Actress Anya Taylor-Joy has described her evolving relationship with public scrutiny, detailing the emotional toll of global fame and her struggle to stop hiding from public attention.
Speaking in an extensive joint interview alongside singer Miley Cyrus for V Magazine, the actor reflected on how she has managed public exposure as her career expanded. When Cyrus asked how she protected herself from intense public visibility, Taylor-Joy admitted that she had over-protected herself over the years.
She stated that it took her time to stop feeling as though she was being hunted and to overcome the impulse to hide. She added that she eventually learned to take external noise less seriously by discerning which opinions truly mattered and which were based on little or no actual knowledge.
Home invasion in London
Managing public criticism represents only one aspect of fame for the star, who previously confronted a far more dangerous situation at her residence. In 2023, an armed intruder broke into a luxury home in London where Taylor-Joy was staying with her husband, musician Malcolm McRae.
According to a report by the Associated Press, the burglar attempted to force open the bedroom door of Taylor-Joy and McRae using a crowbar. The intruder fled the scene after McRae confronted the situation by claiming that he possessed a firearm. The perpetrator was subsequently apprehended and sentenced to three years in prison.
Entertainment Weekly highlighted her remarks on social media on September 2, 2026, noting her admission that adjusting to widespread recognition initially made her want to retreat from public view.
Rise to prominence
Taylor-Joy first built her reputation in independent cinema, gaining critical acclaim for her roles in the period horror film The Witch and the dark comedy Thoroughbreds. She subsequently starred alongside Scottish actor James McAvoy in director M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller Split.
Her career reached global prominence with her starring role in the Netflix miniseries The Queen's Gambit, which earned widespread international success. She is currently preparing for a major role in filmmaker Denis Villeneuve's third installment of the Dune film franchise, playing the sister of lead character Paul Atreides, portrayed by actor Timothée Chalamet.
Managing expectations for Dune Part Three
When Cyrus inquired about how she manages the pressure associated with joining a massive cinematic franchise, Taylor-Joy offered a reassuring perspective. She explained that she never allowed external pressure to concern her, maintaining that while she hopes moviegoers enjoy the final film, she remains a dedicated fan herself of the story world, the director, and the character.
She emphasized that she approaches every acting project with the same mindset, combining total dedication to the present moment with an open heart and curiosity, regarding every role as an adventure.
Addressing expectations surrounding Dune: Part Three, Taylor-Joy noted that the primary pressure she experiences originates from her own high standards rather than public expectations. She shared that she continues to push herself to deliver her best work, describing her personal demands as at times exhausting. Over time, she added, she has learned that achieving perfection often means understanding when to let things evolve naturally.
