Alicia Vikander

Alicia Vikander, born on October 3, 1988, in Gothenburg, Sweden, is an acclaimed actress known for her versatility and talent. Raised in Gothenburg, Vikander initially pursued ballet dancing at the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm before transitioning to acting.
Her acting career began with appearances in Swedish short films and television series. She gained early recognition for her role in the drama series Andra Avenyn (2008–2010). Vikander made her feature film debut in Pure (2010), a performance that earned her the Guldbagge Award for Best Actress.


In 2012, Vikander garnered wider attention for her roles as Kitty in Joe Wright's adaptation of Anna Karenina and Queen Caroline Mathilde in the Danish film A Royal Affair.
Her breakout roles came in 2014 with acclaimed performances in Testament of Youth as Vera Brittain, and as a humanoid robot in Ex Machina, earning her a nomination for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.


Vikander's career reached new heights in 2015 when she won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Gerda Wegener in The Danish Girl.
Recognized for her talent and achievements, Vikander was included in Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2016.


Throughout her career, Vikander has showcased her versatility by taking on diverse roles, including in the action film Jason Bourne (2016), the fantasy film The Green Knight (2021), and the miniseries Irma Vep (2022).


Alicia Amanda Vikander, born on October 3, 1988, in Gothenburg, Sweden, comes from a family with a background in the arts. Her mother, Maria Fahl, was a stage actress, and her father, Svante Vikander, worked as a psychiatrist. Despite their different professions, they hailed from small villages in Sweden.


Vikander's lineage includes Finnish heritage, as her maternal great-aunt migrated from Finland to Sweden during World War II. Raised primarily by her mother following her parents' separation when she was an infant, Vikander also has five half-siblings from her father's side.
Her journey into the world of performance arts began at a young age of seven, where she appeared on stage and television. Vikander delved into ballet training at the age of nine, attending the Svenska Balettskolan i Göteborg until 2004. At 15, she relocated to Stockholm to continue her ballet training at the upper school, living independently. She also spent a summer honing her skills at the American Academy of Ballet in New York.


Despite her dedication to ballet, Vikander's passion for acting became evident during her teenage years, particularly through her work with director Tomas Alfredson. Her dance career faced setbacks due to injuries, prompting her to consider pursuing acting more seriously.
Vikander faced challenges on her path to becoming an actress, including rejection from drama school and briefly considering studying law. However, her determination to follow her dreams led her to prioritize acting, ultimately setting her on the path to a successful career in the film industry.


Alicia Amanda Vikander's acting journey commenced at a remarkably young age. At seven years old, she made her debut on stage in a production of "Kristina från Duvemåla" at The Göteborg Opera. This musical, penned by Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson of ABBA fame, showcased Vikander's talent for the next three and a half years. During her time at the Opera, she also graced the stage in other musicals like "The Sound of Music" and "Les Misérables."
In 1997, Vikander showcased her singing abilities on the TV4 children's show "Småstjärnorna."


Her rendition of Helen Sjöholms' song "Du måste finnas" garnered praise from the judges, leading her to win her episode and leaving a lasting impression with her stage presence.
Following her success on stage, Vikander transitioned to screen acting, appearing in various short films and television roles in Sweden. One notable project was her involvement in the Swedish TV drama "Andra Avenyn" from 2008 to 2010, further establishing her as a promising talent in the Swedish entertainment industry.


Alicia Vikander's feature film debut in the Swedish movie "Pure" (2010) earned her widespread acclaim. Portraying the troubled secretary Katarina, Vikander delivered a captivating performance that garnered her the Rising Star Award at the Stockholm International Film Festival, the Shooting Star Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, and the esteemed Guldbagge Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role. This success propelled her onto the international stage, leading to representation by Tavistock Wood management in the UK and signing with the United Talent Agency in the US.


In 2011, Vikander continued to showcase her versatility with the leading role of Fragancia Fernandez in "The Crown Jewels," portraying a character arrested for attempted murder. The following year, she gained further recognition for her portrayal of Kitty in the English-language adaptation of "Anna Karenina," which premiered at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews.


In the same year, Vikander expanded her repertoire by adding Danish to her linguistic skills for her role as Queen Caroline Mathilde in "A Royal Affair." The film premiered at the 62nd Berlin International Film Festival and received critical acclaim, earning Vikander a place among the 10 Actors to Watch at the 20th Hamptons International Film Festival. She was also nominated for the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2013 and received the Editor's Choice Award at the 2013 Elle Style Awards.


Continuing her impressive trajectory, Vikander starred as German Pirate Party member Anke Domscheit-Berg in "The Fifth Estate" (2013), which opened the Toronto International Film Festival. She also portrayed Erika in the Swedish film "Hotell," earning the Marrakech International Film Festival Award for Best Actress.
In 2014, Vikander appeared in the Australian crime thriller "Son of a Gun," receiving praise for her performance despite mixed reviews for the film itself.

References

1.  "Behind the scenes: Alicia Vikander January 2016" on YouTube
2. a b Lawrence, Vanessa (December 2011). "Alicia Vikander". W. Condé Nast: 71. Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
3. ^ Rosenström, Anna (15 December 2022). "Skådespelaren Maria Fahl Vikander är död" [Actress Maria Fahl Vikander is dead]. gp.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 15 December 2022. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
4. ^ Vikander, Alicia (5 May 2015). Episode 5 May 2015. Conan. Interviewed by Conan O'Brien. Archived from the original on 16 March 2016.
5. a b c Haskell, Rob (14 December 2015). "Alicia Vikander: The Danish Girl Star Jumps Out of a Plane and Talks Overnight Fame". Vogue. Archived from the original on 29 July 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020. But I'm a real Swede! In fact, I'm a quarter Finnish.
6. ^ Tan, Norman (17 August 2017). "Alicia Vikander: 'What I find sexy is something much more than tank tops'". Buro247. Archived from the original on 29 October 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020. My mom's parents sadly passed away when she was very young, so I never got the chance to meet them. But she had an aunt, a great aunt that kind of became my substitute grandparent, and she was 95 when she died a few years ago. She was Finnish and she escaped the war.
7. ^ Feinberg, Scott (30 May 2023). "'Awards Chatter' Podcast [LIVE] — Alicia Vikander ('Firebrand' and 'Irma Vep')". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
8. ^ MacNab, Geoffrey (15 September 2012). "Alicia Vikander – Make room for a new Swedish sensation". The Independent. Archived from the original on 27 November 2012. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
9. ^ Arnell, Lisa (23 March 2013). "LĂśrdagsintervjun: ELLE mĂśter Alicia Vikander" [The Saturday interview: ELLE meets Alicia Vikander]. ELLE.se (in Swedish). Archived from the original on 15 April 2016. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
10. ^ "Golden Girl: Alicia Vikander | Film, Fashion". Hunger TV. Archived from the original on 5 November 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
11. a b Dehn, Georgia (11 February 2015). "Why Alicia Vikander is the actress to watch in 2015". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
12. a b Horowitz, Josh. "Happy Sad Confused- Alicia Vikander". SoundCloud. Archived from the original on 25 July 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
13. ^ Dehn, Georgia (3 January 2015). "Why Alicia Vikander could be the actress to watch in 2015". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2015.
14. ^ Shattuck, Kathryn (29 May 2015). "Alicia Vikander, Who Portrayed Denmark's Queen, Is Screen Royalty". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 24 April 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2015.