowledgement that we all have a stake in identifying and enacting solutions.'

The mother-of-four urged people to see the 'person' behind the refugee, after recounting her own personal experience with refugees in Jordan.

Honoured: 'I'm deeply grateful for the recognition it gives to the scale and severity of the global refugee crisis, along with the acknowledgement that we all have a stake in identifying and enacting solutions'

Honoured: 'I'm deeply grateful for the recognition it gives to the scale and severity of the global refugee crisis, along with the acknowledgement that we all have a stake in identifying and enacting solutions'

The Victoria-native also took the opportunity to condemn unnamed world leaders for their 'divisive language.'

'We see the fall out from the continued failure of world leaders to secure peace, whilst in many quarters there's divisive and polarizing language being used for political gain that gnaws away at our empathy and compassion,' she said.

Cate is married to director Andrew Upton, 51, with whom she shares four children.

Wedded bliss! Cate is married to director Andrew Upton, 51, with whom she shares four children

Wedded bliss! Cate is married to director Andrew Upton, 51, with whom she shares four children

 

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