by Long before Emilia Clarke graced television screens as the powerful and legendary Daenerys Targaryen in HBO’s monumental series Game of Thrones, she harbored dreams of sharing her scooping skills with the world from behind an ice cream parlor counter. In her early years, Clarke envisioned herself elevating simple frozen treats into magnificent towering desserts, wielding her scoop like a magician’s wand. Though her on-screen journey took a different path into the realm of acting, Clarke still holds a fondness for crafting cold, creamy delights.
The Origin Story of an Ice Cream Artisan
In interviews, Clarke has expressed how working in an ice cream shop seemed like the perfect gig for her younger self. As a lover of sweets and crafting, she felt drawn to the creativity and skill involved in assembling sundaes and banana splits. Building the perfect parfait requires precision, balance, and a delicate touch to layer ingredients for optimal texture and flavor. Had Clarke pursued her original aspirations instead of entering the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she may have developed a cult following for her ornate ice cream architecture alone.
Though acting became her calling, the roots of her ice cream obsession sprang from a sincere admiration for the art form. As CNN shared, Clarke proclaimed her teenage dream job was “to be able to make beautiful ice creams perfectly shaped, like a pyramid.” In her eyes, gracefully wielding a scoop to craft ingredient towers was a noble skill that brought people joy. While traveling to sci-fi conventions for Game of Thrones, Clarke even attempted to recreate her adolescent ambitions by working part-time at an ice cream stand, though squeezing in shifts proved challenging.
The Scoop on Emilia Clarke’s GoT Sundae Scene
Ironically, Clarke’s chilly background later collided with her acting career through one memorable Game of Thrones scene. Her character Daenerys Targaryen, familiarly called “Dany” or the “Mother of Dragons,” is served a odd dessert while meeting with a trusted advisor in Season 5. On the surface, they simply discuss politics while she enjoys a treat. However, fans realized the sundae held deeper meaning about power and gender dynamics in the fictional kingdom of Meereen.
Critics have analyzed the strange sundae scene, which featured soupy pears, finger-sized bananas, and a cherry perched symbolically atop a scoop of white ice cream. While Dany focuses on matters of state, the man across from her diminishes her authority by referring to her as “just a girl” who can be placated by something sweet. The sundae shows how men dismiss women as fragile, emotional, and obsessed with frivolities rather than politics – but Dany upends their expectations.
By inhabiting a powerful woman ruler able to enjoy an ice cream sundae without losing her strength, Dany smashes stereotypes in the scene. Her confidence and clear-mindedness throughout the tense conversation, even while enjoying her dessert, proves she can relish life’s little pleasures without compromising her formidable leadership. In fact, the scoop only fuels her fire. And knowing Emilia Clarke’s lifelong adoration for ice cream, she likely related to Dany’s delight alongside the scene’s deeper message.
The Mother of Dragons’ Sweet Side
Just as Emilia Clarke balances renown as a dramatic actress alongside being a gorgeous celebrity gracing magazine covers, her legendary dragon-commanding character also boasts more humanizing traits. While fiercely staring down enemies, Dany nonetheless displays empathy, humor, generosity, and even moments of playfulness throughout Game of Thrones. Similarly, Clarke herself openly embraces activities many might label “guilty pleasures,” like romantic comedies and karaoke. Fans catch glimpses of the actress’s vibrant, cheerful real-life personality through Dany’s lighter interactions.
In one heartwarming scene, Clarke improvised sharing rabbit with her on-screen husband Khal Drogo, wanting to portray Dany authentically enjoying simple intimacies. Showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss explain on DVD commentary that the endearing moment wasn’t scripted; Clarke opted to follow her character’s heart.
Similarly, Clarke shares that she connects personally with Dany through her softer side, not just her warrior fierceness. In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, she explains, “I find the lightness and the fluffy parts of roles much harder to play. Trying to tap into my lighthearted side and my sense of humor was important for this character.”
Bringing Dany’s complexity to life, including her appetite for life’s sweeter offerings, defines Emilia Clarke’s nuanced depiction. She injects sincerity and humanity into fantasy through realistic details that allow women, whether rulers like Dany or everyday fans like Clarke used to be, to contain multitudes without judgment.
The Forever Student of the Ice Cream Arts
Though professional scooping fell from Emilia Clarke’s radar once her acting career exploded into mega-stardom, her genuine zeal for ice cream remains steadfast. She even maintains hope of returning to those dreams someday if she ever leaves Hollywood behind.
As USA Today notes, Clarke still speaks enthusiastically about her inner ice cream artisan, saying she would absolutely consider trade careers like carpentry or cheese-making if she exited the spotlight. “You’re speaking my language!” Clarke exclaims when the prospect of donning an apron comes up again. “Maybe when Game of Thrones finishes, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll go become an ice cream lady.”
Until the pint-sized A-lister hands out free samples from a truck window near you, glimpse Clarke reveling in sweet, creamy goodness through her most beloved characters. Her 17.9 million Instagram followers catch candid moments with shakes, cones, and even entire pints of ice cream disappearing spoonful by frozen spoonful. Hashtagged as #mooooood, fans witness Clarke unapologetically indulging her cravings and blissfully ignoring any pressure to diet.
Like her Game of Thrones heroine Daenerys confidence-boosting sundae scene teaches, denying life’s pleasures robs our souls of joy. Emilia Clarke’s enduring infatuation with ice cream, whether from behind a parlor counter or posted online mid-brain freeze, boldly inspires women to pursue their passions without shame. Scoop by scoop, spoon by spoon, her example gives all people permission to relish sweet moments big and small.
