Knightley Frustrated with Talk of Her Curves

Kiera Knightley doesn't want to be just another famous face (and figure) in the tabloids. The svelte star wishes that the media would get over its body-image fixation with stars and look at their work. In an interview with Reuters, Knightley spoke out about her frustration. "It's really frustrating, and particularly when you come to Venice film festival with a film that is an intelligent film. It's a thought-provoking film you can really have a good discussion about." Knightley, 22, was at the festival to promote "Atonement," her latest big-screen endeavor. But instead of chatting up the film, the British actress found herself answering news conference questions about her figure.

Yet despite her frustration, she admits that the questions were not surprising. She says that the cast and crew of "Atonement" actually had a bet going on how many times the subject would be broached. Knightley's figure has been an object of a media fascination that has grown alongside her career. Speculation abounds as to whether or not the slender actress is anorexic, what kind of example she sets for young women, and of course, who she sees romantically.

Despite the fascination with her curves, Knightley's budding career is newsworthy in itself. The young star already has an Oscar nomination under her belt, for 2005's "Pride and Prejudice," in which she played Jane Austen's beloved heroine Elizabeth Bennet. Her new role, as Cecilia Tallis in "Atonement," is already garnering critical acclaim. And of course, there was the blockbuster "Pirates of the Caribbean" trilogy, in which she acted alongside co-stars Orlando Bloom, Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Depp.