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Lily James may be playing the role of Cinderella in the new live-action film, butshe reveals exclusively to our sister publication in the U.K., HELLO! that she's living her own real life fairytale. From her very own Prince Charming to working in her dream job, theactress discusses her seemingly storybook life.
Lily looks like a true princess at the premiere of Cinderella Photo: Getty Images
Originally, the 25-year-old went for the part of ugly sister Anastasia, but waspersuaded to try for Cinderella instead. To get the role, she had to go throughsix auditions and two screen tests, for which she dyed her hair from brunetteto blonde and wore a prototype ballgown by Sandy Powell. “I remember looking inthe mirror and it just took my breath away," she tells HELLO! of thedress, made from layers of fine fabric and covered in Swarovski crystals."I felt like a princess.”
The actress admits she enjoys dressing up every once in a while Photo: Getty Images
Admittedlymore low key when it comes to her fashion, Lily also tries to remain anonymousin public settings. During a recent trip to Vietnam with a friend,the two tried to fly under the radar and remain unnoticed saying she worked ina cake shop. “I was traveling with my friend Joe, who’s an actor too,” she states. “But we didn’t saywhat we did because questions can be awkward — ‘So, you’re an actor? What haveyou been in?’ It’s a funny old thing. I’d much rather be ambiguous.”
These are the best-looking "ugly" stepsisters Photo: Getty Images
Thatanonymity will prove to be harder once the highly-anticipated film is released. She co-stars with Cate Blanchett as the wicked stepmother, Helena BonhamCarter as the fairy godmother, and Game of Thrones star Richard Madden, who plays her Prince Charming.
Richard plays Lily's onscreen love Photo: Getty Images
But it'sreal-life actor boyfriend Matt Smith that's her very own Prince Charming andstands discreetly on the sidelines, allowing her to enjoy the limelight. Whileshe wouldn't discuss her relationship, the Downton Abbey star did give her takeon the idea of a Prince Charming. "Well, he exists — in the form of [actor] Richard Madden,” she jokes. “But in real life? I think there are loads ofPrince Charmings out there."
She wenton to describe her ideal mate. “I believe in a soulmate, but I believe there’snot only one," she says. "For me, Prince Charming is a funny person,someone who can make you laugh." If he made her laugh over a good mealhe’s cooked, “that would tick a lot of boxes."
Lily is all smiles with her real life Prince Charming, Matt Photo: Getty Images
Lily, who was born inEsher, Surrey, remains close to her mother and two brothers. Her actor andmusician father James Thomson died in 2008 and she chose her professional nameas a tribute to him.
After Cinderella, Lily will be back on the big screen in Prideand Prejudice and Zombies, alongside Matt. Next year, she and Richard will reunite, playing Romeo and Juliet on stage. “I’m so lucky that I do a job that I love,” Lily mentions,adding that for her, fairy tales are about “dreaming of more and not settling; oflove and romance, travel and magic.”
