Anya Taylor-Joy Facts: Things You Might Not Know About 'The Queen's Gambit' Star
Anya Taylor-Joy was born in Miami, Florida, on April 16, 1996. She comes from a background that is half English and half Spanish, with her father, Dennis Alan Taylor, a former banker, and her mother, Jennifer Marina Joy, a psychologist. Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for Disney

Anya Taylor-Joy, the youngest of six siblings and a native of Miami, Florida, has rapidly risen to stardom in the acting world.

Her impressive career includes a breakthrough performance in "The Witch," a compelling presence in M. Night Shyamalan's imaginative thrillers "Split" and "Glass," and her currently trending role in the Netflix sensation "The Queen's Gambit" (which has been credited with boosting sales of chess sets due to the show's popularity).

Additionally, she took on the part of Illyana Rasputin in the highly anticipated, albeit long-delayed, film "The New Mutants."

Anya Taylor-Joy has already achieved considerable acclaim with undeniable talent and a unique acting style that exudes strength and reserve.

Below are four Anya Taylor-Joy facts you probably did not know.

She Was Discovered While Walking Her Dog

Anya Taylor-Joy's journey into modeling and acting began unconventionally. Standing at a tall 5'8" with striking and unique features, she initially pursued a career in modeling.

Her foray into this field started at the age of sixteen in London when she was discovered by Sarah Doukas of Storm Model Management, the same agency that discovered supermodel Kate Moss.

The intriguing twist to her story is that she was scouted while walking her dog, which does not typically involve wearing heels, per Hollywood Insider.

Anya Taylor-Joy's entrance into the modeling world was serendipitous, as she recalls when she was scouted while walking her dog in heels. It was her first time wearing heels, and this unique encounter paved the way for her modeling career. However, her visit to Storm Model Management in London, the agency that discovered her, stirred a different ambition within her.

She expressed, "From the second I walked into Storm, I thought, 'I want to be an actor.' I didn't think I could be a model."

Her true calling was in the world of acting, and this realization ultimately led her to transition from modeling to acting, setting the stage for her remarkable journey in the entertainment industry.

She Doesn't Have Formal Acting Training

Despite some early exposure to drama in elementary school and a general interest in acting, Anya Taylor-Joy had relatively limited acting experience before her breakthrough role in "The Witch."

Her journey into the world of acting was marked by a swift and impactful rise to stardom.

Anya Taylor-Joy's aspirations reach beyond acting, as she has expressed her desire to step into the realm of directing in the future. While her heart is currently dedicated to her acting career, she envisions a time when she can explore the world of directing. Her ambitions extend to a wide array of creative pursuits, and she looks forward to the day when she can bring her directorial vision to life.

While her primary focus currently remains on her acting endeavors, she harbors ambitious goals for her future in entertainment.

Harry Potter Taught Her English

Anya Taylor-Joy's journey to learn English is remarkable, and it has a magical touch to it, TVOvermind noted.

When she moved to London, she was reluctant to learn English and even contemplated returning to Argentina.

However, her uncle played a pivotal role in language acquisition by introducing her to the beloved Harry Potter books.

In her own words, she explained, "I wanted to go home, and in my six or seven-year-old mentality, I thought my parents would have to take me back if I didn't speak the language."

Her uncle came to the rescue by sitting her down with the iconic Harry Potter series. As a result, her language skills developed at an early age, and she described her linguistic progress as quite precocious, attributing much of her learning to those magical books.

This heartwarming story underscores the power of literature and imagination in helping individuals overcome language barriers and adapt to new environments.

She Got Bullied in High School

Anya Taylor-Joy's high school experience in London was challenging and distressing.

She faced bullying from her classmates, and much of it stemmed from feeling like she did not quite fit in, making it difficult for others to understand her.

The bullying took various forms, including the distressing ordeal of being locked in lockers multiple times and facing harassment on social media.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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