Keira Knightley Says ‘I Was Seen as S—‘ Due to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Taken Down Publicly’; She Won’t Do More Franchises: ‘You Have No Control’ Over ‘What You’re Filming’

As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for the struggles of actresses behind the silver screen, I find it incredibly disheartening to read about Keira Knightley‘s ordeal during the height of her fame in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise. The way she was subjected to public shaming and tabloid scrutiny at such a young age is nothing short of appalling, and it’s a stark reminder of how far we still have to go in terms of treating women in Hollywood with the respect they deserve.

Keira Knightley, during an interview with The Times of London, mentioned that she has deliberately forgotten the harsh criticisms she faced from the media while gaining worldwide fame during the “Pirates of the Caribbean” trilogy. This occurred when she was only 17 years old, making her debut as Elizabeth Swann in the first movie released in 2003, titled “Curse of the Black Pearl.” The second and third sequels, “Dead Man’s Chest” (2006) and “At World’s End” (2007), followed her initial appearance.

The “Pirates of the Caribbean” series achieved remarkable success, with “Dead Man’s Chest” breaking records as the fastest film to earn $1 billion globally and ranking third among the highest-grossing films ever made. However, this fame brought unwanted attention from tabloids, who persistently scrutinized Knightley, and sparked widespread media conjecture about her potential eating disorder, fueled by her slender physique.

Knightley told The Times that she can’t recall the incident in a typical manner of trauma, as if it has been erased and then certain details resurface unexpectedly due to their public nature. This experience, being a form of humiliation, seems deeply ingrained in her psyche given how young she was when it occurred. She’s found herself dealing with it over time.

Knightley expressed her profound gratitude for having a remarkably caring network of family, friends, and wonderful partners who served as a shield against media harassment. However, even with this loving support, she was still confronted with queries regarding her weight during interviews. At times, these discussions were instigated by the interviewers bringing up the subject when discussing other actors.

Knightley recalled vividly that one of the Olsen twins struggled with anorexia and sought treatment at a clinic. During a press tour, she was questioned about this as if it were a jest. It seemed that she was being ridiculed for seeking help for her condition. This left Knightley feeling shocked and emotional. This isn’t about me, but about her; even now, I find it hard to comprehend.

Later in his acting career, Knightley became known for starring in critically-acclaimed dramas like “Atonement” and “Pride and Prejudice,” with the latter performance earning him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Knightley reflected on the “Pirates” series, stating, “It’s peculiar to have something that both destroyed and elevated me simultaneously.” She was criticized because of them, yet their success opened doors for her to star in films that earned Oscar nominations. They represent the most successful projects she’s ever been involved with, but they also subjected her to public backlash. Thus, they occupy a complex space in her mind.

Reflecting on the prospect of rejoining a Hollywood franchise, I find myself expressing a quiet reluctance. The demanding nature of such commitments is overwhelming – the hours are beyond ordinary, and it seems like an extended chunk of one’s life is surrendered without much control over the location, duration, or subject matter of the filming.

Last year, during an interview with Harper’s Bazaar U.K., Knightley expressed that portraying a desirable character like Elizabeth Swann at a young age made her feel somewhat limited and trapped within the Hollywood industry.

[Elizabeth Swann] was desired by many,” Knightley explained further. “She wasn’t lacking courage, but the transition from being quite tomboyish to being seen as the complete opposite was intriguing. It left me feeling restricted and trapped. The roles that followed were about trying to escape from this…I didn’t know how to put it into words. It felt like I was confined within something I couldn’t comprehend.

Actress Knightley will be featured in the upcoming Netflix spy thriller titled “Black Doves,” which begins streaming on December 5. For a complete read of her interview, visit The Times’ official website.

2024-11-26 02:16

Keira Knightley Says ‘I Was Seen as S—‘ Due to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and ‘Taken Down Publicly’; She Won’t Do More Franchises: ‘You Have No Control’ Over ‘What You’re Filming’

Read More

Minority Mindset