In a recent revelation, Kate Beckinsale shared her unsettling experience of being body-shamed by renowned director Michael Bay during the filming of Pearl Harbor.
Despite being known as one of Hollywood’s most stunning actresses, Beckinsale disclosed that Bay had a different perspective on her appearance while working together on the historical drama.
During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, Beckinsale recounted how Bay would frequently make remarks about her physical attributes and weight.
She expressed feeling puzzled by Bay’s fixation on her looks, stating, “I think he was baffled by me because my b–bs weren’t bigger than my head and I wasn’t blond.”
The British actress delved into her challenging time filming the World War II film, revealing that she had recently given birth to her daughter before commencing work on the project.
Despite having lost weight post-pregnancy, Beckinsale was instructed to undergo further physical transformation for the role.
She questioned the necessity of altering her appearance, particularly as a character from the 1940s.
Throughout the promotional activities for Pearl Harbor, Bay showcased favoritism towards Beckinsale’s male co-stars, Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett, while consistently disparaging the actress.
Beckinsale recalled instances where Bay praised Affleck and Hartnett for their qualities, labeling them as “wonderful” and “manly,” whereas he made derogatory comments about her attractiveness, suggesting she wouldn’t appeal to the female audience.
The romantic war drama, which also featured Cuba Gooding Jr., depicted the events surrounding the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japanese forces.
Despite its commercial success and accolades such as Academy Award nominations, the film received mixed reviews from critics.
Beckinsale further exposed Bay’s disparaging behavior by highlighting his contrasting treatment of male and female cast members during interviews and public appearances.
She recounted how Bay’s comments consistently undermined her image, creating a stark disparity in the way he portrayed her compared to her male counterparts.
Notably, this is not the first instance of a Hollywood figure speaking out against Bay’s conduct.
Megan Fox, in a past interview, likened the director to historical dictators, portraying him as domineering and challenging to work with, drawing parallels to Napoleon and Adolf Hitler in terms of his on-set demeanor.
Bay’s reputation for his demanding and critical approach on set seems to have left a lasting impact on those who have worked with him, with Beckinsale’s revelations shedding light on the pervasive issue of body shaming and unequal treatment within the entertainment industry.
The actress’s candid account serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing such behavior and advocating for respect and equality in all professional environments.
