I was told to slim down for 'Pearl Harbor': Kate Beckinsale

London: Actress Kate Beckinsale has revealed she was asked by director Michael Bay to work out for her role in 2001 romantic action war film "Pearl Harbor".

The 42-year-old actress was advised she needed to lose weight to star as nurse Lt Evelyn Johnson in the drama, reported Female First.

"I don't think I fitted the type of actress Michael Bay had met before. I'd just had my daughter and had lost weight. But I was told if I wanted the part I'd have to work out, and I just didn't understand why a 1940s nurse would do that," she said.

The "Love & Friendship" star also recalled some of the harsh comments made by Bay during the film's promotion.

"When we were promoting the film, Michael was asked why he had chosen Ben Affleck and Josh Hartnett for the lead roles. He said, 'I have worked with Ben before and I love him, and Josh is so manly and a wonderful actor.'

"And then when asked about me, he said, "Kate wasn't so attractive that she would alienate the female audience". He kept saying it everywhere we went, ie a lot of places.