Over the past two decades, Romola Garai has evolved from a fledgling actress to an international sensation. In many ways, she has matured before our very eyes, and her fans have relished accompanying her on this journey. The British actress has gained acclaim for her versatility in portraying a wide array of characters, finding success in both film and television. She is best known for her roles in movies like Atonement and TV shows like The Crimson Petal and the White. Romola is the kind of actress who infuses every role with a unique touch, and her dedication has not gone unnoticed. Delve into these 10 lesser-known facts about Romola Garai.
1. Mary Wollstonecraft: A Role She Dreams of Playing
Romola has established herself as a staunch feminist throughout her career. She has tirelessly challenged the entertainment industry’s treatment of women. Consequently, it’s no surprise that she would relish the opportunity to portray Mary Wollstonecraft, one of the founding figures of feminist philosophy.
2. A Thespian at Heart
While most people are familiar with Romola’s on-screen work, she is also an accomplished stage actress. In fact, she has consistently performed in theater productions between her on-screen projects. Over the years, she has appeared in numerous plays, including a 2007 production of King Lear and a 2017 production of Queen Anne.
3. A Global Upbringing
Romola’s life has been nothing short of fascinating in terms of the places she has called home. Although she is British, she was born in Hong Kong. Her family later moved to Singapore, where she lived for several years before relocating to England. She resided in Wiltshire until she moved to London at the age of 16.
4. A Lifelong Learner
Romola firmly believes that there is always something new to learn, regardless of one’s expertise. She revels in the process of expanding her knowledge. Although her days as a student are behind her, she remains committed to broadening her horizons.
5. A Private Family Life
Romola is not the type of celebrity who enjoys sharing her personal life with the world, and it’s easy to understand why she would want to maintain her privacy. What we do know is that she is happily married to actor Sam Hoare, and the couple has two children together.
6. One of Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers
In 2017, renowned movie producer Harvey Weinstein found himself at the center of a major scandal when several women in the entertainment industry accused him of sexual harassment and/or assault. Romola was among the women who accused Weinstein. She recounted, “Like every other woman in the industry, I’ve had an ‘audition’ with Harvey Weinstein, where I’d actually already had the audition but you had to be personally approved by him. So I had to go to his hotel room in the Savoy, and he answered the door in his bathrobe. I was only 18. I felt violated by it, it has stayed very clearly in my memory.”
7. A Multitalented Artist
Romola is a natural in front of the camera, but she also excels behind the scenes. In 2020, she made her directorial debut with the horror film Amulet, which she also wrote. The movie starred Carla Juri and Alec Secareanu. It’s highly likely that we’ll see more writing and directing work from her in the future.
8. A Passion for Complex Characters
Some actors prefer to play it safe by only taking on roles they consider simple or relatable. Romola, however, is the polar opposite. She thrives on challenges and relishes the opportunity to portray complex characters.
9. Social Media: Not Her Cup of Tea
Romola has fans from all corners of the globe, many of whom would undoubtedly love to follow her on social media. Unfortunately for them, social media just isn’t her thing. She doesn’t have any official accounts on any social media platforms, although there are some fan accounts dedicated to her.
10. An English Degree to Her Name
English majors can take heart, as there is hope after all. Romola earned a degree in English literature from Open University in the UK. While her career path may not be typical for an English major, it serves as an example of the versatility of English degrees.
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