Who doesn't like Kate Winslet? The English actress is beautiful, smart, and talented. She's one of the biggest names in Hollywood, starring in mega successful movies like Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and The Reader.
In her acceptance speech at the London Critics's Circle film awards on Sunday, the Oscar winner joined the chorus of Hollywood stars condemning sexual misconduct within the entertainment industry. Finally, right? Well, it wasn't quite all that we expected it to be.
In 2009, Kate won the best actress Oscar for her role in The Reader, and was told to thank media mogul Harvey Weinstein, but she didn't. Kate described Harvey as a man with "disgraceful behavior," but her reasons for not including him in her acceptance speech had nothing to do with sexual harassment.
"That was absolutely deliberate," she said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "It was nothing to do with not being grateful. If people aren't well-behaved, why would I thank him?"
The 42-year-old actress has finally taken the stage to publicly express some of the choices she's made over her acting career.
We were all waiting for her to express her feelings about starring in Woody Allen's recent film Wonder Wheel. After previously side-stepping the question about the controversy surrounding the director, we've been waiting for a women in her position to say something powerful.
Last year was quite a turbulent time for powerful men in the entertainment industry, and some of the most influential Hollywood figures were accused of some of the most horrendous things.
For instance, Allen, the 82-year-old director, has been repeatedly accused by his daughter, Dylan Farrow, of child molestation. Although he's denied this, there have been several stars who have publicly expressed working with him.
"I wouldn't be able to stand here this evening, and keep to myself some bitter regrets that I have about poor decisions to work with individuals with whom I wish I had not," Kate said in her speech on Sunday, having to turn around to collect herself.
"It has become clear to me that by not saying anything, I might be adding to the anguish of many courageous women and men. Sexual abuse is a crime. While it rests with the rule of law to pass judgment, it lies with all of us to listen to the smallest of voices and to never stop listening." she continued.
Kate also encouraged people in positions of power to speak up.
"Those who do have a voice are becoming afraid to say anything, because of intense scrutiny and criticism," she said. "Nobody should be exempt from having a right to speak in support of vulnerable people. There are those who can speak so powerfully for those who are not able to do so themselves, and let us please not make this about which people express public regret."
To the dismay of many people, Kate never denounced Woody, only alluding to the regret of working with some people. Dylan, Allen's daughter, has called out Winslet's silence, writing that "it breaks my heart when women and men I admire work with Allen, then refuse to answer questions about it."