by Emilia Clarke rose to global fame through her portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, in HBO’s epic fantasy series Game of Thrones. Her character was one of the most popular and beloved of the entire show, striking a chord with viewers across the world. However, in recent years, Clarke has expressed discomfort with being referred to by Daenerys’ Dothraki title of ‘Khaleesi’. She has asked fans to stop using the nickname and to call her by her real name instead.
This reluctance towards the ‘Khaleesi’ moniker has puzzled and even frustrated some fans who see it as a term of endearment. They argue that Clarke should feel honored that her character made such an impact. However, the actress has stood firm, making it clear that the nickname does not sit well with her.
So what are the reasons behind Emilia Clarke’s discomfort with being called ‘Khaleesi’? It is a complex issue with deep roots in the entertainment industry’s history of objectification and the struggles faced by actresses. Examining the context behind the nickname reveals the troubling implications it carries which Clarke is eager to avoid.
The Dehumanizing Effect of Nicknames
Clarke has directly stated that being constantly called ‘Khaleesi’ feels “dehumanizing”. She explained, “It’s like being called ‘Mother of Dragons’ all the time. It’s not my name.” This gets to the heart of the problem – the nickname reduces a complex human being into a single identity linked to their famous role.
For over a decade, Emilia Clarke the person became intrinsically tied to Daenerys the character in the public imagination. Media coverage and fans referred to her interchangeably as ‘Emilia’ or ‘Khaleesi’, often using the two names together as if they were one identity. This is a common phenomenon familiar to many actors tied to an iconic role.
But unlike a mere professional nickname, ‘Khaleesi’ carries deeper connotations. It derives from a fictional language, for a fictional culture, referring to a royal title that Clarke’s character adopts. When fans use this term, they are looking at Clarke through the lens of the Mother of Dragons character – not as an actress and real human being.
This blurring of fiction and reality is creatively stifling for an actress trying to build a diverse career. The character and nickname overshadow their other work and talents. Being constantly equated with one role in the public eye threatens to define and limit Clarke beyond that singular character. It’s understandable she would feel dehumanized and want to assert her identity beyond ‘Khaleesi’.
The Objectifying Male Gaze
Emilia Clarke rose to fame as an astonishingly beautiful, silver-haired queen walking through fire in a wispy dress. The iconic ’emerging from flames’ scene in the first episode of Game of Thrones became instantly memorable. It announced Daenerys as a stunning figure audiences would gaze upon in awe and desire throughout the seasons.
This entrance set the tone for the camera’s often sexualized portrayal of Daenerys that relied heavily on Clarke’s beauty and partial nudity. Critics noted that the show used frequent nude scenes or sexualized framing of the Mother of Dragons early on to attract viewers.
Whether the showrunners’ motives were artistic or cynical, Clarke was directly impacted by being showcased under the male gaze on such a mass scale. In media interviews she was asked about her body and looks as much as her acting. Her Instagram comments filled up with remarks focused on her physical appearance.
Once again, the Khaleesi persona is intertwined with this history of objectification that Clarke has spoken about feeling uncomfortable with. Being constantly called by that name, no matter how positively fans may intend it, serves as a perpetual reminder. It implicitly conveys that above all else, she fulfills a visual fantasy linked to that sexualized character.
For an actress trying to assert herself in Hollywood as more than a screen siren, it’s understandable why breaking ties with the Khaleesi label offers some relief.
Restricting Acting Opportunities
Typecasting is a constant threat for actors in Hollywood, especially those who gain fame through hugely successful and distinctive roles. Their talents become so associated with that single character that people struggle to envision them in new parts.
Emilia Clarke’s nearly decade-long portrayal of Daenerys Targaryen was undoubtedly iconic. Her evolution from displaced princess to formidable conqueror left an indelible mark on pop culture history. Consequently, shaking off the Mother of Dragons persona to take on new roles poses a major challenge.
Constantly referring to Clarke as ‘Khaleesi’ off-screen only exacerbates this problem. It acts as a perpetual reminder in audiences’ minds, making it harder to separate the actress from her breakthrough role. Even unintentionally, it places expectations on the kinds of parts people want to see her in.
These limitations and expectations threaten an actor’s career. Clarke has spoken about her frustration with the industry trying to box her into ‘strong, feminist’ roles after Game of Thrones. Breaking characterization is critical for an actress to showcase the full extent of her talent.
Dropping the nickname is a symbolic step in Clarke’s mission to broaden her acting horizons beyond Daenerys Targaryen. It signals she is eager to take on vastly different roles that add new layers to her body of work. For ambitious artists, creative growth matters tremendously.
The Weight of Fame
Emilia Clarke was only 23 years old when cast in Game of Thrones, with very limited prior acting experience. Overnight she was catapulted to global stardom as the face of the biggest show in the world.
The pressures of fame came crashing down hard on someone so young. In interviews Clarke describes the intense scrutiny she faced from critics and fans, along with massive media attention constantly encroaching on her private life.
Suddenly her identity was inexorably tied to this cultural phenomenon – and by extension, tied to the Khaleesi persona. Everywhere she went Clarke was not just an actress, but the Mother of Dragons made flesh. Fans shouted Khaleesi on the streets when she walked by.
This intense pressure cooker of fame would be grueling for anyone to adapt to. But in your early 20s, still learning who you are and hoping for normalcy – it can feel crushing. Clarke has been open about her struggles with crippling anxiety, doubt, and even considering giving up acting entirely during the GoT years.
No wonder she is eager to distance herself from anything associated too closely with that period of time marked by constant public scrutiny. Hearing herself referred to as an extension of her fictional character likely reminds Clarke of the most stressful time in her professional life.
Considering this perspective, her desire to move on from the name Khaleesi becomes very reasonable. For her own mental health and personal growth, she needs room to define herself apart from Daenerys.
Looking Ahead as an Actress
In recent years, Emilia Clarke has been actively reinventing her career. She chooses diverse roles like her part in the holiday rom-com Last Christmas, a far cry from the fantasy epics she is known for. She makes her London theatrical debut soon in The Seagull.
Clarke is also branching out as a producer and starting her own production company. She aims to develop projects featuring complex female characters. Overall, it’s clear she has an eye on the future and building her resume as a flexible artistic force in the industry.
A key part of moving forward in her acting journey involves finding separation from her breakthrough role. This likely motivates her insistence that fans stop calling her by Daenerys’ Dothraki title. It represents a symbolic break with the past.
Every actor eventually faces the challenge of taking control of their career from an early star-making role. For Emilia Clarke, establishing her identity as an actress in her own right means leaving ‘Khaleesi’ behind. She has made it clear that name belongs to a character, not her as a human being.
Her choice should be respected. Clarke deserves the space to continue growing on her own terms, exploring the full extent of her talents. The Mother of Dragons will always be an iconic part of her story, but it does not define her future. Dropping the nickname that has overshadowed her is a healthy step in moving forward.
Emilia Clarke’s journey reveals the complex relationship between an actor and their famous role. Typecasting, objectification, fame pressure – her experiences with the side effects of embodying Daenerys Targaryen ring true for many women in Hollywood. But now Clarke courageously speaks out and sets boundaries to take control of her acting destiny. By doing so, she paves the way for the next generation of talented women in the industry as well.
