Summary
- Emilia Clarke's different hair color and appearance in Game of Thrones allows her to maintain a low profile and go unrecognized in public.
- Despite being alongside her former co-stars, people often overlook Emilia Clarke and focus on others instead.
- The drastic change in her appearance for the role of Daenerys Targaryen has allowed Clarke to have a normal life and interact with others outside of her fame.
When Emilia Clarke first auditioned for the role of Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones, she thought there was no way she would land the job. With the show stating they were looking for a female with blonde hair, Clarke and her dark brown locks didn't fit the bill.
However, the actress was filled with delight when she received a call that she was going to play the part of Khaleesi on the new HBO show. In the end, the star's hair color didn't pose a problem whatsoever. In fact, the differing shades actually proved to be beneficial when it came to her real life.
Emilia Clarke Admitted No One Recognizes Her From Game Of Thrones
When visiting the set of Conan O'Brien, Emilia Clarke said that she is rarely noticed in public. Even with all the poignant, iconic, and dramatic scenes she played in the show, she is able to keep a low profile when she's out and about.
Other actors have said the same, including Matt Damon, who said he doesn't have an issue going to stores or events because he blends in with others in his appearance and doesn't have unique features that stick out from the crowd.
While some stars may feel offended at not routinely being stopped on the street or asked for autographs and pictures at every turn, many appreciate being able to fall into a normal type of life when not working. As Emilia Clarke continues to take on new roles in Hollywood, she may lose this ability due to becoming more recognizable to others.
Although she has said no to big-name projects, perhaps because she's not interested in the kind of fame that comes with a blockbuster.
Even While Out With Co-Stars, Most People Don't Recognize Emilia
With several seasons of filming together under their belts, the cast of Game of Thrones has grown close and is often seen together at public events and screenings. While one would think that being alongside her former co-stars would make Clarke more recognizable to fans, the opposite is true.
Even when she stands next to the show's top runners like Kit Harrington or Jason Momoa, people will gush over the others and leave Emilia out of the interaction. That's quite the opposite of that time Brad Pitt bit over a hundred grand for a 'date' with Emilia.
In the interview with Conan, Emilia Clarke recounts a situation in which she was with one of her co-stars and was not only asked to take a picture of them with the co-star but then questioned (when they thought they were out of earshot) who "that girl" was by his side.
Clarke finds the interactions humorous but admits that she sometimes feels like screaming that it's her, Khaleesi.
The biggest reason that fans don't recognize one of the most popular actresses in public is because of the difference in her appearance between the show and real life. In addition to the stark contrast in hair color and outfit choices, the star's personality on the show is night and day from the person she portrays in her everyday life.
All of these create a circumstance in which she isn't easily seen as the role that made her famous.
Emilia Clarke's Iconic Wig Helped Her Stayed Incognito
Before securing the role of Daenerys Targaryen, Emilia Clarke was concerned that her dark hair color would deter the directors from choosing her due to the specs requesting a blonde actress for the part. However, those casting for the role were so impressed with her acting ability that the brown hair on top of her head didn't matter.
When it came time to film, not one but several blonde wigs filled in to account for the discrepancy. While Clarke cycled through the wigs as she worked through the seasons, there was a time she decided to take the plunge and dye her hair blonde. Although the actress had good intentions, the experience did not go as well as planned, and the wigs came back out of storage.
It's likely that if the writers of Game of Thrones decided to make Daenerys Targaryen a brunette instead of a blonde to include Emilia Clarke's natural hair color, the actress wouldn't enjoy the solitude and privacy that she enjoys today. Alternatively, if Clarke decided to make another temporary or permanent switch to blonde, chances are also high that she would be frequently sought after in public.
In that vein, it's highly beneficial that Clarke was cast in a role that wasn't overly similar in looks to her natural self. With this drastic change, she has been able to switch from a well-known star to a regular Samaritan in a matter of minutes.
Not many who work in the entertainment industry can pull this off, limiting their ability to lead normal lives and interact with others outside the studio. While the oversight may perturb some up-and-coming stars, it should be seen as a blessing in disguise.
