Biography of Mia Wasikowska
Mia Wasikowska is an Australian and Hollywood actress, director, and photographer. She shot to international stardom playing Alice Kingsleigh in Tim Burton's fantasy adventure "Alice in Wonderland". In 2010, Time magazine included Mia in its list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The total box office earnings of her films exceed one billion dollars. She has been nominated several times for prestigious awards in the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Childhood and Youth
Mia was born in the autumn of 1989 to Marzena Wasikowska and John Reid in Canberra, Australia. Her mother is Polish, and her father is a native Australian. She grew up with her older sister Jess and younger brother Kai.Her parents, both professional photographers, traveled the world with their young children, and Mia soaked up the atmosphere of every European city they explored. Winter in Saint Petersburg left a lasting impression on her. At eight, the family moved to her mother's homeland of Poland for an entire year.
In Europe, Mia began studying ballet. After returning to Australia, she continued attending ballet classes. Despite her wide circle of friends, she was naturally shy and quiet, with reading as her greatest passion. She admitted that if she didn't have to leave her room, she'd happily spend all her time there.
A film career never crossed Mia's mind. She was completely focused on dance, which she approached with total dedication:
At fifteen, she surprised herself by becoming increasingly drawn to acting. A ballet career was no longer an option due to an ankle injury.I started ballet at eight and went en pointe at thirteen. I spent 35 hours a week at the barre. But at some point, I didn't lose interest in ballet exactly—I just stopped enjoying it as much. This art form focuses too much on physical perfection. Cinema, on the other hand, explores and showcases our imperfections. We always had quality European films at home... I loved Krzysztof Kieślowski.
Once she learned that actors have agents, she started researching online. As she later recalled: "I googled acting agencies in Sydney, found what I was looking for, and just started acting."
Acting Career
Mia Wasikowska made her film debut at just fifteen, playing Lily in the crime drama "Suburban Mayhem" (2006). Around the same time, she portrayed Lily Watson in the medical TV series "All Saints."Over the next couple of years, Mia racked up several smaller roles: Amelia Hamilton in the teen drama "September," Sherry in the horror movie "Rogue," and Sophie in the TV series "In Treatment." She acted alongside Daniel Craig and Liev Schreiber in the war film "Defiance" (Chaya Dziencielsky), and with Richard Gere and Hilary Swank in the drama "Amelia" (Elinor Smith).
When the fantasy film hit theaters, Wasikowska achieved tremendous success. For the young actress, it was her first major starring role, and she fondly remembered her co-stars – Johnny Depp, who brilliantly played the Mad Hatter, and the two queens – the White and Red – Anne Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.
She played terminally ill cancer patient Annabel Cotton in the drama "Restless" (2011). Her character defies fate and throws herself completely into loving a young man who lost his parents. Henry Hopper portrayed Enoch Brae on screen.
In 2013, Wasikowska starred in the psychological thriller "Stoker." Her character, India Stoker, cannot come to terms with her father's death, and her strained relationship with her mother (played by Nicole Kidman) becomes even more complicated. Her life turns into a nightmare with the arrival of Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode), who had been absent for about twenty years.
She also delved into literary adaptations, tackling Russian master Fyodor Dostoevsky in the thriller "The Double" and bringing Gustave Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" to life in the lead role.
Mia also stepped behind the camera as writer and director, crafting segments for both "The Turning" and the international anthology "Madly." She's even admitted that directing appeals to her more than acting.I mean a specialist in ghost literature. He told me what to read to get into the right headspace and really immerse myself in that mystical world. During five months of filming, I devoured tons of books. I even discovered a new favorite—Henry James' 'The Turn of the Screw.' I'd recommend it to anyone who loves psychological ghost stories!
She returned as Alice in 2016's "Alice Through the Looking Glass," then completely transformed her image the following year as Anna Novak in the biographical thriller "The Man with the Iron Heart."
One of Wasikowska's standout performances was as Judy in the noir comedy "Judy and Punch," followed by her turn as preacher's wife Helen Hatton in the crime thriller "The Devil All the Time." In 2021, she played Amy in the Cannes premiere "Bergman Island."
In 2022, she starred in Robert Connolly's "Blueback," based on Tim Winton's novel about a young diver named Abby who befriends a blue groper. The unusual bond drives Wasikowska's character to protect the remarkable fish from poachers.
Personal Life of Mia Wasikowska
Mia Wasikowska keeps her romantic life private. She attributes this discretion not to being difficult or snobbish, but simply to her personality and values.Her only confirmed relationship was with "The Social Network" star Jesse Eisenberg, whom she met while filming "The Double" in 2013.
The couple kept things low-key for two years—both avoided the party scene and media spotlight. But in 2015, Jesse rekindled his romance with former girlfriend Anna Strout, who later had his child. Neither star has ever discussed what led to their split.
Rumors later connected her to Robert Pattinson in 2017.
Mia Wasikowska Now
In 2023, Mia took on the dark satirical thriller "Club Zero," playing a young teacher who arrives at an elite school and develops intense connections with her students.Her character, Miss Novak, has a twisted philosophy—convincing students to stop eating in pursuit of eternal life. Disturbingly, she gains devoted followers. Mia explained this phenomenon as follows:
...Many want to think for themselves and become independent. I think she opens up new possibilities for them while pushing her own agenda, tapping into the vulnerability and fear that's already there.
Interesting Facts
- Mia was a shy kid from the start. She struggled to connect with other children and adults. But her imagination knew no bounds. Mia would create entire worlds where she'd walk with an invisible puppy and chat with invisible friends who totally got her.
- For her Alice role, Wasikowska said she often worked with imaginary scene partners, replaced on set by cardboard cutouts. The director felt this approach helped the actress tap into her imagination faster.
- After wrapping "Alice in Wonderland," Wasikowska chopped off her hair and donated her gorgeous red curls to make wigs for the Children's Cancer Foundation, highlighting the struggles young cancer patients face.
- Mia's obsessed with candid photography. Her shots never feature deliberate poses. She loves "spying" on behind-the-scenes moments during prep and setup. For "Jane Eyre," costume designers even added hidden pockets to her dresses so she could stash a small camera within reach.
- Wasikowska reportedly turned down Polish citizenship offered by the government - something that would've been a major honor for Poland. Mia never explained her decision.