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Kate Winslet on Becoming a Hollywood Star: ‘This Is My Revenge’ on Childhood Bullies

Look who’s laughing now! Kate Winslet opened up in a recent interview about how her status as one of Hollywood’s most successful stars has been the best “revenge” on her childhood bullies.

“I was kind of bullied when I was younger — for being chubby, and I had girls who were envious of me because I was acting a little bit as a teenager,” the 40-year-old actress told the Today show’s Billy Bush on Thursday, September 22. “So this is my revenge. This right here. This lovely career that I have been blessed with. I have healthy children, I have a really happy life, so it’s like, ‘Look at me now, girls.’”

Related: PHOTOS: Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet’s Adorable Friendship Through the Years

Winslet, who stars opposite Liam Hemsworth in upcoming period flick The Dressmaker, has had her fair share of hunky costars, including good pal Leonardo DiCaprio in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic.

The Oscar-winning actress simply smiled when asked whether her iconic role was a particular point of pride for the once-bullied star: “Let’s just say that was a very, very sweet moment.”

Related: PHOTOS: Kate Winslet's Style Evolution

Kate Winslet
Kate Winslet on Sept, 16, 2016, in New York City.

“I do feel like now more than ever, that the experiences that I’ve had, it’s time for me to pass that on a little bit,” she added. “To be that person that Emma Thompson was for me, for example [in Sense and Sensibility].”

Winslet added that even her older daughter, Mia — whom she shares with ex-husband Jim Threapleton — is jealous of her parade of handsome costars. (The actress is currently working on a new Woody Allen film with Justin Timberlake.)

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“Because I’m not a Google person, I didn’t even know how old Liam is,” she said with a laugh. “I mean, I know he’s not 30, which probably explains why my teenage daughter was so envious of me. … It does seem a little mean, doesn’t it? It’s OK, she loves me. She forgives me, and she has said, ‘Mom, if you don’t let me come on to that set, I’m never going to speak to you again.’”

The Dressmaker hits theaters on Friday, September 23.

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