Léa Seydoux

Léa Seydoux-Fornier de Clausonne is a highly acclaimed French actor known for her versatile performances in both French cinema and Hollywood productions. Born on July 1, 1985, she has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career, including César Award nominations, the Trophée Chopard at the Cannes Film Festival, and recognition from the French government with honors such as the Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters and Knight of the Legion of Honour.


She began her acting journey with her debut film Girlfriends in 2006, followed by notable roles in The Last Mistress (2007) and On War (2008). Seydoux gained acclaim for her performances in French films such as The Beautiful Person (2008), Belle Épine (2010), and Farewell, My Queen (2012). Concurrently, she appeared in minor roles in prominent Hollywood productions like Inglourious Basterds (2009), Midnight in Paris (2011), and Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol (2011).


However, her breakthrough came with the controversial yet acclaimed film Blue Is the Warmest Colour (2013), which earned her the Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival and garnered international attention. She further solidified her status with roles in Spectre (2015) and No Time to Die (2021) as the Bond girl Madeleine Swann.


Seydoux's talent extends beyond acting; she has also made appearances in Wes Anderson films like The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) and The French Dispatch (2021). Her diverse filmography includes projects such as Beauty and the Beast (2014), Saint Laurent (2014), The Lobster (2015), Zoe (2018), France (2021), Crimes of the Future (2022), and One Fine Morning (2022).


In addition to her acting career, Seydoux has made a mark in the fashion industry as a model, appearing in renowned publications like Vogue Paris and American Vogue. Since 2016, she has been a brand ambassador for Louis Vuitton, showcasing her influence and style beyond the silver screen.


Léa Seydoux was born on July 1, 1985, in Passy, Paris, to Henri Seydoux and Valérie Schlumberger. Her upbringing was in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris. She grew up in a strict Protestant household, although she herself does not adhere to any religious beliefs. Seydoux is one of seven children, with a blended family structure due to her parents' previous marriages.



Her family has a notable background, with both her parents partly of Alsatian descent. Her father, Henri Seydoux, is a descendant of businessman and inventor Marcel Schlumberger, while her mother, Valérie Schlumberger, comes from a family with aristocratic ties. The Seydoux family is influential in the French movie industry, with various relatives holding prominent positions in cinema and media companies.


Despite her family's connections in the entertainment industry, Seydoux has asserted that she received no special assistance in her acting career. Initially, she had ambitions of becoming an opera singer and studied music at the Conservatoire de Paris. Her parents' divorce when she was young and their frequent absence from home left her feeling lonely, prompting her to seek solace in the arts.


Seydoux's mother, Valérie Schlumberger, is a former actress who later became a philanthropist. She founded several charitable organizations promoting African art and supporting vulnerable children in Senegal. Seydoux herself has been involved in philanthropic work and once worked as a model for her mother's jewelry line.


Despite her family's affluent background, Seydoux has described herself as feeling like a misfit during her youth. She struggled with shyness and experienced anxiety, particularly during public events like the Cannes Film Festival.
Overall, Seydoux's upbringing, marked by a blend of privilege and personal challenges, has influenced her perspective on life and shaped her career in the arts.


As a child, Seydoux initially aspired to become an opera singer and pursued music studies at the Conservatoire de Paris. However, her shyness led her to abandon this dream. It wasn't until she turned eighteen that she decided to pursue acting. Influenced by a friend who was an actor, Seydoux was drawn to the freedom and excitement of the profession.


Seydoux's decision to become an actress was also motivated by her romantic feelings for an actor. She was enamored by the idea of the actor's lifestyle and independence, which inspired her to embark on an acting career to impress him. To prepare herself, she took acting classes at the French drama school Les Enfants Terribles and later received training at New York's Actors Studio with Corinne Blue.


In 2005, Seydoux made her appearance in the music video for Raphaël's single "Ne partons pas fâchés". The following year, she landed her first significant screen role in Sylvie Ayme's film "Girlfriends" (Mes copines). Additionally, she starred in Nicolas Klotz's short film "La Consolation," which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 2007.
During this period, Seydoux also ventured into modeling, notably working with American Apparel for their Pantytime campaign. She also secured roles in films such as "13 French Street" and "The Last Mistress," marking the beginning of her journey in the entertainment industry.


In 2008, Seydoux garnered significant attention for her role in Christophe Honoré's film "The Beautiful Person." Her performance earned her the prestigious Chopard Award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2009 for "Best Upcoming Actress" and a nomination for the César Award for Most Promising Actress.


The following year, in 2009, Seydoux had a notable role in Jessica Hausner's "Lourdes" and made her debut in Hollywood with a small part in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds." In 2010, she appeared alongside Russell Crowe in Ridley Scott's "Robin Hood," portraying Isabella of Angoulême. Seydoux's versatility was showcased as she also starred in Louis Garrel's "Petit Tailleur," Rebecca Zlotowski's "Belle Épine," which earned her another César nomination, and Raúl Ruiz's "Mysteries of Lisbon."


Although Seydoux auditioned for the role of Lisbeth Salander in "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," the part ultimately went to Rooney Mara. Reflecting on the experience, Seydoux expressed her frustration but acknowledged that the role was not aligned with her nature.
In 2011, Seydoux appeared in Woody Allen's romantic comedy "Midnight in Paris" as Gabrielle and featured in the blockbuster "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" as the assassin Sabine Moreau. She also starred in the short film "Time Doesn't Stand Still" by Benjamin Millepied and Asa Mader. Following her Hollywood ventures, Seydoux returned to French cinema with roles in "My Wife's Romance" and "Roses à crédit."


2012 proved to be a significant year for Seydoux's career as she starred in "Farewell, My Queen," which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival to critical acclaim. Her portrayal of Sidonie earned widespread praise for its depth and nuance. Additionally, she appeared in the Swiss drama "Sister," which garnered further acclaim and was Switzerland's entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.
Continuing her successful streak, Seydoux filmed "Blue Is the Warmest Colour" by Abdellatif Kechiche and "Grand Central" by Rebecca Zlotowski, both of which were showcased at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013.

References

1.  "Léa Seydoux, la belle énigme". Elle France. 14 February 2014. Archived from the original on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
2. a b Duffy, Nick (2 November 2020). "James Bond and Blue Is the Warmest Colour star Léa Seydoux: 'I often feel like I'm a gay man'". PinkNews. Archived from the original on 15 April 2022. Retrieved 4 April 2022. Seydoux explained that she rejects the term "actress", adding: "I really don't feel like an actress, I feel like an actor."
3. ^ "Nomination dans l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres janvier 2016 - Ministère de la Culture". Culturecommunication.gouv.fr. 31 March 2016. Archived from the original on 5 June 2016. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
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5. ^ "Move over Rihanna, actress Léa Seydoux is the new Bond girl". The Independent. 12 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
6. a b "Léa Seydoux is the new Bond girl". Harper's Bazaar Australia. 13 October 2014. Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 13 October 2014.
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8. a b Vuitton, Louis. "News By Louis Vuitton: LEA SEYDOUX THE NEW FACE OF LOUIS VUITTON". eu.louisvuitton.com. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
9. a b Mar 22, Elana Zajdman. "Léa Seydoux Stars in a Sexy New Bag Campaign for Louis Vuitton". InStyle. Archived from the original on 21 October 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2021.
10. ^ "Léa Seydoux a trente ans - Joyeux anniversaire, Léa" (in French). Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
11. ^ "Léa Seydoux". Madame Figaro. Archived from the original on 5 July 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2018.
12. ^ "Getting Ready for the Cannes Film Festival with Léa Seydoux". Vogue. 18 May 2013. Archived from the original on 17 February 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2014.
13. a b c Vicente, Álex (25 August 2012). "Léa Seydoux, la nueva musa de la nouvelle vague". El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
14. a b c Paola Genone (31 August 2011). "Léa Seydoux: 'je suis une femme virile'". L'Express (in French). Archived from the original on 9 February 2012. Retrieved 1 March 2014.