In a recent interview with Women’s Health, Kate Beckinsale shared her experience of being requested to shed weight for her role in the 2001 movie Pearl Harbor by director Michael Bay.

Despite feeling uncomfortable about losing weight to play Nurse Lt. Evelyn Johnson, the 46-year-old actress confessed relief that she didn’t have to undergo dental work like her co-star Ben Affleck, who had to get new teeth for the film.

Opening up about body image challenges in the industry, Kate emphasized that women face significantly more body-shaming than men in most instances.

Portraying a pivotal role in the film depicting the historical events of the Japanese Navy’s attack on the US in 1941, this marked a significant career milestone for the actress.

Within the film, Kate’s character served as the love interest caught between Ben Affleck’s pilot character, Rafe McCawley, and Josh Hartnett’s captain character, Danny Walker.

Reflecting on the director’s request for her to start a workout routine, Kate admitted to feeling uneasy about the weight loss process but found solace in not having to go through dental procedures like her co-star Ben.

The actress candidly expressed, “It wasn’t great… and in general, I think women are body-shamed 100 million percent more than men.

But on this particular project, I wasn’t.”

Kate Beckinsale’s journey in Hollywood began with Pearl Harbor, following her appearance in the 1999 film Brokedown Palace alongside Claire Danes, where they portrayed teenagers imprisoned in Thailand for drug-related charges.

Since then, she has built an extensive portfolio with over twenty projects, including notable films like Underworld, Laurel Canyon, and Everybody’s Fine.

In addition to discussing her past experiences, Kate highlighted the importance of her six-days-a-week exercise routine in maintaining both physical and mental well-being.

For her, exercise plays a crucial role in managing stress and staying connected with her body, viewing it as a vital component for her overall mood.