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Willow Shields

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Willow Shields
Shields at San Diego Comic-Con in 2015
Born (2000-06-01) June 1, 2000 (age 24)
Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2008–present

Willow Shields (born June 1, 2000)[1] is an American actress. She is known for her portrayal of Primrose Everdeen in the sci-fi dystopian adventure film series The Hunger Games (2012–2015). She earned nominations for a Young Hollywood Award and an MTV Award for her performance in the franchise's second and final installments respectively.

Shields made her acting debut with a guest appearance on the drama series In Plain Sight (2009), and subsequently starred in a supporting role in the television film Beyond the Blackboard (2011). Following The Hunger Games series, she has since achieved mainstream recognition for headlining the international-production fantasy film Into the Rainbow (2017), and playing Lorian in the drama film Woodstock or Bust (2019) and Serena in the Netflix drama series Spinning Out (2020).

Early life

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Willow Shields was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, the daughter of Carrie and Rob Shields, an art teacher. Her older brother, River, and twin sister, Autumn, are also actors.[2]

Career

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Beginnings and The Hunger Games film series (2008–2015)

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Shields' first job was in 2008, where she had a small narrating role in the short film Las Vegas New Mexico 1875.[3] She then made her screen debut for playing Lisa Rogan on the USA drama series In Plain Sight, a minor character seen in the episode "In My Humboldt Opinion" which was released in 2009.[4][5] In 2011, Shields appeared in the television film Beyond the Blackboard alongside actress Emily VanCamp.[6] In the film, she portrays a homeless child named Grace.

Shields was next cast in the science fiction adventure film The Hunger Games in April 2011, her first feature film role, where she was given the supporting role of Primrose Everdeen.[7][8] Released the following year in March, The Hunger Games broke several box-office records and emerged as one of the highest-grossing films of its year.[9][10] It was positively received by critics and audiences,[11][12] and helped bring Shields widespread recognition. On portraying Primrose, she has said that "just growing up as the character is going to be really fun".[13]

Shields at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con

Shields went on to reprise the role of Primrose in the rest of the franchise. The series' second installment was the highest-grossing film of 2013,[14][15] as well as the best received film of the franchise;[16][17] she earned a nomination for a Young Hollywood Award for her performance in 2014.[18] She was set to reprise the role for the series' final two films, Mockingjay Part 1 and Mockingjay Part 2, released in 2014 and 2015 respectively to critical and commercial success.[19][20][21] The four films grossed a collective $2.97 billion at the box-office,[22] which places it at 21st on the list of highest-grossing film franchises of all time.[23] For Mockingjay Part 2, she received a nomination for an MTV Award.[24]

Dancing With The Stars and mainstream roles (2016–present)

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In 2012, it was announced that Shields would star as Rachel in the fantasy film The Wonder.[25] Following a lengthy production, in which filming was done across China and New Zealand,[26] it was released as Into the Rainbow in 2017, across various international film festivals.[27] A theatrical release is planned, albeit it has been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[28] She was also cast in 2012 in the upcoming film A Fall From Grace, which is directed by Jennifer Lynch.[29][6]

In February 2015, Shields was announced as one of the celebrities to compete on season 20 of the reality series Dancing with the Stars, where her professional partner was Mark Ballas.[30] At age 14, she is the youngest competitor to ever appear on the show;[31] the title previously belonged to Zendaya, who was 16 when she appeared on the series.[32] The couple was controversially eliminated in the seventh week of competition,[33][34] ultimately finishing in seventh place despite receiving consistently high scores from the judges throughout the season.[33]

Dancing With the Stars performances

Week # Dance/Song Judges' score Result
Inaba Goodman Hough Tonioli
1 Cha-Cha-Cha / "Lips Are Movin" 7 7 7 7 No elimination
2 Argentine Tango / "Somebody That I Used to Know" 7 7 7 8 Safe
3 Paso Doble / "Hanuman" 8 8 8 8 Safe
4 Contemporary / "Atlas" 10 9 10 10 Safe
5 Foxtrot / "Alice's Theme" 8 8 9 9 Safe
6 Salsa / "Tequila"
Team Freestyle / "Wipe Out" 		9
10 		8
9 		8
10 		9
10 		Safe
7 Jazz /"Electric Feel"
Salsa Dance-Off / "Temperature" 		9
Awarded 		9
2 		9
Extra 		10
Points 		Eliminated

In 2018, Shields headlined the coming-of-age independent film Woodstock or Bust as Lorian.[35] Her performance gained praise from critics, and won her an award at the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival.[36] In December of that year, it was announced that Shields was cast in the role of Serena Baker on the Netflix original series Spinning Out.[37] A series centered on figure skating, her stunts were performed by stunt actor Kim Deguise Léveillée.[38] Spinning Out was released in 2020 to generally positive reviews,[39] however it was cancelled after one season.[40]

Personal life

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In June 2022, Shields came out as bisexual via an Instagram post.[41]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2008 Las Vegas New Mexico 1875 Girl Watching Gun Fight Short film; voice role
2012 The Hunger Games Primrose Everdeen
2013 The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
2014 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1
2015 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2
2017 Into the Rainbow Rachel Originally titled The Wonder[25]
2019 Woodstock or Bust Lorian
2022 When Time Got Louder Abbie
2023 Detective Knight: Independence Ally
2024 In Fidelity Greta Ayker

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 In Plain Sight Lisa Rogan / Lisa Royal Episode: "In My Humboldt Opinion"
2011 Beyond the Blackboard Grace Television film
2012 R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour Eve Episode: "Intruders"
2015 Dancing with the Stars Herself / Contestant Season 20
2019 The Unsettling Maya
2020 Spinning Out Serena Baker Main role

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2014 Young Hollywood Awards Best Cast-Chemistry Film The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Nominated [18]
2016 MTV Movie & TV Awards Ensemble Cast The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Nominated [24]
2019 Lady Filmmakers Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Woodstuck or Bust Nominated
2019 Artemis Women in Action Film Festival Best Actress Woodstuck or Bust Won [36]

References

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  1. ^ "This Day in History". Boston Globe. June 1, 2023. p. B2. ProQuest 2822621026. Today is Thursday, June 1, the 152nd day of 2023. [...] Actor Taylor Handley is 39. Actor Zazie Beetz is 32. Actor Willow Shields is 23.. See also:
    • "This Day in History". Boston Globe. June 1, 2020. p. B2. ProQuest 2430669115. Today is Monday, June 1, the 153rd day of 2010. [...] Actress-writer Amy Schumer is 39. Former tennis player Justin Henin is 38. Actress Willow Shields is 20..
  2. ^ Gomez, Adrian (March 18, 2012). "From ABQ To 'Hunger Games'". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  3. ^ Cerón, Ella (November 16, 2015). "How Willow Shields Said Goodbye to Primrose Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence, and the 'Hunger Games'". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  4. ^ Nededog, Jethro (March 23, 2012). "'Hunger Games' Actress Willow Shields Signs on for The Hub's 'The Haunting Hour'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "'The Hunger Games' Cast: Then and Now". Variety. May 19, 2017. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  6. ^ a b Prahl, Amanda (January 20, 2020). "Spinning Out Isn't Willow Shields's First Major Role — Here's What Else She's Done". POPSUGAR Entertainment. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  7. ^ Lennox, Richard (April 20, 2011). "Willow Shields Joins Cast of Hunger Games". Filmoria. Archived from the original on March 30, 2012. Retrieved July 10, 2011.
  8. ^ "Willow Shields Cast in 'The Hunger Games'". TheWrap. April 20, 2011. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  9. ^ "Box office report: 'The Hunger Games' posts third-best opening weekend ever with $155 mil". EW.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  10. ^ "Forecast: 'Hunger Games' Targets Record Books". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  11. ^ Reynolds, Simon (March 19, 2012). "Hunger Games: Does it live up to the hype?". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  12. ^ Ebert, Roger. "The Hunger Games movie review (2012) | Roger Ebert". rogerebert.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  13. ^ "Willow Shields and filming Catching Fire". myhungergames.com. July 16, 2012. Archived from the original on November 28, 2013. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  14. ^ "'Catching Fire' catches on with critics". Archived from the original on November 22, 2013. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  15. ^ "Top Lifetime Grosses". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  16. ^ Denby, David (November 25, 2013). "Winners And Losers". The New Yorker. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  17. ^ "'Catching Fire' reviews: Is it as good as the original 'Hunger Games'?". EW.com. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  18. ^ a b "2014 Young Hollywood Awards Nominees Include 'Pretty Little Liars,' 'Fault in Our Stars'". Variety. June 26, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  19. ^ "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1". Time Out Worldwide. November 11, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  20. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 22, 2014). "'Mockingjay' Sings High Abroad, But Why Is Katniss Shooting Low At Stateside B.O.?". Deadline. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  21. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 22, 2015). "Was It Wise To Divide Up 'Mockingjay'? Finale's $102.4M Debut Is 5th Highest Of 2015, But Lowest In Series". Deadline. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  22. ^ "Pixar's 'Dinosaur' and 'Creed' Look To Take a Bite Out of 'Mockingjay' This Thanksgiving". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  23. ^ "Lionsgate | The Hunger Games Movies | Socialbilitty". March 19, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  24. ^ a b Bell, Crystal. "Here Are Your 2016 MTV Movie Awards Nominees". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 9, 2016. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  25. ^ a b Armitage, Hugh (November 1, 2012). "'The Wonder' casts Urban, Willow Shields". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  26. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (September 28, 2015). "'The Wonder' 3D fantasy heads for China shoot". Screen. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  27. ^ Small, Courtney (March 2, 2017). "Smurfs, Ballerina, and more play 20th Anniversary of TIFF Kids International Film Festival". Cinema Axis. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  28. ^ Frater, Patrick (January 31, 2020). "China's Virus Crisis Hands Initiative to Video Streamers, Games Companies". Variety. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  29. ^ Gharnit, Yasmeen (November 18, 2015). "Willow Shields Is Ready For Post-'Hunger Games' Life". Nylon. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  30. ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' 2015: Season 20 Celebrity Cast Announced". ABC News. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  31. ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' 2015: 'Hunger Games' Star Willow Shields Voted Off Dance Floor in Week 7 of Season 20". ABC News. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  32. ^ O'Connell, Mikey (February 26, 2013). "'Dancing With the Stars' Season 16 Cast Includes Olympians, a Judd and an 'Idol'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  33. ^ a b Weigle, Lauren (April 27, 2015). "Willow Shields Eliminated Off 'Dancing With The Stars'". Heavy.com. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  34. ^ Miller, Bruce (April 27, 2015). "Willow Shields loses the 'Dancing With the Stars' hunger games". Sioux City Journal. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  35. ^ Davis, Georgia (August 13, 2019). "REVIEW: "Sixties Power That Holds Itself Back" – 'Woodstock or Bust' (2019)". Flip Screen. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  36. ^ a b "2019 Winners". Artemis Women In Action Film Festival. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  37. ^ Otterson, Joe (December 14, 2018). "'Hunger Games' Alum Willow Shields Joins Netflix Drama Series 'Spinning Out'". Variety. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  38. ^ Fuentes, Tamara (January 15, 2020). "Meet All the Pro Figure Skaters Who Appeared on "Spinning Out"". Seventeen. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  39. ^ Framke, Caroline (January 1, 2020). "USA's 'Dare Me' and Netflix's 'Spinning Out': TV Review". Variety. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  40. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 3, 2020). "'Spinning Out' Canceled By Netflix After One Season". Deadline. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  41. ^ @willowshields (June 2, 2022). "Hi I'm bi 🏳️‍🌈 Happy Pride!!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜" – via Instagram.
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