Kate Beckinsale didn’t hold back when trolls accused her of going under the knife and getting plastic surgery.
The attacks came after the British actress (50), who was hospitalised recently for an undisclosed health issue, shared pics of herself at a red carpet event in New York recently, looking radiant in a white organza gown with cutouts and a high leg slit.
In response, Kate posted a pair of videos on Instagram, of her younger self, and of her recent public appearance.
“I hate talking about this because I hate adding to this conversation but I’m doing it because insidious bullying of any kind over time takes a toll”, she wrote on the post. “These videos might be 20 years apart – maybe more.”
“Every time I post anything – and by the way, this has been the case since I was about 30 – I am accused of having had unrecognisable surgery, using Botox, using fillers or being obsessed with looking younger.”
“I don’t actually do any of those things.”
The Underworld star said despite her persistent denials, she's constantly bullied about her appearance.
"Life happens – obviously I have aged, everybody ages; I’m not too concerned about ageing.”
Kate has previously spoken about her healthy lifestyle – which includes gym sessions six times a week and eating a balanced, nutritious diet – as well as her mental-health struggles, which she says stem from the death of her father, Richard Beckinsale, at 31, when she was just six years old.
“The fact that one of the major things I am bullied about is an assumption that I can’t handle the idea of getting older is so deeply ironic, when my all-consuming terror was that I never thought I’d even see the end of my 20s,” she's said.
READ MORE| Kate Beckinsale shares the secrets of her youthful looks and why she doesn't worry about ageing
She ended her post with a plea addressed to the bullies.
“I’m posting this knowing full well that it will have absolutely no effect. It isn’t going to stop. Please stop now.”
This post had fans and fellow celebs coming out to show their support.
One user wrote, "You are always beautiful Kate. Love you lots,"; and Modern Family star Sofía Vergara posted, "gorgeous always."
“Thank you so much to all of you who sent such incredibly supportive, kind and personal messages to me," Kate responded.
"I am so touched and feel so horrible for everybody who has told me about their experiences of bullying."