Daisy Ridley, renowned for her role as Rey in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, recently revealed her diagnosis with graves’ disease, a condition affecting the thyroid. In a candid interview with Deadline, Ridley discussed how the stress from her role in the film Magpie contributed to her health issues.

When her symptoms first started, Ridley said, “I didn’t know what was happening to my body.” She first had exhaustion and weight loss, which are typical of graves’ illness symptoms. The illness, which quickens the body’s metabolism, can cause various mental and physical difficulties.

Her diagnosis came just as she was starting work on Magpie, a project that Ridley found especially challenging.  “It was a stressful role, and filming was intense,” she said. Her health issues were made worse by the strain of playing a complicated character in a situation when everything was on the line.

Ridley persisted in her dedication to her trade despite the difficulties. She underlined the significance of keeping her career and health under check. “I’ve learned that taking care of myself has to come first,” Ridley said. Her approach to upcoming initiatives has changed due to this new understanding, placing a higher priority on her health than her work obligations.

The impact of chronic illnesses on actors and their profession is often underestimated; nevertheless, Ridley’s openness regarding her diagnosis brings attention to this issue. Ridley states, “It’s important to talk about these things and support each other,”. Her strength is demonstrated both on and off screen by her determination and drive. 

Through sharing her story, Ridley not only brings attention to graves’ illness but also emphasizes how crucial self-care is in the hard field of filmmaking. Her experience serves as a reminder of Hollywood’s human side, where even the biggest actors struggle with personal issues.