BERLIN — Kate Winslet said yesterday that filming love scenes is "part of the job" as an actress and she does not allow it to distract her from portraying complex characters such as an illiterate former concentration camp guard.

Winslet spoke to reporters at the Berlin Film Festival, where "The Reader" was being previewed.

Winslet said she "felt strongly ... that I had to make her a human being," and show her feeling shame and guilt.

Her portrayal — which involved intimate love scenes with 18-year-old German actor David Kross — earned the 33-year-old Brit an Oscar nomination as best actress.

BALE GIVES SELF A STERN TALKING-TO

LOS ANGELES — Christian Bale says he acted like a "punk" and called his profane tongue-lashing on the set of "Terminator Salvation" inexcusable.

On a Los Angeles morning radio show yesterday, Bale said he never intended to get physical with cinematographer Shane Hurlbut. He also said he was likely channeling too much of his character, John Conner.

Bale also told the "Kevin and Bean" show on KROQ 106.7 that he and Hurlbut reconciled and worked together for another month following the tirade.

A recording of the outburst, which occurred last year on the set in New Mexico, was posted this week on the celebrity gossip site TMZ and has become an Internet sensation.

HUDSON PREPS FOR GRAMMYS

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Days after returning to the spotlight with a Super Bowl appearance, Jennifer Hudson is booked for Grammy-related events, including a party tonight honoring music mogul Clive Davis.

At a rehearsal Thursday night for that, Hudson sang her hit "Spotlight" and she and Davis embraced.

Hudson is up for four Grammys and also will perform on tomorrow's broadcast. The Oscar winner had not performed publicly since the October slayings of her mother, brother and nephew.

ETTA JAMES EASES UP ON BEYONCE

NEW YORK — Etta James says she was joking when she said she "can't stand Beyonce" and would "whip" the singer for performing James' hit "At Last" at an inaugural ball for President Obama.

The 71-year-old tells the New York Daily News she "didn't really mean anything" by her remarks at a concert last week. But James also says she could have done a better job than Beyonce.

Beyonce portrayed James — and sang the 1941 song — in last year's "Cadillac Records" film.

JESSICA SIMPSON HAS 'AN OFF NIGHT'

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A bizarre 38-minute set by opening act Jessica Simpson stole the spotlight from headliner Rascal Flatts.

The Grand Rapids Press said Simpson forgot her lyrics, struggled with her ear monitors, mumbled through songs and fought back tears at Thursday night's arena show.

At one point, the 28-year-old asked her backing band to start over on a song, and she forgot the words to another.

"Jessica had an off night," Simpson representative Cindi Berger said yesterday.

Simpson apologized to the supportive audience of about 9,000 by mouthing "sorry" on two large video screens. She appeared to be wiping away tears after finishing the last song and walking off the stage.