'Rape speak': Knightley decries intimidation at start of career

The actor Keira Knightley has spoken out about the intimidation and intrusion she experienced at the start of her career, when she was "stalked by men" who blamed her for their aggressive interest.

- Catherine Shoard

Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, Knightley said that even as a young woman, "I was very clear on it being absolutely shocking. There was an amount of gaslighting to be told by a load of men that 'you wanted this'. It was rape speak. You know, 'This is what you deserve.' It was a very violent, misogynistic atmosphere."

Knightley rose to prominence at 17 with her role in Bend It Like Beckham before finding international fame with the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and Love Actually.

"It's very brutal to have your privacy taken away in your teenage years, early 20s, and to be put under that scrutiny at a point when you are still growing," Knightley said.

"Having said that, I wouldn't have the financial stability or the career that I do now without that period. I had a five-year period between the age of 17 and 21-ish, and I'm never going to have that kind of success again. It totally set me up for life. Did it come at a cost? Yes, it did. It came at a big cost."