While every generation is bound to have some films that were a major part of their childhood, '90s and early 2000s kids had some pretty unique bragging rights. From Jurassic Park to Lion King to Titanic, there was no shortage of fun and memorable titles during that era.
More importantly for teens, there was no shortage of potential crushes. Who didn't have some thoughts about the famous Titanic kiss between Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio at the front of the ship?
But Kate Winslet just came forward and sucked the wind out of our sails, saying that kissing DiCaprio wasn't all that great.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Winslet completed a series called "Scene Selection" in which she revisited major scenes from some of her top films, like Titanic and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and shared how it had been to shoot them.
While watching the famous scene with Jack and Rose kissing in the light of the sunset, Winslet shared how frustrating it had been to shoot, specifically because of makeup, the lighting, and her costar's constant giggling.
While watching the kiss, Winslet reflected:
"My god, he's quite the romance, isn't he? No wonder every young girl in the world wanted to be kissed by Leonardo DiCaprio."
Looking directly at the camera, Winslet quipped:
"It was not all it's cracked up to be."
The issues were not strictly with DiCaprio's kissing abilities, however.
"We kept doing this kiss, and I've got a lot of pale makeup on, and I would have to do our makeup checks, on both of us, between takes, and I would end up looking as though I'd been sucking a caramel chocolate bar after each take because his makeup would come off on me."
"I had his makeup and brushes and sponge and my makeup and brushes and sponge hidden on me, and between takes, I was basically redoing our makeup. It was really quite funny."
"And Leo couldn't stop laughing, and we had to reshoot this about four times, because the director [James Cameron] wanted a very specific light for this, obviously, and the sunsets kept changing where we were."
You can watch the video here:
Kate Winslet Rewatches Titanic, Eternal Sunshine, The Regime & More | Vanity Fairyoutu.be
Viewers of Kate Winslet's "Scene Selection" were thoroughly entertained by her candor.
"'Every girl wanted to kiss Leonardo Dicaprio... It's not all it's cracked up to be.' LMFAO, DRAG HIM." - @ariellelyons/YouTube
"The nonchalance with which Kate talks about the most iconic scene in the movie history is almost insulting, lol." - @AnnaKhKem/YouTube
"Bahahaha, I absolutely love that she seemed to enjoy torpedoing every bit of magic in people's favorite scene." - @Rachel-sv9pq/YouTube
"She is not only an incredible actor, she is also incredibly funny. I laughed a lot when she is describing the make-up problems during that 'Titanic' scene." - @DavidArriola/YouTube
"I love how Kate just gives it to us straight unveiling these scenes. Always honest and down to earth. Incredible actress. Real deal." - @amorca4653/YouTube
"I could listen to her talk about this all day." - @bonniecreevy2642
"So Rose had makeup brushes hidden in the collar of her dress in this scene? Wow, that's fascinating. That's why I love stuff like this. And I love Kate Winslet. She's a treasure." - @MistrBlistr/YouTube
"Best Actress EVER. I absolutely adore her. This was so much fun!!" - @dustymuniz/YouTube
"She gives some really great insight in this and articulates herself so well. Much respect. She’s clearly an incredible and dedicated actress." - @rockmegently/YouTube
"We need a Kate commentary for the whole 'Titanic' movie." - @Breejon455/YouTube
"I think what’s so special about Kate is not that she’s a tremendous actor, although she definitely is, but the fact that she’s championed for women her whole career and made young women feel comfortable on any set she’s been on."
"She’s made it clear to young actresses that they do have the choice to say no when they’re uncomfortable and that it’s ok to say it!!! She’s taken her bad experiences and made sure to make young women she works with never to feel the way she’s felt."
"For me, that’s what makes her so special and valued in the movie industry. Young upcoming women in every industry need women like Kate." - @IIIIDCIIII/YouTube
Though Winslet was honest about how tough it was to film this iconic scene, it's likely not enough to kill the magic for Titanic lovers and movie buffs.
If anything, it reminds us that the good things are worth working and waiting for.
@jaketapoer/Bluesky
@BillAckman/Twitter