Emily Ratajkowski’s journey from a young girl with artistic roots to a prominent figure in fashion, film, and literature is a testament to her multifaceted talents and resilience. Born in London in 1991 to American parents—her mother, Kathleen Balgley, an English professor and writer, and her father, John David Ratajkowski, a painter—Emily was immersed in a creative environment from the start. Raised in Encinitas, California, she spent her childhood summers in Ireland and Spain, experiences that enriched her cultural perspective and artistic sensibilities.
At the age of 14, Emily was signed by Ford Models, marking the beginning of her modeling career. Balancing her education at San Dieguito Academy with modeling assignments, she gained early experience in the industry. Her initial foray into acting came with a role in the Nickelodeon series “iCarly,” where she appeared in two episodes. Despite these early successes, Emily remained committed to her education, enrolling at UCLA to study fine art. However, after a year, she decided to focus on her burgeoning modeling career.
Emily’s modeling career gained significant momentum with her appearance on the cover of Treats! magazine in 2012, which led to her casting in Robin Thicke’s music video for “Blurred Lines.” This exposure catapulted her into the spotlight, resulting in opportunities to work with major brands and designers. She walked the runway for Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, and Versace, and became the face of campaigns for DKNY, Paco Rabanne, and The Kooples.
Transitioning into film, Emily made her big-screen debut in David Fincher’s “Gone Girl” (2014), portraying the mistress of Ben Affleck’s character. She continued to build her acting portfolio with roles in “Entourage,” “We Are Your Friends,” and “I Feel Pretty.” Despite these accomplishments, Emily grew disillusioned with Hollywood, feeling objectified and constrained by the industry’s focus on her appearance. In 2020, she made the decision to step back from acting, expressing her frustrations in interviews and her 2021 book, “My Body.”