Jessie Buckley has candidly shared the struggles she faced during her early days in the spotlight, reflecting on the harsh realities of reality TV.
Now 36, the Irish actress revealed that her debut on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s talent competition I’d Do Anything left her feeling “brutalised” and unfairly objectified.
At just 17, Jessie was thrust into the intense competition to land the role of Nancy in a West End revival of Oliver!.
Although she finished as runner-up to Jodie Prenger, the experience left lasting impressions on her mental health and self-perception.
A Teenager Navigating an Unforgiving Industry
Looking back, Jessie described the environment as a moment of both opportunity and vulnerability.
Speaking to Vogue, she said:
“I was 17. I was discovering myself.
As women, it’s such unfair objectification.
Back then, I was just trying to find my own space.”
She added that while she didn’t fully recognize the impact at the time, the feelings of discomfort and pressure were palpable.
“I really hope that young women never have to be brutalised the way I was,” she admitted, reflecting on the fine line between youthful curiosity and harsh industry realities.
Struggling Behind the Scenes
Jessie revealed that her mental health suffered during this period.
She admitted she was “not well fully,” battling depression and the effects of body shaming.
She also criticized aspects of the show, like “femininity school,” which made her feel scrutinized while she was still growing into her own body.
Despite finishing second, Jessie was offered a role as Jodie Prenger’s understudy in Oliver!.
In a bold move, she declined the offer, personally walking into the office of theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh and stating,
“Thank you, but I won’t be taking that job.”
This decision marked the start of a career she would shape on her own terms.
Theatre, TV, and the Big Screen
After her reality TV debut, Jessie carved out a successful path in theatre before transitioning to television and film.
She appeared in BBC dramas like War & Peace (2016) and Taboo (2017), but it was her breakout performance in Wild Rose (2018) as an aspiring country singer that truly captured attention, earning her a BAFTA nomination and a British Academy Scotland Award.
Her career continued to soar with roles in HBO’s Chernobyl, FX’s Fargo, and recognition in Forbes’ 2019 30 Under 30 list.
Jessie’s global profile skyrocketed with her portrayal of young Leda in The Lost Daughter (2021), a role that earned her a second BAFTA nomination and her first Academy Award nomination.
Reflecting on Childhood and Family
Jessie’s performance in The Lost Daughter also prompted personal reflection.
Raised in County Kerry, Ireland, as the eldest of five children, she grew up in a creative household—her father, Tim, a musician, and her mother, Marina, a vocal coach.
She reunited with her mother for the first time in two years at the London Film Festival premiere of The Lost Daughter.
The reunion was deeply emotional, with Jessie telling GQ:
“So much has happened in two years.
It was amazing to share this film with her.”
She also reflected on motherhood, drawing inspiration from her mother’s example:
“It’s hard balancing being a mother, being a wife, and being your own person.
Who are we to judge what being a good mother is?”
What’s Next for Jessie Buckley?
With a career spanning theatre, TV, and film, Jessie Buckley has proven her versatility and resilience.
From a challenging teenage start to international acclaim, she continues to choose roles that challenge her creatively while reflecting on her personal growth.
Audiences can expect more bold and nuanced performances from her in the coming years.
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