Cate Blanchett, one of the most solid actresses of her generation, is starting in a new movie called Carol, about a married department store worker who has an affair with a fellow employee. She’s been doing press about the project, and Variety asked her during her interview whether this was her first time as a lesbian.
When asked if this is her first turn as a lesbian, Blanchett curls her lips into a smile. “On film — or in real life?” she asks coyly. Pressed for details about whether she’s had past relationships with women, she responds: “Yes. Many times,” but doesn’t elaborate. Like Carol, who never “comes out” as a lesbian, Blanchett doesn’t necessarily rely on labels for sexual orientation. “I never thought about it,” she says of how she envisioned the character. “I don’t think Carol thought about it.”
And too right. Straight people, I bet you don’t wake up in the morning thinking, “Huh, I suppose I’ll be straight today, and isn’t that grand?!” No, you just live your life. Your sexuality doesn’t define you, and neither does Cate’s.
For reference, Cate is married to a man and has been for nearly 20 years now, though that certainly doesn’t undermine her previous relationships with women or men in any way, and it doesn’t mean she’s “straight”… nor does it mean that it even matters. Yet the internet has been talking about this nonstop for several days, apparently unable to believe that she’s been with women. I’m not quite sure why that is, either. Does she “look” or “act” too straight for anyone to imagine her being with women? How does one look or act straight (or gay) anyway? The whole thing is just baffling.
Bottom line is, Cate Blanchett is pretty gorgeous and seems like a lovely person, to boot, so man or woman would be lucky to have her.
How hep, and post modern, of you Jennifer, and Cate.. You’re right on the edge of the latest social issues! Stay hep!