Jessie Buckley has taken the world by storm this year. Her performance in Hamnet earned her awards and global recognition. She is now an international movie star. But her path to this success started long before Hamnet. Looking back at her early career reveals the challenges that shaped her.
Before she was on screen, Buckley was a musical theater performer in London. She appeared on the BBC competition show I’d Do Anything. The show searched for a young woman to play Nancy in a West End revival of Oliver! At the time, it seemed like a small step. But Buckley recently shared that the experience was eye-opening and tough. It taught her about fame, public scrutiny, and the pressures of being a reality star before being taken seriously as an actress.
Reality TV was both an opportunity and a struggle for Buckley. In the early 2000s, talent competitions were everywhere. They promised a shot at fame, but they came with a stigma. Reality stars were often not taken seriously. The BBC and Andrew Lloyd Webber created a theater-focused competition to find a “new star” for the stage. Many contestants were already experienced performers, but the audience didn’t know that.
Buckley was just 17 when she went on the show. She told Vogue UK that she was struggling with her mental health at the time. The show was intense. Contestants faced boot camp-style challenges, critical judges, and nationwide scrutiny. Buckley recalled a lot of body-shaming and pressure to fit a certain image. She said, “I was growing into my body. I was 17. I was in a moment of discovery. As women, it’s such unfair objectification.”
She admitted she wouldn’t have been brave enough to do it now. Buckley didn’t win the role. She turned down an offer to understudy the winner. Looking back, she sees it as the right decision. It allowed her to follow her own path in theater.
Buckley’s reality TV experience is now a key part of her story. Not everyone who goes on a competition show makes it to Hollywood. Reality TV can be a launchpad, but it can also be emotionally challenging. Buckley said, “When you’re told to mold yourself into a shape that doesn’t naturally fit you, it can be self-destructive.” But she used the experience to grow. She learned to trust herself and her craft.
Her journey from reality TV contestant to award-winning actress also helps change perceptions. Many now see that talent matters more than the platform you start on. Jennifer Hudson went from American Idol to EGOT success. Emma Stone appeared on a VH1 talent show early in her career. Buckley’s story shows that reality TV can be a stepping stone, not a limitation.
Her path also carries a warning. Fame and recognition come with major mental and emotional challenges. Reality TV can open doors, but you need to be prepared for the pressures that follow. Buckley’s rise reminds us that talent, resilience, and self-belief are what truly make a star.
