Acclaimed British actress Keira Knightley has captivated audiences for over two decades with her impressive range of roles and performances. Among her early career milestones, ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ holds a special place, as it marked her ascent to stardom. Recently, Knightley appeared on The Tonight Show, where she candidly reflected on the initial perceptions surrounding the movie, sharing fascinating insights into the skepticism she and her friends had prior to its release.
During her interview, Knightley revealed that her friends had doubts about the success of ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ when she first told them about it. The skepticism was mainly due to the fact that women’s soccer was not as prominent at the time, which made the concept of the movie seem less appealing.
Despite the initial reservations, ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ went on to become a massive hit upon its release in 2002. Over the years, the film has earned a reputation as a beloved feel-good classic. Today, it remains one of the most frequently discussed topics among Knightley’s fans.
Keira Knightley recalled:
“I literally remember telling people I was doing it, and it’s called ‘Bend It Like Beckham,’ and them going, ‘Oh, that’s really embarrassing,’ and they were all like, ‘Don’t worry. Nobody will see it. It’s fine.’ It was the idea of it because, you know, women’s soccer was not as big back then, and so the idea of the whole thing was sort of ridiculous.”
However, she added:
“It’s amazing because it’s still ‘the film’ even today, you know, if someone comes up to talk to me about my work, it’s that one. It’s so loved. It’s amazing.”
Knightley has had a remarkable career since her breakthrough role in ‘Bend It Like Beckham.’ She has starred in other iconic films, such as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ ‘Love Actually,’ ‘Pride & Prejudice,’ and ‘Atonement.’ Her experiences seem to have shaped her growth as an actress and an individual, and her story, just like ‘Bend It Like Beckham,’ has inspired many.
