Cate Blanchett reveals ‘lesbian past’

Married mother-of-four Cate Blanchett reveals she had ‘many’ past relationships with women, while promoting new gay role.

In Carol, Blanchett plays a married woman who wins the heart of a younger department store clerk.

Cate Blanchett will play a lesbian in an upcoming film and the actress has hinted that she may have drawn from real-life experience to play the role.

Blanchett hinted at her past in industry journal Variety.

The 45-year-old mother of four — who has been married to Andrew Upton for 18 years — revealed in an interview with industry journal Variety that she has had “many” past relationships with other women.

Blanchett was asked if her role as Carol in the upcoming film of the same name was her first turn as a lesbian, and her response has garnered much attention.

“On film, or in real life?” she told Variety with a smile.

Then, when asked if she has had relationships with women in the past, Blanchett responded: “Yes. Many times.” In Carol, Blanchett plays a married woman who wins the heart of a younger department store clerk, played by Rooney Mara (House of Cards).

The dual Oscar-winning actress also revealed she studied many 1950s erotic novels as research for her role.

“I read a lot of girl-on-girl books from the period,” she said.

Blanchett has three sons with Upton — Dashiell, 13, Roman, 10 and Ignatius, 6. The couple also recently adopted a baby daughter, Edith Vivian Patricia Upton.

She gave little else away about her romantic history and she could well be having us all on but nevertheless the interview has raised eyebrows and created much publicity for her new indie film.

Carol will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival on May 17.

With AAP