While growing up, Gwendoline Christie was told she'd never be able to achieve her dreams because
of her height. However, after being on one of the most successful TV shows in history,
the actress has proved that not only can she accomplish whatever she wants but
also break gender roles in the process. Gwendoline Christie was born in England
and received a strict education, where she was supposed to be "quiet and intelligent".
As a child, she was passionate about dancing and gymnastics. However,
when she was 11, Gwendoline injured her back and had to end her sporting career.
According to the actress herself, she was being over-coached, and she was also growing very fast.
"My body decided that was it; no more," she told Stylist magazine.
Christie then decided that she wanted to be an actress. Soon,
she became obsessed with classical works and Shakespeare. When she was older, she began her
studies at London's prestigious Drama Center. In drama school, the performer was told
she'd never get work because of her height and androgynous look. The actress is six foot three,
which equals to 190 centimeters! When she was younger, Gwendoline had been
bullied for her unconventional appearance. Christie has explained her routine at Drama
Centre, saying that she used to work 12 hours a day, seven days a week. "I was told I was
rubbish every day," she revealed. Apparently, the purpose was to prepare her for the amount
of rejection she would get working as an actress. The performer believes it's important to shake up
beauty standards, which doesn't mean that the constant judgment doesn’t get to her.
Gwendoline found the initial rejections very frustrating. At one point, she thought,
"I'll give this another six months and if this persists, I'll become a nun".
Despite the initial difficulties, the "Game of Thrones" alumn jokes about her height now.
She told Harper's Bazaar that, at bars, she's able to catch the bartender's eye
more easily and get her drink quickly. "I also have a selfie-stick arm," she added.
While studying, Christie made a bold move to come to terms with her body: she collaborated with
photographer Polly Borland on a nude photoshoot! At the time, the collaboration was exciting
for the young actress. However, now that she's older, she's shocked that she gave
so much of herself and confessed to Stylist Magazine that she wouldn't do the same now.
During all this initial discouragement, there was another celebrity that inspired Gwendoline
to continue fighting for her dreams: Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton.
Christie realized that Swinton also had a physique unlike other actors. "I realized that maybe there
is a place for me too," the actress said. At that point, the future star had done a
lot of theater but realized she wanted to work on screen and told her agent.
What did he say? "Good luck with that." Gwendoline started getting some work in
films like "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" and plays like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Skin
Deep”. Then, fans started noticing the actress's resemblance to "Game of Thrones'" character
Brienne of Tarth and began speculating that she would play her in the upcoming HBO show. Christie
wasn't familiar with the character, but decided to look into it. Upon finding out more about Brienne,
Gwendoline thought the character could “change the way we view women on television.”
When the time to audition came, the performer gave it her all. She attended the casting in
character and wearing armor. The producers decided to cast her right away. According to
the original book’s author, George R.R Martin, "We looked at a dozen actresses who were reading
for Brienne, and one actress who WAS Brienne." Brienne defies archetypal notions of femininity,
which Gwendoline believes is "vitally important". The actress has confessed that, at times,
she has felt "pretty genderless" because of her size, so she wants to challenge prejudices.
Christie also told Nylon magazine all the things she adores about the character.
"She is an outsider; she's someone who has been maligned for the way that she looks,
and she's overcome that obstacle," the Emmy Award nominee said.
Gwendoline knew that "Game of Thrones'' would become an incredible representation of women.
The star told the People/Entertainment Weekly Network that the show would put women at the
forefront. "We were going to explore female characters in a way that conventionally doesn't
happen. We would explore their darkness. And we would spend more time on them."
The actress went on to say that women in "Game of Thrones" wouldn't just exist as
the mother, girlfriend, sister, or wife role. To prepare for the part, Gwendoline had to put a
lot of work into her physical appearance. She lost about 14 pounds and underwent physical training to
get into the right condition. She also trained in sword fighting and horse riding. And, of course,
she studied the books in detail. When explaining why she put in so much work, the performer said,
"I don't think I've ever wanted anything as much." The actress has no problem fighting for what she
wants. So much so that, in 2019, she decided to submit herself for Emmy after HBO didn't. The
network wanted to think strategically. They were worried that, if they submitted all the series
regulars in “Game of Thrones”, they would cancel each other out. Each submission also
came with a fee. Because of this, some actors self-submitted and paid the fee themselves.
Gwendoline confessed to the LA times that, although she found this hard to do, that she
would like to be in charge of her own destiny. The actress wanted to give herself opportunities,
especially after working so hard. “And I had to do it as a testament to the character and what
I feel she represents," Christie added. Gwendoline made the right call and got
nominated that year, along with co-stars Alfie Allen and Carice van Houten,
who had also submitted themselves. Other co-stars that HBO had submitted also earned nominations.
After beginning work in "Game of Thrones," Christie also got a part in Jane Campion's
"Top of the Lake: China Girl." The performer had been a fan of the director's work since
she was 11. When she watched the first series of "Top of the Lake," she felt really touched.
So much so that she wrote Campion a letter telling her how much she appreciated her work.
Four months after receiving the letter, Jane called Gwendoline and told her, "I've been
dreaming about you! I've written you a lead part in my new series. I hope you can do it." This,
of course, was a dream come true for the actress. The experience was so incredible that Christie
couldn't help but have an emotional moment during the show's premiere at the Cannes Film Festival.
When she was walking the stairs, Gwendoline felt lucky to have a career as an artist after being
told that she wouldn't. When she was about to start sobbing, Jane gave her a look that said,
"Pull yourself together!". And when the actress turned around for the photos, she wasn't crying.
More recently, the actress has managed to land a role in Netflix's commercial success,
"Wednesday." The Emmy Award nominee has admitted that the part made her feel "beautiful."
She also saw iconic actors like Tippi Hedren and Kim Novak for inspiration.
Christie has not only managed to find success in work, she's very happy in her personal life as
well. The actress is dating fashion designer Giles Deacon, who not only supports her,
but also sees her as "his muse". Deacon has worked with leading brands
and celebrities. In 2016, he launched his own haute couture collection. Giles has also worked
for the British royal family: he designed Pippa Middleton's wedding dress in 2017.
Before Giles and Gwendoline started dating, they were good friends. However,
the designer has confessed that it was love at first sight for him. "I was instantly
smitten," he told Grazia UK. Deacon explained that the way the actress carried herself was
unlike anything he had ever seen before. Finally, romance bloomed between the two on
New Year's Eve 2012. Since then, they have collaborated on a few projects.
The actress got a role in a London production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," and Giles
designed two dresses for her performance! Christie is a fan of her boyfriend's talent
and praises his "mind-bending" designs. "You always feel celebrated as a woman
when you wear them… Their confidence somehow increases yours," she told the Telegraph.
Deacon later revealed that the actress was the primary inspiration for his first couture
collection. "She's a fantastic muse," he added. Gwendoline regularly wears Giles' pieces on
Hollywood red carpets, especially at the Emmys. She has continued
praising the designer over the years. "He's an extraordinary person. He works with such great
sensitivity," the actress told Vogue Magazine. Gwendoline and Giles have been together for over
ten years, and it seems like they are able to make each other happy. So far,
neither of them has mentioned getting married, so we don't know if that's in the cards for them.
However, we are sure that, whatever happens in the future, Gwendoline will continue working
hard and fighting for what she believes in like she’s always done. Whatever happens,
here at Rumour Juice, we want to wish them both many more successes and a lifetime of happiness.