Daisy Ridley, the talented British actress who captured the hearts of millions as Rey Skywalker in Disney’s Star Wars trilogy, had a humble beginning. She was a young actress in London, hustling like any other aspiring artist.
Before landing the life-changing role that propelled her to international fame, Ridley navigated the challenges of an up-and-coming actress, working odd jobs, including a two-year stint as a barmaid in London.
Daisy Ridley’s Journey from Bartender to Rey
In 2015, Daisy Ridley made her onscreen debut in the independent horror film Scrawl. However, her breakthrough moment came with the iconic role of Rey Skywalker in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Prior to this milestone, she spent approximately two years serving drinks as a barmaid at two different pubs in London.
“Not to float my own boat, but I’m a really good bartender, because I worked in two different pubs for, like a year-and-a-half, in a rowdy London district,” Ridley told Jimmy Fallon on NBC’s The Tonight Show in November 2017.
The actress also worked in a mall during the Christmas season, where she initially donned the attire of one of Father Christmas’s elves.
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The $150,000 Offer that Changed Everything
Amidst all these, Ridley squeezed into auditions whenever possible, landing small roles in television shows like Youngers and Mr Selfridge. Her dedication paid off in 2015 when she landed the life-altering role of Rey in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The call to join the Star Wars franchise came with a $150,000 offer, a turning point that marked the end of her days behind the bar and the beginning of her journey as a galactic heroine.
Her journey from a barmaid making under $10 an hour to a celebrated actress in one of the biggest film franchises in history is a testament to her talent and hard work.
The movie went on to set box office records, grossing more than $2.07 billion worldwide, while catapulting Ridley to international stardom.
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is available on Disney+
