Biography of Cailee Spaeny
Cailee Spaeny is an American actress and singer. She stars in the biographical film "Priscilla," which tells the story of the relationship between the famous musician and his wife, as well as the action films "Civil War" and "Alien: Romulus."
Childhood
The future actress was born on July 24, 1997, in Knoxville, Tennessee, and grew up in Springfield, Missouri. She grew up in a loving family that enthusiastically supported her creative aspirations.A passionate singer, Cailee initially considered pursuing music as a career (she even released her first and only single "Fallin" at 18), but vibrant Disney series sparked her interest in acting instead.
During her teenage years, Cailee spent all her free time at the local community theater. Spaeny played Dorothy in the production of "The Wizard of Oz." She probably never imagined she'd one day shine on screen with the role of Priscilla, Elvis Presley's wife, in her filmography—an enchanting brunette with expressive eyes.
First Roles
Cailee's first screen work was the short film "Counting to 1,000," released in 2016. Directors took notice of the talented newcomer, and she soon landed a role in "Pacific Rim: Uprising." Cailee scored the lead role of Amara Namani, the second pilot. Alongside her, John Boyega played the pilot Jake.Cailee admitted the preparation was grueling, especially physically—the role demanded serious athletic training and mandatory workouts. Filming took place in various parts of the world.
In 2018, Cailee appeared in "Bad Times at the El Royale." In this detective thriller, she played Rose Summerspring, an accomplice of the cult leader. On set, Chris Hemsworth and Dakota Johnson worked alongside Spaeny. She became friends with Dakota, who took the newcomer under her wing.
That same year, Spaeny appeared in the drama "On the Basis of Sex," based on the life of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the renowned equality advocate. She played Jane, the daughter of the main character.
Her next project was "Vice," which earned eight Oscar nominations. She played a supporting role as Lynne, Dick Cheney's wife in their younger years.
In 2020, Cailee starred in the miniseries "Devs," a story blending science fiction, mystery, and philosophical themes. For the project, the star had to cut her hair short.
She also appeared in the teen horror film "The Craft: Legacy." She transformed into Lily, a schoolgirl with magical abilities, who finds herself among other witches wanting to use her gift for their own purposes.
Career Highlights
The actress landed her breakthrough role in "Priscilla," where Kaylee played the main character, the wife of the famous Elvis Presley, portrayed by Jacob Elordi. The film tells the story of the complex relationship between the musician and his wife Priscilla, directed by Sofia Coppola.The actress had to put in extensive work, from costumes and wigs to capturing every emotional nuance that both audiences and Priscilla herself expected.
The film was shown at the Venice Festival, where it received rave reviews from critics and praise from the musician's ex-wife. The actress also won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress and earned a Golden Globe nomination.
In 2024, the actress starred in the film "Civil War." The film shows a near-future America where 19 states decide to secede from the country. Tensions escalate, civilians face grave danger, and the heroes must save the day. The actress played the role of a young journalist named Jessie, brilliantly portraying a wide range of emotions—from fear to excitement.
Spaeny was excited to talk about filming the $75 million movie. She didn't hide that it was challenging and intense, with actors working in tough conditions and little time to rest. Still, the overall experience was really positive. Alongside her, Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons were also part of the film.
In 2024, the blockbuster "Alien: Romulus" premiered. Here, the actress takes the lead as Rain, a brave girl trapped in a space colony where inhabitants face only one fate: death from exhausting labor. Together with an android named Andy, who replaces her younger brother, and friends, her character decides to escape to another planet by boarding a drifting spaceship in orbit. But the young people have no idea what horrors await them or what terrifying creatures Rain and her friends will face on their path to freedom.