Don't strive to be famous, strive to be talented | Maisie Williams | TEDxManchester

Summary

Maisie Williams, best known for her role in 'Game of Thrones,' shares her journey from an ordinary childhood with big dreams of becoming a dancer to her unexpected success as an actress. She candidly discusses the challenges and opportunities she encountered, including the creation of daisie, a social media platform for artists to collaborate and build careers. Her TEDx Talk emphasizes the importance of perseverance, learning, and the power of believing in oneself, inspiring others to pursue their passions despite the odds.

Takeaways

• 🎭 Maisie Williams is an actress known for her role in 'Game of Thrones' and her relatable, humorous personality.
• 📚 She admits to feeling unprepared and inadequate as a public speaker, despite being a successful actress.
• 🏠 Maisie grew up in a humble environment with a large family, which shaped her resilience and determination.
• 💃 From a young age, she had a passion for dance and aspired to become a professional dancer, showcasing her dreams and dedication.
• 🚫 Financial constraints and lack of government funding initially hindered her dream of attending a stage school.
• 🔑 She found opportunities in talent shows and acting workshops, which led to her joining an acting agency and pivoting towards acting.
• 🐉 Her audition for 'Game of Thrones' was a turning point, leading to her international fame and recognition.
• 🏆 'Game of Thrones' became a monumental success, earning numerous awards and setting records in television history.
• 💡 Inspired by the challenges in the creative industry, Maisie co-founded 'daisie', a social media platform for artists to collaborate and build careers.
• 💼 She emphasizes the importance of collaboration in the creative industry and aims to empower creators through 'daisie'.
• 🌟 Maisie encourages continuous learning, asking questions, and having the courage to dream big, highlighting her belief in the potential of everyone.

Q & A

Who is Maisie Williams and what is her profession?

Maisie Williams is an actress, known for her role in the television series 'Game of Thrones', where she was nominated for an Emmy.

What was Maisie Williams' initial dream before she became an actress?

Maisie Williams initially dreamed of becoming a professional dancer since she was very young.

What was the first significant challenge Maisie faced in pursuing her dream of becoming a dancer?

The first significant challenge was the high cost of attending a stage school, which her family could not afford despite her receiving partial government funding.

How did Maisie Williams' involvement in a talent show lead to her acting career?

At the talent show, Maisie met Louise Johnston in an improvisation acting workshop, who found her performance amusing and subsequently invited her to join her acting agency.

What was the name of the television show that Maisie auditioned for and eventually starred in?

Maisie auditioned for and eventually starred in the television show 'Game of Thrones'.

How has 'Game of Thrones' impacted Maisie Williams' career?

The show has made Maisie a well-known actress, with 'Game of Thrones' becoming one of the biggest shows in television history, earning her an Emmy nomination.

What is the name of the social media platform for artists that Maisie Williams co-founded?

Maisie Williams co-founded a social media platform for artists called 'daisie'.

What was the main purpose behind creating 'daisie'?

The main purpose of creating 'daisie' was to provide a platform for artists to collaborate with one another and create a career, democratizing the creative industry.

How did Maisie Williams and her business partner Dom fund the initial development of 'daisie'?

They self-funded the initial development of 'daisie' by pooling together the money they had from their respective careers and businesses.

What does Maisie Williams hope to achieve with 'daisie' in the creative industry?

Maisie hopes that 'daisie' will give power back to the creators, encouraging them to build a network of contacts and support each other in the creative world.

What advice does Maisie Williams give to people who want to succeed in their dreams?

She advises people to trust that they are good enough, ask questions, be open to learning, admit when they don't know something, and dare to dream big.