The Crown actress Meg Bellamy provided insights into the challenges of portraying Princess Kate Middleton in a recent interview.
Meg Bellamy’s Role in The Crown
Bellamy, 21, depicted a younger version of Kate in the sixth and final season of the Netflix drama. This season focused on the early romance between Prince William (played by Ed McVey) and his future wife during their time at the University of St Andrews in Scotland.
Experiencing Online Criticism
In a June 23 interview with the U.K.’s Mail on Sunday’s You magazine, Bellamy discussed facing negative comments about her appearance after a day of media engagements.
“I’d had this long day of press, it had gone well, then I went on my phone and there was all this negative stuff about my body online,” she said. Bellamy noted that the nature of the comments typically focused on her body, with messages suggesting, “You’re too fat to play Kate.”
Handling Criticism and Maintaining Confidence
Bellamy viewed the experience as a harsh reality of being a woman in the entertainment industry, explaining, “That was a glimpse into being a woman in this industry. I thought, ‘OK, that’s a sign to distance yourself because it doesn’t mean anything.’”
She emphasized the importance of not letting online trolling affect her, adding, “You can’t listen to that sort of stuff,” and mentioning that the negative comments often came from “men called Gary who are holding a fish in their profile picture.”
Despite the criticism, Bellamy remains positive about her achievements, stating, “I’ve had so many amazing things happen to me. They’re the losers for saying that. I’m living my best life over here.”
Professional Journey and Preparation
Prior to her role in The Crown, Bellamy had no prior television experience and worked at Legoland in the U.K., where she played a snake in an attraction.
To prepare for her role as Kate Middleton, Bellamy invested considerable effort in studying the Princess of Wales, watching “hours” of footage of Kate. “I spent so much time ‘with’ her. You get this weird parasocial connection. She’s so gracious and wonderful and self-assured. I will always be fond of Kate,” Bellamy said.
Recent Developments Concerning Princess Kate
Since the release of the final episodes of The Crown last December, Kate Middleton has disclosed that she is undergoing treatment for an unspecified form of cancer. The Princess of Wales shared this news with the public in March, following weeks of intense speculation about her health.
“I so feel for her and for the family,” Bellamy commented in response to the announcement.
Wrapping Up
Meg Bellamy’s experience portrays the pressures and challenges faced by actors, especially with the scrutiny of online criticism. Her approach to handling these challenges demonstrates resilience and determination in her career.
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