Anya Taylor-Joy Opens Up About Childhood Bullying

She's one of the acting world's most stylish and beautiful stars, beloved of fashion houses and film studios.

But was bullied at school because of the way she looked, despite going on to sign with a modelling agency at just 16 years old, The Hollywood Reporter reports.

The actress, 30, relocated from Argentina to London when she was just six and enrolled at the fee-paying Queen's Gate School in South Kensington.

But she was immediately alienated by her peers when she kissed a classmate on the cheek, after which she was repeatedly told that she wasn't beautiful.

For a glamorous shoot in the US industry publication, the actress poses in a white lace Ludovic de Saint Sernin jacket and skirt, while in another photo she wears a glittering silver Rabanne outfit.

Another shot for The Hollywood Reporter sees her playing in the sea, wearing a satin Datt Official gown and in another she lounges on the beach in a black Lanvin dress.

Despite being teased for her appearance, Ms Taylor-Joy was just a teenager when a car pulled up alongside her while she tried to break in a pair of high heels for a party outside Harrods.

Sarah Doukas, the head of modelling agency Storm, was in the car and wanted to sign her on the spot.

Ms Taylor-Joy told her she had 'no interest in modelling,' but heard 'that sometimes models become actors' and she already knew 'that's what I want to do with my life.'

Following a string of roles in horror films such as 2016's The Witch and Split she made a name for herself in Netflix's smash hit chess series The Queen's Gambit.

For 2024's Mad Max film, Furiosa, in which she played the lead character, she had to lobby director George Miller to get the ending she wanted.

'This was my dream. It was my dream to be in these Mad Max movies and as this crazy feminist icon,' she said.

'I just advocated and advocated and advocated for her to live up to her name. It was my mountain on that movie, and I got it, but it was hard, hard won.'

She said it was 'very difficult' to have a conversation about the 81-year-old Australian director, as being 'completely honest' about her experience would 'hurt nobody but myself.'