A round-up of celebs who moved out of Britain much before the Euro Referendum took place...
It’s somewhat rare to see people move out of their country of birth. But when they do, it’s mostly because of love, better prospects or political unrest. Given that most young people in Britain have been part of the European Union (EU) most of their lives, the Brexit (see box) saw a nation’s exodus from an accepted way of life to a return to a former one.
However, a rather different Brexit has taken place over the past few years. A celebrity drain has seen several Brits cross the pond to Yank-land.
Here’s looking at those who made their own Brexits before the actual one...
Emily Blunt
MOVED IN: August 2015
She debuted professionally in 2001, but she’s best known as Emily in The Devil Wears Prada. It got her a Golden Globe Award and a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Blunt was born in London, and at the age of 14, she was discovered by an agent. In 2008, the English actress began dating American actor John Krasinski. They got engaged a year later and had two daughters. Emily became an American citizen in August 2015. She took dual citizenship in the US to help her with taxes and visa. She was reluctant to give up her sole allegiance to the UK.
Naveen Andrews
MOVED IN: 2010
Naveen Andrews was born in London to immigrant parents from Kerala, India. He became a naturalised US citizen in 2010. This English actor is best known for playing Sayid Jarrah in the cult American TV drama series, Lost. Besides this, he has also acted in movies like The English Patient, Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love and Bride And Prejudice. Andrews also played Jafar in the American fantasy drama Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.
Ed Westwick
MOVED IN: Early 2013
He became a global name playing Chuck Bass (who can forget Chuck Bass?) in the cult American TV teen drama series Gossip Girl . He later acted in movies like the J. Edgar, Romeo And Juliet. However, Ed Westwick was born in London, and raised in Hertfordshire. In the beginning of the series in 2007, Ed used to share an apartment in Manhattan with his Gossip Girl co-star Chace Crawford. The actor later moved to Los Angeles after GG ended.
Rachel Weisz
MOVED IN: 2011
Her best-known movies are The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, The Constant Gardener and Enemy At The Gates. She was born in London and is married to British actor Daniel Craig. Rachel became a naturalised US citizen in 2011. She admitted that American citizenship has other perks too. She told Stylist magazine. “When I come back into the country now and they stamp my passport, they say ‘Welcome home, ma’am.’ I think that’s a lovely formality. No one in England would say that.”
Christian Bale
MOVED IN: 1991
This Hollywood star is best known for his noteworthy roles in The Machinist, Dark Knight trilogy and American Hustle. He was born in Wales but he identifies as English. “I was born in Wales but I’m not Welsh – I’m English,” he was quoted as saying. Bale spent his childhood in Wales, Surrey and Dorset in England, and Portugal. He made his stage debut on London’s West End in 1984, and his first movie was Empire of The Sun (1987). The actor’s parents got divorced in 1991, following which he moved with his father to Los Angeles, California.
Idris Elba
MOVED IN: 1999
The London-born and raised actor, musician and DJ, Idris Elba has dabbled in British films and TV. However, he is well-known for his role in the American TV series, The Wire. He has also been a part of Hollywood hit movies like Thor, Prometheus, Pacific Rim and Thor: The Dark World. In 1999, he married and moved to New York City. Occasionally, a TV role brought him back. It’s kind of surprising that Elba is more recognised in the US than in the UK and he says, “I don’t get recognised that much yet in London, but when I do I get a real sense of achievement.”
Naomi Watts
MOVED IN: 1982
Actress and film producer Naomi Watts has acted in movies like The Ring, King Kong remake and J. Edgar. However, Watts is not an American and was born in Kent, England. When 14, she moved to Sydney, Australia with her family. As for her nationality Naomi has stated that,“I consider myself British and have very happy memories of the UK. I spent the first 14 years of my life in England and Wales and never wanted to leave. When I was in Australia I went back to England a lot.”
Charlie Hunnam
MOVED IN: 1999
The hunk is best known for essaying Jackson ‘Jax’ Teller in the TV series Sons of Anarchy. This English actor is a screenwriter and producer too. Charlie Hunnam was born in England. At 18, he got his first prime role in the British TV drama series Queer as Folk. He was cast in a British film Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? in 1999, following which he moved to Los Angeles, California.
What is Brexit?
Brexit is an abbreviation for “British exit” referring to the June 23, 2016 referendum by British voters to exit the European Union.
Why is it in the news?
The outcome of this referendum caused global markets to crash, causing the British pound to fall to its lowest level in decades.
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