Cate Blanchett: 'I've dated women many times'

Cate Blanchett has opened up about her romance history, confessing she has dated women "many times".

The Oscar winner romances Rooney Mara in their new film Carol, which is based on author Patricia Highsmith's controversial 1952 gay romance novel The Price of Salt.

And in a new interview with Variety, the Blue Jasmine star was asked if the role was her "first turn as a lesbian", to which Blanchett replied, "On film or in real life?"

Refusing to elaborate on her past romances, the Australian star did admit to being in female relationships "many times," noting she's "never thought about putting a label on sexuality".

Blanchett has been married to filmmaker Andrew Upton since 1997 and the couple has four children together.