Cate Blanchett reveals ‘many’ past relationships with women

Cate Blanchett has revealed she has had “many” romantic relationships with women in the past.

The Australian actress made the comments while promoting her new film Carol, co-starring Rooney Mara, which explores a lesbian relationship in 1950s New York.

Speaking to Variety magazine ahead of the film’s premiere at Cannes this weekend (May 17), Blanchett was asked if playing the title role in the romantic period drama was her first turn as a lesbian.

“On film – or in real life?” the 45-year-old asked coyly. Pressed on whether she had ever had relationship with a woman, the Elizabeth star replied: “Yes. Many times,” though didn’t elaborate further.

Blanchett, who has four children with Australian screenwriter Andrew Upton, her husband since 1997, added that she read “a lot of girl-on-girl books from the period,” in preparation for the role, but that she “didn’t think about” the fact that her character Carol never ‘comes out’.

“I don’t think Carol thought about it”, she added.

Carol, which is based on Patricia Highsmith’s 1952 novel The Price of Salt, follows the story of a young woman in her 20s working as a department-store clerk (played by Rooney Mara) who falls for an older, married woman.

Helmed by Far from Heaven director Todd Hynes, the film will compete for the coveted Palme d’Or at the 68th Cannes Film Festival, which kicks off today (May 13), following an expected worldwide release later in the year.

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