Margaret Qualley Quotes

Powerful Margaret Qualley for Daily Growth

About Margaret Qualley

Margaret Qualley, born on October 23, 1994, is an American actress and dancer, renowned for her captivating performances in both film and television. Daughter of Andie MacDowell and Paul Qualley, she was raised in Asheville, North Carolina, and Montana, immersed in the rich cultural landscape of the South and the West. Her passion for performing arts was ignited at a young age, initially through dance. She trained intensively in various forms, including ballet, contemporary, and hip-hop, ultimately leading to her joining the prestigious Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. However, fate led Qualley towards acting when she was cast in the HBO series 'Vinyl' in 2016. Her breakout role came in the critically acclaimed film 'The Leftovers,' where she portrayed the enigmatic Jill Garvey. The performance earned her widespread recognition and marked the beginning of a promising career. Qualley continues to captivate audiences with her versatile roles, including her recent turn as Ann Talbot in the BBC miniseries 'Fosse/Verdon.' In 2019, she starred in 'Native Son,' a modern adaptation of Richard Wright's novel, for which she received critical acclaim. Her upcoming projects include 'Maid,' a limited series based on Stephanie Land's memoir, and 'Seberg,' a biographical drama about Jean Seberg. Margaret Qualley continues to push boundaries with her artistry, seamlessly transitioning between dance and acting, while leaving an indelible mark on the world of entertainment.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I believe that you can't truly be an artist without being an activist."

This quote by Margaret Qualley suggests a strong connection between artistic expression and activism, implying that authentic artists are also socially-conscious individuals who use their talents to bring about change in society. The belief is that art can be a powerful tool for advocacy, and an artist's responsibility extends beyond creating aesthetically pleasing work; it includes using one's platform to influence positive social, political or environmental movements.


"There's nothing more powerful than a woman who tells her truth."

This quote emphasizes the immense strength and influence that arises when a woman authentically expresses herself, sharing her personal experiences and feelings honestly. By telling their truth, women assert their power, break down societal barriers, inspire empathy, and foster meaningful connections. It's a call to embrace vulnerability, authenticity, and empowerment in one's own voice.


"The biggest obstacle to living a creative life is fear."

This quote highlights the profound impact that fear can have on one's ability to lead a creative life. Fear, in this context, encompasses various anxieties such as the fear of failure, rejection, or not meeting societal expectations. When these fears dominate, they act as an obstacle, hindering individuals from fully embracing their creative potential and living lives that are rich with self-expression and innovation. To live a creative life means to fearlessly pursue one's passions, challenge limitations, and explore new possibilities.


"To be an actor, you have to make yourself vulnerable and that can feel very scary sometimes."

This quote by Margaret Qualley highlights the vulnerability inherent in acting, where performers expose their emotions, thoughts, and selves to an audience. The "scary" part she refers to is the risk of revealing one's true feelings and being open to potential criticism, judgement, or rejection – aspects that can evoke fear or discomfort. This vulnerability, however, also allows actors to connect authentically with their roles and bring a depth of emotion that resonates with viewers.


"I want to use my platform to create change and raise awareness for issues that matter."

This quote indicates a strong sense of purpose and responsibility from Margaret Qualley, who asserts her desire to leverage her influence or "platform" (a term often used for public figures' reach, especially on social media) towards effecting positive change and raising awareness about significant issues in society. It signifies a proactive approach to using fame not just for personal gain, but for making a difference and sparking conversation around matters that are important to her.


I like a bohemian floral dress, but then I'll throw on a leather jacket or a pair of lace-up boots to give it an edge. My mom is always trying to get me to wear really sweet clothes. Something pink. But that's not really my look.

- Margaret Qualley

Dress, Pink, Wear, Jacket

I was one of those dancers who they say wants to feel the floor through their pointe shoes. I would end up not wearing toe pads and that stuff. I would just wrap minimal amounts of paper towels around my toes.

- Margaret Qualley

Through, Feel, Dancers, Towels

I was so invested in ballet, and it was my entire life. And then it was realizing that I didn't want it to be my entire life forever. And then it was this very specific life, and I wanted to learn about other things. So I modeled to fill the time because dancing was very much a job, even when I was 14 years old.

- Margaret Qualley

Dancing, Other, Very, Realizing

I lived alone, I didn't know anybody in New York, and I was definitely a recluse. It had been, like, two weeks, and I realized I hadn't said anything. I was laying in bed, and I was like, 'Hello?' I just talked to hear my own voice. And it was such a strange feeling.

- Margaret Qualley

Voice, Bed, Been, Two Weeks

My sister and I are pretty dorky, so we drive around at night in her car listening to old Disney songs and feed the coyotes cans of wet cat food, which I'm sure is a terrible idea. Meanwhile, 'Cinderella' and 'Sleeping Beauty' showtunes are playing in the background.

- Margaret Qualley

Beauty, Idea, Dorky, Cans

Like every child of divorce, I had parent-trap fantasies. In fact, 'The Parent Trap' was my favourite movie. I was a Nineties baby, so I particularly loved the Lindsay Lohan version.

- Margaret Qualley

Parent, Fact, Particularly, Nineties

Ballet, there's a right way to do things, and it's black and white, and it's all striving for perfection. Acting is not that way. It's very gray, and the messier you can be, the better. The mistakes that you make are the gold and the beautiful stuff.

- Margaret Qualley

Mistakes, Striving, Very, Perfection

With 'The Leftovers,' I was actually super, super lucky. It was my first major audition. When I came out, the casting director was kissing me on the face, and I was like, 'Oh, that's probably a good sign.'

- Margaret Qualley

Good, Lucky, Sign, Leftovers

'The Leftovers' takes place three years after 2% of the population has gone missing. And it's about how that changes society. Cults form as a result, and it drastically changes home life for a lot of people, including the Garvey family, which is the family I belong to.

- Margaret Qualley

Changes, Belong, About, Leftovers

Nothing ever goes to plan. As soon as you are OK with that, everything is much easier.

- Margaret Qualley

Nothing, Goes, Ever, OK

It's a normal part of the culture of ballet to go to a nutritionist in your first few weeks. They write down everything you eat and use a little roller that pinches you to measure the fat all over your body. Then, every semester, you get a letter saying either you're too thin, or you're OK, or you're overweight.

- Margaret Qualley

Part, Use, Weeks, OK

Growing up in North Carolina, my mom was always just sort of my mom to me. I never really recognized her as a famous actress. I'm always thrilled when she's cleaning out her closet. Last time, I got a pair of boots that she bought in Paris 20 years ago. I have completely worn them out.

- Margaret Qualley

Mom, Recognized, North, Boots

I was having a really-early-onset midlife crisis, and then something clicked in an improv class, and I knew.

- Margaret Qualley

Crisis, Knew, Having, Clicked

I think I would find being in Hollywood intense if I had more of a social life, but all I do is stay indoors with my sister and play with our puppy, watch movies.

- Margaret Qualley

Play, Think, I Think, Indoors

I explored the arts in general; I took painting classes and sketching classes and acting classes and all sorts of different things.

- Margaret Qualley

General, Took, Classes, Different Things

It was funny being at high school and also grocery shopping and having a job. Other kids were going home to their parents, who were doing their laundry, and I was like, 'Wait, what?' I was super isolated. I was 16, alone in New York, and modelling.

- Margaret Qualley

Doing, Wait, Other, Shopping

I still feel guilty buying something without asking my mother first. It's ridiculous. I'll call her and be like, 'I saw this dress, can I get it?' And she'll say, 'Margaret, whatever. Get the dress.'

- Margaret Qualley

Dress, Asking, Feel, Margaret

I actually quit ballet when I was offered a job, an apprenticeship at North Carolina Dance Theater Company, run by John Pierre Bonnefoux and Patricia McBride, who are my idols. Everything sort of went perfectly. I was 16, and I was about to drop out of high school and become a professional ballet dancer.

- Margaret Qualley

Drop, Perfectly, North, Apprenticeship

I just realized I wanted to do more than ballet. I was offered an apprenticeship, so I was about to join a company and drop out of high school, and then it hit me: I didn't want that anymore.

- Margaret Qualley

Want, Drop, More, Apprenticeship

I was used to having a job - ballet was my job, and I felt like I needed something artistic to focus on after I quit.

- Margaret Qualley

Like, Needed, Having, I Quit

My mother has been an advocate for me as far as modeling goes.

- Margaret Qualley

Mother, Modeling, Been, As Far As

With modelling, there's nothing to work on other than losing weight. I definitely had an eating disorder.

- Margaret Qualley

Work, Nothing, Other, Modelling

I don't really know what I'm doing, to be honest. I come up with things, and maybe it works, and maybe it doesn't, and I try to learn from my castmates and director and from everyone.

- Margaret Qualley

Doing, Maybe, Works, To Be Honest

Ballet can be grueling, for sure, but it gives you a certain discipline.

- Margaret Qualley

Discipline, Ballet, Sure, Grueling

I think gender parity is a crucial part of any healthy society. It's applicable to the entire world.

- Margaret Qualley

Gender, Think, I Think, Parity

The goal is to not be patted on the back for hiring a woman, because it shouldn't be an exceptional thing. It should just be commonplace that women should have equal opportunities as men.

- Margaret Qualley

Woman, Goal, Hiring, Commonplace

When you're really serious about ballet, it's a job - even if you're 15 years old. You're doing it six to eight hours a day.

- Margaret Qualley

Doing, Hours, Six, Ballet

I've been really fortunate to work with a lot of women.

- Margaret Qualley

Work, Been, Lot, Fortunate

I guess I gravitate towards stories that I like and directors that I want to work with, and I hope that it works out.

- Margaret Qualley

Like, Stories, Works, Gravitate

I'm pretty casual. I love Free People and small vintage boutiques.

- Margaret Qualley

Love, Small, Pretty, Casual

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