Kate Beckinsale has recalled being forced to attend a photo shoot the day after she suffered a miscarriage.
The 51-year-old actress candidly recounted being forced by an unsympathetic publicist to complete the planned photography shoot despite what she was still going through, both physically and mentally.
In a video clip shared via Instagram, the star recalled: ‘[I was] forced by a publicist, that I was employing, to do a photo shoot the day after I’d had a miscarriage.
‘I said, “I can’t. I’m bleeding. I don’t want to go and change my clothes in front of people I don’t know and do a photo shoot. I’m bleeding out a miscarriage.” She was like, “You’ll have to, or you’ll be sued”.’
Beckinsale also revealed that she had suffered other abuse in the industry over the years, including being ‘gaslit’ when she complained about an ‘unsafe fight situation on two different films’ that left her injured – to the point where she had MRI scans to prove it.
However, she claimed she found herself being ‘blamed and ostracised’ for speaking out, which included being left out of cast dinners.
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The Serendipity star also gave instances of verbal abuse on set from her past, as well as more than one instance of being put on a diet and exercise programme ‘so strict that I lost my period altogether’.
She explained she had found the courage to speak up about her experiences over the weekend in light of Blake Lively’s lawsuit against It Ends With Us director and co-star Justin Baldoni.
Lively has accused Baldoni of harassment and of orchestrating a smear campaign against her – allegations he has strongly denied.
Beckinsale, who has also starred in Emma and the Underworld franchise, explained that their situation has ‘highlighted … this machine that goes into effect when a woman complains about something legitimately offensive, upsetting, harmful, whatever, in this industry’.
She continued: ‘I’m grateful to Blake Lively for highlighting that this is not an archaic problem that no one’s facing – this is continuing. And then when it does happen, a machine goes into place to absolutely destroy you. And I’m sure that’s the case in other industries as well, and it’s just got to stop.’
Beckinsale then added in her post caption: ‘I’m not trying to say “wah poor actresses we all have it so difficult”- but I think this is a problem that affects every industry, it’s just that it’s a little bit more visible in ours – and I don’t want our younger generation of actresses to be facing all the same things as we all do and did, but they have it even worse because of social media and how that can be weaponised to a literally nuclear level.’
Director and Jane the Virgin actor Baldoni is reportedly planning to countersue Lively for her complaint for damages when the courts reopen on January 2.
Metro has previously contacted Lively and Baldoni’s representatives for comment.
Pregnancy loss helpline
For emotional support, you can contact Miscarriage Association’s pregnancy loss helpline on 01924 200799 or email info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk.
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