Kate Beckinsale Confronts Criticism Over Appearance Amid Personal Losses
LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Actress Kate Beckinsale has once again addressed public scrutiny of her appearance, responding candidly to recent criticism that compared her to singer Ariana Grande. The remarks come amid a difficult period for Beckinsale, who has been navigating profound personal losses and health challenges over the past two years.
In a recent Instagram post, Beckinsale shared a photo of herself in nature accompanied by the song “I’m Not What Happened To Me” by Good Vibes Tribe 11:11. The post prompted a wave of comments focusing on her weight, including suggestions to “get off the GLP-1” and remarks that she was “losing too much weight.” One commenter bluntly compared her to Ariana Grande, who has also faced public scrutiny over her appearance during press tours for the musical Wicked and its sequel.
Beckinsale responded with a mixture of defiance and vulnerability, stating, “It must be immensely inconvenient that me losing basically my entire family except my daughter and watching some not all peaceful deaths that have destroyed my soul is aesthetically displeasing for you and that that has made me not very hungry.” She added a wry apology, “I do apologise from the bottom of my skinny ass heart.”
Her openness about the personal toll of grief and illness is not new. In 2024, following the release of images from her then-upcoming film Stolen Girl, Beckinsale addressed negative commentary about her thin appearance. She revealed that she had been coping with the death of her stepfather, whom she had “nursed to his death,” as well as the loss of her beloved pet cat. She also disclosed a severe flare-up of mast cell disease, a condition exacerbated by stress and grief.
“What you think of my appearance and how I should look, independently of any circumstances in my life and my family’s, is not important… Do better,” Beckinsale wrote in a heartfelt Instagram message. Despite her candor, she has continued to face criticism, even after the death of her mother in July 2025.
When another user suggested she should “gain weight” because it “looks better,” Beckinsale replied, “I’m not really worrying about what I look like right now.” She later posted a lengthy video discussing how grief has affected her, explaining that physical manifestations such as loss of appetite are common responses to profound loss. “People respond [to grief] in different ways obviously,” she said. “But if you Google physical manifestations of grief, your appetite is probably the first one.”
She also reflected on the values instilled by her parents, expressing gratitude that she was raised to avoid judging others harshly during times of suffering. “Because of my dad and my stepdad and my mum, I am so grateful that it wouldn’t occur to me to see somebody suffering and write something nasty about their appearance,” she said. “I really miss them.”
Beckinsale later deleted both the video and the Instagram post, but her message has resonated widely. Experts from the National Alliance on Mental Illness emphasize the importance of compassion and understanding when individuals face mental health challenges, especially those triggered by grief and trauma. The NAMI helpline (1-800-950-6264) and resources like GoodTherapy.org provide support for those coping with similar issues.
As public figures continue to navigate the intersection of personal hardship and public perception, Beckinsale’s candidness sheds light on the often unseen struggles behind appearances. Her response underscores the need for empathy in conversations about body image and mental health, reminding audiences that behind every image is a complex human experience.
Leave a Reply