Kate Winslet Thinks All This Pay Gap Talk Is 'A Bit Vulgar'

The pay gap in Hollywood is hot fodder right now, gaining traction of late as likes of Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson and Bradley Cooper speak out against the fact that females are paid significantly less than their male co-stars.

It was revealed this week that Scarlett Johansson took took home an impressive $US20 million for her role as Black Widow in Avengers: Age of Ultron - more than all of her male co-stars excluding Robert Downey Jr.

However Kate Winslet thinks all this talk of money is 'vulgar'.

"I'm having such a problem with these conversations," Winslet told BBC Newsbeat. "I understand why they are coming up, but maybe it's a British thing. I don't like talking about money; it's a bit vulgar, isn't it?"

Kate Winslet thinks all this pay gap talk is 'vulgar'. Photo: Getty Images

"I don't think that's a very nice conversation to have publicly at all. I'm quite surprised by these conversations, to be honest, simply because it seems quite a strange thing to be discussing out in the open like that. I am a very lucky woman, and I'm quite happy with how things are ticking along."

When asked about recent comments made by other stars, the 40-year-old actress says she felt it would be "dangerous" for her to talk about, but says she has never personally experienced sexism in the industry.

"If I’d ever been in that situation I would have either dealt with it or removed myself from it," she says. "Quite honestly, I’m sure I would. But I don’t think I’ve ever come across that. I find all this quite uncomfortable. I have to be honest. It’s a bit awkward really."

"We’re very lucky, and I feel so blessed. I’m perfectly capable of standing up for myself. I’m a strong individual, and that’s important to me. Yeah, absolutely. I haven’t ever felt as though I’ve really had to stick up for myself just because I’m a woman. I can’t honestly say that’s happened."