The Answers With… Anya Taylor-Joy, the lead actress of The Queen’s Gambit and recent Dior Beauty campaigns

Anya Taylor-Joy admits she is happy to go against the norm when ordering a drink at a bar. “I don’t drink alcohol, so when I go out, I’ll order a cup of tea,” she says. “Sitting in a club with a cup of tea feels oddly gangster.”

It is perhaps this quietly assured, refreshingly unforced attitude that has helped secure her a growing slate of fashion and beauty endorsements. Taylor-Joy is currently the face of Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil, alongside fellow ambassadors such as Jisoo and Willow Smith. Of course, her immaculate visage plays a role, too; Dior Makeup’s creative and image director, Peter Philips, describes the product as an evolution of the house’s signature approach, combining treatment-led care with colour that responds intuitively to the wearer, delivering hydration and a subtle, reflective finish.

Many will recall Taylor-Joy’s breakout role in The Queen’s Gambit, the critically acclaimed drama miniseries centred on Beth Harmon, an orphaned chess prodigy navigating the male-dominated chess world of 1950s and 1960s America. The series traces her ascent from a Kentucky orphanage to international acclaim, set against a backdrop of loneliness, trauma, and addiction.

That success, however, did not mark her acting debut. Before The Queen’s Gambit, Taylor-Joy had already established a steady body of work across film and television, including an early standout turn in The Witch and appearances in series such as Endeavour and Atlantis. While the Netflix hit propelled her to global fame, it was the culmination rather than the beginning of her acting journey.

When do you feel most authentically yourself?

When I’ve forgotten myself by being fully immersed in the creative process. I’m not thinking about perception or outcomes, just being present. That’s when I feel most beautiful. Being in creative flow is the feeling I chase most in life.

How do you stay grounded while managing such a busy career?

It’s a work in progress. I try to get better day by day. What really helps is having small rituals that travel with you. I’m deeply devoted to my bath—I take one every day, no matter which country I’m in. It’s my time to reconnect and process the day. I’m genuinely a better person when I’ve had a bath the night before.

Do you see parallels between preparing for a role and working on Dior campaigns?

Absolutely. Before acting, I did some modelling, and I always felt my role was to embody the essence of the campaign truthfully. With Dior, every campaign has a different energy; some feel youthful, some more refined, some playful. Because of my schedule, I often shoot them back-to-back, which makes moving between those characters really fun. It’s never boring.

Can you share a moment from your own life that captures a feeling of joy and excitement?

Probably fashion week, to be honest. It’s such a fun time because you get to see friends in places you wouldn’t normally, and there’s a real sense of excitement.

How has your relationship with Dior evolved since becoming an ambassador in 2021?

Long-term relationships are so meaningful. You get to know people not just day to day, but year by year. There’s a deep trust now, we understand each other, and that makes every shoot relaxed and enjoyable. You know exactly why you’re there, and that’s how it should be.

The new campaign celebrates friendship and individuality with Willow Smith and Jisoo. What have you learned from working together?

We’re all very different, but that’s the beauty of it. Even with tight schedules, we always find time to support each other. I know they truly have my back, and I feel the same about them. We gel beautifully together.

What’s your favourite Dior campaign that you’ve been part of?

Every year, we shoot the Christmas campaign, and it always blows my mind, the people involved, the sets, and how lavish everything is. Plus, they usually give me a pet to play with. We’ve had dogs before, and even horses. That was incredibly fun … I have no idea what the next campaign will bring.

Is there a beauty tip you’ve learned from the professionals at Dior?

Yes, tap a bit of hyaluronic acid onto your lips before applying lipstick. It hydrates them beautifully and makes them look slightly plumper. It’s a really lovely base for any lip look.

Do you have a signature scent?

I used to, but now I choose a new fragrance for every character I play. I stop wearing it once the project ends, so when I smell it again, I’m instantly transported to that specific moment in my life. It’s like a time capsule so that I can revisit those memories.