Why We’re Thankful for Emilia Clarke’s Birth

It’s Emilia Clarke’s birthday! Happy 27th birthday, Emilia! I know some of us know Emilia as the Khaleesi, or Daenerys of House Targaryen, in Game of Thrones, but she’s actually MORE amazing in real life than she is on screen. She may not be a mommy to three dragons, but Emilia pretty much embodies the girl we all want to be best friends with, and here are 11 reasons why:

1. Her eyebrows

Mother of Dragons? More like, Mother of Eyebrows! Girl has got a fierce set of eyebrows, and she’s proud of them. In an interview, Emilia said, “My mum had rules when I was growing up: Don’t do drugs, don’t have sex, and don’t touch your eyebrows. So I got bullied as a kid for having ridiculous eyebrows. She said, ‘You’ll be thankful when you’re older,’ and I am.” As are we, Emilia. As are we.

2. She’s an incredible actress

Her character transformation in Game of Thrones from season one to season two was masterfully and seamlessly done. When she is Daenerys, she’s 100% Daenerys, and that goes for every role she’s in. In 2013, she received a well-deserved BAFTA nomination for best supporting actress in a drama.

3. She’s a musician

Emilia is not only an extremely talented actress, but she knows how to sing and she plays the piano, guitar and flute.

4. She loves GIRLS!

Like so many of us, she’s totally obsessed with Hannah Horvath and crew. She told GQ, “I’d give my right arm to be, like, a random extra on GIRLS. Just to walk past one of the scenarios. I’d love that more than anything. Only, without the wig, they wouldn’t recognize me.” Oh, but they would, Emilia. Don’t you worry.

5. She plays Holly Golightly on Broadway

As if Emilia needed to do anything more to be my official spirit animal/crush/mentor/imaginary BFF, she also plays the main character in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, one of my favorite novels by Truman Capote (and films, which originally starred Audrey Hepburn).

6. There was ALMOST a different Daenerys

GASP. Yes. This is a scary fact, but luckily, Emilia Clarke won the role of the Khaleesi by doing the funky chicken. Supposedly, she was very nervous during the audition and the GoT showrunner, David Benioff, suggested she dance. So obviously, Emilia busted out her magnificent funky moves. On a serious note, Tamzin Merchant from The Tudors was supposed to play Daenerys, but clearly the producers made the right choice.

7. Emilia will be playing Sarah Connor in next year’s Terminator: Genesis

And she’s been training non-stop. She told InStyle, “I’ve been shooting guns, weightlifting, kickboxing and generally kicking a lot of ass.” Emilia, you kick so much ass even without all that.

8. She has killer style

Case in point:

9. She’s perfect and adorable

Honestly, I just want to hang out with Emilia, share all my secrets with her, chill and make friendship bracelets while we polish off several olive and mushroom pizzas. Not only is Emilia beautiful, but she seems like such a nice, cool person.

10. She started out small-time

Emilia did not start out big. Her first film role was in 2010, in a made-for-TV movie called Triassic Attack. It was about a roadside museum owner who accidentally introduced dinosaur fossils to a small town, which come to life and start attacking people! It’s almost like Jurassic Park, but a little more skeletal.

11. She has a great relationship with her co-workers

Emilia can sometimes be spotted hanging out with her fellow GoT cast members. Although they may see her as a threat to the Seven Kingdoms, they totally adore her in real life.

Also, this is super cute (RIP Drogo!):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCGjF0a1Eio?rel=0

12. She’s Daenerys Stormborn of  House Targaryen, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, the Mother of Dragons, and Breaker of Chains.

Emilia Clarke plays one of the strongest female characters on TV. It’s so refreshing and inspiring to see a woman who encompasses dynamic character attributes. She’s not just a leader, she’s a compassionate humanitarian, friend, mother, yet she also seeks revenge and justice, and she isn’t afraid of violence. Emilia states, “One of the many things I love about Daenerys from Game of Thrones is she’s given me an opportunity to fly the flag for young girls and women, to be more than just somebody’s wife and somebody’s girlfriend.” I don’t know about you, but I’m definitely rooting for Daenerys of House Targaryen!

Featured image via. Images via, via, via,via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via