Keira Knightley, known for her memorable roles in Pride & Prejudice and Pirates of the Caribbean, is opening up about the challenges she faced during her rise to stardom. In a candid interview with The Times on November 23, the 39-year-old actress revealed the emotional toll of constant media scrutiny, particularly the unfounded speculation surrounding her weight and allegations of an eating disorder.
Facing the Spotlight at a Young Age
Reflecting on her early career, Knightley explained how the relentless rumors and invasive commentary left lasting psychological scars. “I knew I wasn’t [struggling with an eating disorder]. I knew I was eating,” she said, admitting that much of that painful period has been blocked from her memory. “In that classic trauma way, I don’t remember it,” she shared. However, certain moments resurface in what she described as “very bodily memories,” a visceral response to the public shaming she endured.
“It’s obviously part of my psyche, given how young I was when it happened. I’ve been made around it,” she said, highlighting the deep imprint of those experiences on her sense of self.
A Lack of Empathy in Media Coverage
Knightley also recounted witnessing the media’s often callous treatment of celebrities grappling with disordered eating. She recalled a specific incident involving Mary-Kate Olsen, who sought treatment for an eating disorder in 2004. Instead of support, Olsen faced public ridicule. “I remember being asked about it on a press tour, like it was a joke. She was meant to be shamed for seeking help,” Knightley shared, calling the experience “wild” and “really emotional” despite it not being her own ordeal.
“I still can’t bear it,” she admitted, reflecting on the cruelty she witnessed.
The Mental Toll of Fame
Knightley’s struggles with fame reached a breaking point at 22 when she experienced a “mental breakdown” and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. During an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast in 2018, she revealed the surreal nature of her situation. “I went deep into therapy… [and a therapist] said, ‘It’s amazing — I normally come in here and have people that think people are talking about them… but actually they’re not. You’re the first person where that is actually happening.’”
Her meteoric rise to fame also left her feeling typecast and objectified, particularly in roles like Elizabeth Swann in Pirates of the Caribbean. Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar UK earlier this year, she described feeling “constrained” by the way she was portrayed as “an object of everybody’s lust.” She noted that her subsequent career choices were an effort to break free from that image.
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Moving Forward
Now a mother of two, Knightley continues to speak out about the pressures of fame and the importance of empathy in media narratives. Her story sheds light on the human cost of living in the public eye and the need for greater compassion toward those navigating the challenges of celebrity.
By sharing her experiences, Knightley reminds us that even the brightest stars are not immune to the shadows of public scrutiny—and that healing begins with understanding.
