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Maisie Williams Breaks Down While Opening Up About 'Traumatic' Relationship With Her Dad
English actor Maisie Williams is best known for her breakout role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones.
In the series, Williams portrayed Stark as a determined and independent warrior who sets out to avenge her family. Her bravery and skills lead her to bring those who have wronged her family to justice.
In a recent interview with Steven Bartlett on his podcast Diary of a CEO Podcast, we see Williams display bravery yet again as she emotionally opens up about her traumatic childhood.
Williams recalled:
“Well, I, as a young child before the age of, like, 8, had a traumatic relationship with my dad."
Williams did not want to share too many details as she said it could affect her siblings and other family members.
She continued:
“But, like, that really consumed a lot of my childhood."
"Ever since I can remember, I’ve really struggled sleeping. And I think a lot of the traumatic things that were happening, I didn’t realize that they were wrong.”
When Williams was 8 years old the situation with her father escalated to its 'peak.'
A teacher at school had been observing Williams' behavior and took her to the staff room at school to inquire.
Williams recounted the teacher's concern.
“And she was saying, like, ‘What’s wrong... what’s happened? Are you hungry? Did you eat breakfast?’"
"I said, ‘No.’ And she said, ‘Oh, why not?’ And I said, ‘We just don’t have any breakfast.’ And then she says, you know, ‘Do you normally have breakfast?’”
Williams continued tearfully:
“They were asking the right questions."
She then shared things began to change, but she still didn't fully understand the severity of the situation.
“My mum came to school and picked me up. It was the first time that all of the doors were open, and it was the first time things were on the table."
“I still wanted to fight and say these things aren’t wrong, that you’re just trying to take me away from my dad."
The nearly two-hour interview can be viewed here:
Maisie Williams: The Painful Past Of A Game Of Thrones Star | E181www.youtube.com
Bartlett also shared a short clip of the podcast to Twitter.
\u201cAn incredibly inspiring, deeply emotional and fiercely honest conversation about the real @Maisie_Williams\n\nIf you usually listen to the podcast, I'd urge you to watch this one \ud83d\udc47\ud83c\udffd\n\nhttps://t.co/htvRQXBoE6\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
Fans weighed in, applauding Williams for her bravery and openness.
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams very moving and overwhelming at the same time not just a amazing actress but one amazing human being with a heart, sole and felling justlike the rest of us \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @Maisie_Williams Great podcast \ud83d\udc4d\ud83c\udffb really brave of Maisie to speak so openly about her journey\u2026 You make people so comfortable in how you lead the conversations so they can speak so honestly..\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams No matter the wealth money cannot remove trauma.. such an open podcast \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffb\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams What a beautiful and touching podcast, I wish Maisie only the best\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams A very emotional & amazing interview, love her \u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams @Maisie_Williams we all want to give you that same hug. You are brave, you are strong and kind. Be easy on yourself, and shine on as you do \ud83e\udd17\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams Amazing podcast brought me to tears so raw and emotional \ud83e\udd7a\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams \u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u2764\ufe0f\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
\u201c@SteveBartlettSC @GameOfThrones @Maisie_Williams Love\ud83d\udd25\u201d— Steven Bartlett (@Steven Bartlett) 1664175787
Later during the interview, Bartlett asked Williams how she feels about her father now, to which Williams responded:
“To be honest, I have been thinking about this a lot."
"I've been trying to do this thing where I stop taking things personally."
Williams went on to explain she now realized what she experienced was not her fault.
"It wasn't because there was something wrong with me that these bad things happened when I was a child."
As a child, Williams believed she was mistreated because of her own 'wrongdoings.'
Williams later stated taking herself out of the situation and thinking objectively about it makes her wonder what her father went through as a child or if something in his past caused him to treat his children the way he did.
Regardless, Williams seems to have found some peace.
"It's nice to not feel the personal pain anymore."