Daisy Ridley: 6 Fun Facts You Didn't Know

While most of the world knows her as the resilient Rey from the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Daisy Ridley has a life story and a set of quirks that are just as compelling as any cinematic space opera. As she continues to diversify her portfolio with projects like the 2026 survival horror We Bury the Dead, fans are rediscovering the unique path she took to stardom.

From her early education in a prestigious performing arts school to her rare neurological traits, here is a deeper look into the facts that make Daisy Ridley one of the most interesting actors of her generation.

1. Boarding School at Age Nine

Long before she was navigating the sands of Jakku, Ridley was navigating the halls of the Tring Park School for the Performing Arts in Hertfordshire. She began her tenure at the independent boarding school at the tender age of nine and remained there until she was eighteen.

While some might assume this was a path of pure privilege, Ridley has been candid about her experience. She attended the school on a scholarship and has clarified that the nine years of private education didn't necessarily instill her with immediate confidence. Instead, she credits her self-assurance to growing up in a large, "chatty" family of five sisters. At Tring Park, she wasn't just acting; she was rigorously trained in musical theater, ballet, jazz dancing, and even tap.

2. She is "Cross-Dominant"

One of the most unique "fun facts" about Ridley is that she is cross-dominant (also known as mixed-handedness). This is different from being ambidextrous, where one can use both hands with equal skill for any task.

For Ridley, cross-dominance means she naturally favors different hands for different activities. For example, she might write with her right hand but use her left hand for tasks requiring strength or different types of coordination. This trait likely came in handy during her intensive lightsaber training for Star Wars, where she had to master complex, bilateral movements that often feel unnatural to those with a single dominant hand.

3. A "Matilda" Superfan

Every actor has a "spark" moment, and for a young Daisy Ridley, that spark was the 1996 film Matilda. Ridley has often cited Matilda Wormwood (played by Mara Wilson) as her ultimate childhood hero. She was so obsessed with the character’s intelligence and resilience that it helped shape her own aspirations toward performance. Ironically, while she grew up to be a global icon for a massive franchise, she admitted she wasn't actually a "Star Wars super-fan" as a child—she was much more interested in the magical world of Harry Potter.

4. The "Moaning Myrtle" Prank

Ridley’s time at boarding school wasn't without its mischief. In a hilarious anecdote she shared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Ridley revealed that she once tried to convince her classmates she was a secret child star in the Harry Potter films.

"I copy and pasted a picture of Moaning Myrtle into Microsoft Word, wrote 'Daisy Ridley' underneath it, and left that in the common room," she joked.

She admitted it was a "psychopathic" move, considering everyone she went to school with knew exactly who she was, but it remains a testament to her playful sense of humor.

5. Her Connection to "Dad’s Army"

Acting is in the Ridley bloodline, though not in the way many might expect. Her great-uncle was Arnold Ridley, a legendary English playwright and actor best known for playing the gentle Private Godfrey in the classic British sitcom Dad's Army.

Arnold was also a decorated soldier and the author of the famous play The Ghost Train. This connection to British cultural history gave Daisy a grounded perspective on the industry, viewing it as a craft passed down through generations rather than a shortcut to celebrity.

6. A Bartender Until the Very End

Perhaps the most grounded fact about Ridley is that she didn't stop working her "day job" even after she was cast as the lead in The Force Awakens. Ridley worked as a bartender in a London pub for nearly two years leading up to her big break. Even after the official announcement in early 2014, she continued to pull pints until December of that year. Her skills were so sharp that she reportedly jumped behind the bar at the film's wrap party in Ireland to help the staff serve her co-stars and crew.

Source - https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/articles/daisy-ridley-went-boarding-school-100007681.html

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