In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Knightley shared how fame as a teenager subjected her to intense public scrutiny and invasive behavior, including being stalked by men. She recalled being gaslit into believing such treatment was her fault, a sentiment she found shocking and deeply misogynistic. “It’s very brutal to have your privacy taken away in your teenage years, early 20s, and to be put under that scrutiny when you are still growing,” she said.
Knightley acknowledged the double-edged nature of her success during this period. While it brought her financial stability and set the foundation for a celebrated career, it also exposed her to relentless public criticism. She described her experience with the press as harsh, citing constant body shaming and accusations of poor acting during her Pirates era.
Reflecting on her career, Knightley noted the irony of the situation. The blockbuster films that drew widespread criticism were also the stepping stones to critically acclaimed projects like Atonement and Pride and Prejudice, the latter earning her an Oscar nomination. “It’s a funny thing when you have something that was making and breaking you at the same time,” she told The Times of London.
Knightley also expressed concern about the damaging effects of fame on young women today, worsened by the rise of social media. “Ultimately, that’s what fame is — it’s being publicly shamed. A lot of teenage girls don’t survive that,” she said, reflecting on how the public eye can be both a career-making force and a deeply challenging experience.
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