ladbible homepage
ladbible homepage
  • iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK
    • US
    • World
    • Ireland
    • Australia
    • Science
    • Crime
    • Weather
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Film
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • Netflix
    • Disney
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle
  • Money
  • Originals
    • FFS PRODUCTIONS
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content Here
  • SPORTbible
  • Tyla
  • GAMINGbible
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • FOODbible
  • UNILAD Tech
Keira Knightley admits it took 45 minutes to paint on cleavage for Pirates of the Caribbean role

Home> Entertainment> Film

Updated 15:25 23 Jan 2025 GMTPublished 14:28 23 Jan 2025 GMT

Keira Knightley admits it took 45 minutes to paint on cleavage for Pirates of the Caribbean role

Keira Knightley had to sit still for three-quarters of an hour while the artist worked her magic

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover

Keira Knightley would have been better off getting a painter and decorator rather than a glam squad to help her transform into her Pirates of the Caribbean character.

The London-born star, 39, starred as the strong-willed Elizabeth Swann in the swashbuckler franchise, alongside Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom.

And although she embodied effortless beauty on the big screen, Knightley revealed that a lot of hard work went into her appearance behind the scenes.

As well as the usual hair and makeup routine, the Oscar-nominated actor revealed that she had to sit still for three-quarters of an hour while someone 'painted in' her cleavage.

Advert

Take a look at this:

During an appearance on Late Night with Conan O’Brien back in 2005, Knightley excitedly discussed how she was reprising her Pirates of the Caribbean role.

She told the US talk show host that the cast were having 'good fun' while shooting the two sequels to The Curse of the Black Pearl back-to-back.

Although she explained she'd had a 'fantastic' experience so far, Knightley admitted that she had one small thing to moan about.

But it wasn't the long hours on set or remembering her lines, as she explained: "I'm a bit disappointed because in the first one, I got my cleavage painted in every day."

Keira Knightley revealed her cleavage was 'painted on' in the 2003 film (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images/Disney)
Keira Knightley revealed her cleavage was 'painted on' in the 2003 film (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images/Disney)

The mum-of-two revealed that a 'very nice lady' would come and 'paint her a cleavage for 45 minutes every morning' before a day of filming as Elizabeth Swann.

Explaining the purpose was to emphasise her bust, Knightley said: "It's very clever, it's shading and everything."

Although her character often donned a corset in the first film, the actor said Elizabeth had a different sense of style in Dead Man's Chest and At World's End.

"In this one, I'm not really wearing a corset," Knightley said. "I like the costumes a lot, I do like corsets. They make you stand up very straight."

She also praised the unknown artist's cleavage painting skills during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show in 2014.

The actor was just 17 years old when she was cast in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (Disney)
The actor was just 17 years old when she was cast in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (Disney)

According to Knightley, the 45-minute ritual was the 'best bit' about starring in Pirates of the Caribbean when she was just 17 years old.

"It’s great," she laughed. "I’ve got very little up top, so it took 45 minutes to hoist up what I have got, and then paint in the rest.

"They looked amazing!"

The Love Actually star might have enjoyed this aspect of starring in Disney's pirate franchise, the role also took a major toll on Knightley too.

She previously revealed she needed 'many years of therapy' to cope after she was catapulted to fame, while also discussing how she was 'stalked by men' after her hugely successful Hollywood debut.

Featured Image Credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images/Disney

Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film, Weird

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Recommended reads

Man shares 'wake up call' sign he noticed before needing four inches of penis amputatedITVJimmy Bullard comment that sparked huge bust-up with Adam ThomasITVDoctor says there are three things you should never do before having sexGetty StockDonald Trump was ‘locked out of room’ during crucial meeting over behaviourJim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

Advert

Choose your content:

an hour ago
3 hours ago
4 hours ago
  • ITV
    an hour ago

    Jimmy Bullard comment that sparked huge bust-up with Adam Thomas

    I'm A Celeb seems to have gone back in time as tonight's All Stars episode features a heated argument in camp

    Entertainment
  • ITV
    3 hours ago

    I’m A Celeb campmate quits show days before final

    It's all kicking off in this All Stars series

    Entertainment

    breaking

  • Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Coachella
    4 hours ago

    Coachella issued fine after Justin Bieber set broke golden rule

    The festival's promoter Goldenvoice is out of pocket

    Entertainment
  • ITV
    4 hours ago

    Jimmy Bullard 'refusing to return for I'm a Celeb final' as Adam Thomas bust-up finally shown

    A first look of tonight's I'm A Celeb episode shows a glimpse of Adam Thomas shouting in Jimmy Bullard's face

    Entertainment
  • Audiences turn to classic comedy to combat January blues
  • Keira Knightley makes heartbreaking admission about Pirates movies after saying she went through years of therapy
  • What Orlando Bloom has said about returning to Pirates movies after Keira Knightley makes heartbreaking admission
  • Keira Knightley admits she agrees with viewers' ‘creepy’ complaint about Love Actually