Margaret Qualley is one of those stars who somehow feels like she appeared out of nowhere, but the more you dig, the more fascinating little details you uncover. She’s not just an actress who happens to also be Andie MacDowell’s daughter—she’s a ballerina, a Chanel muse, a video-game character, and the kind of person Lana Del Rey casually writes a love song about. Here are the quirks and career turns you might not know, even if you already count yourself a fan.
1. “Margaret” is actually her middle name
Her legal name is Sarah Margaret Qualley. She started going by “Margaret” as a teen because modeling agencies told her to shorten it, and she’s admitted she kinda regrets dropping “Sarah” even though she’s stuck with the stage name now.
2. She left home at 14 for ballet bootcamp
Most teenagers are figuring out how to drive, but Margaret packed her bags and left home at 14 to study ballet full-time. She trained at some of the most prestigious academies in the U.S., pushing herself through grueling hours of practice. That kind of discipline doesn’t just disappear—it’s the backbone of why she seems so completely in control of her body in roles like the Kenzo ad or Fosse/Verdon.
3. She nearly became a professional ballerina
It wasn’t just a hobby—she was this close to joining a ballet company as an apprentice. She even considered dropping out of high school for it. In the end, she realised that lifestyle wasn’t for her and walked away from ballet. It’s wild to think that if she didn’t make that choice we would never see her on screen.
4. Her first film role was basically a fluke
Margaret’s acting debut wasn’t some carefully plotted career move. She was literally hanging out on the set of Gia Coppola’s film Palo Alto when Coppola looked at her and said, “You should be in this.” Boom, first role.
5. She made her society debut in Paris
Before prestige TV and Cannes carpets, Qualley did the old-school thing: she was a debutante at Le Bal des Débutantes in 2011. Yes the Paris ball, that whole big wealthy society thing for well known families where their daughters are presented to the world in fancy gowns.
6. The Kenzo ad turned her into internet royalty
If you’ve seen Margaret flinging herself across a fancy theater lobby in Spike Jonze’s 2016 Kenzo perfume ad, you know. That three-minute fever dream showed off her dance background and willingness to go absolutely bonkers on screen. She licked statues, karate-kicked the air, and basically redefined “chaotic good.” It went viral for a reason—it was impossible to look away.
7. That ad landed her in a video game
Legendary game designer Hideo Kojima saw the Kenzo clip and thought, “Yep, I need her in my next project.” That project was Death Stranding, and Margaret didn’t just play one role—she played two: twin sisters Mama and Lockne. Thanks to motion capture, she became a central figure in one of the weirdest, most ambitious video games of the decade.
8. She acted opposite her real mom in Maid
Most actors would be intimidated to work alongside their parents, but Margaret went one step further—she actually pitched the idea. In Netflix’s Maid and her on-screen mom was played by her real mother, Andie MacDowell, which made everything much more believable and added a whole new level of intensity.
9. She co-directed a music video for her husband
“Tiny Moves,” from Jack Antonoff’s band Bleachers, doubles as a dance film and a playful valentine for her husband. Qualley not only stars in it, she also co-directed it and choreographed the movement language herself.
10. Lana Del Rey wrote a song with her name on it
When Lana Del Rey thinks you’re cool enough to write a song about, you’ve officially made it. On her 2023 album, Lana included the track “Margaret,” inspired by Qualley’s romance with Antonoff. It’s dreamy, moody, and immortalizes her in the Lana cinematic universe. Not many actors can say they’ve been turned into lyrics like that.
11. She’s one of Chanel’s modern muses
Margaret has fronted many Chanel campaigns and regularly turns up at the maison’s shows, and the major awards, in custom looks. She even helped bring a Chanel short film “Haute Couture Tale” to life on the runway.
12. She got an Emmy nod for playing Ann Reinking
In Fosse/Verdon, Margaret played Broadway legend Ann Reinking. No pressure, just act like one of the greatest dancers of all time. But she pulled it off so convincingly that she got nominated for an Emmy. It was a clear sign she wasn’t just the “Kenzo ad girl”—she had serious acting chops.
13. She went viral in her sister’s music video
Margaret and Rainey teamed up for the provocative short film/music video “Love Me Like You Hate Me,” which depicted a relationship’s bliss and breakdown in raw, choreographed detail. Margaret starred alongside Shia LaBeouf, and the video’s intensity made it an instant internet talking point. It was bold, messy, and very un-Hollywood polished—exactly the kind of risk Margaret is drawn to.
14. She did motion capture for a pop album alter ego
File this one under “unexpected career detours.” Margaret lent her body and movement to help create the animated character Princess Catgirl, an alter ego of electronic producer Cashmere Cat. Her background in dance made her the perfect person to bring a digital character to life—it’s yet another medium where she’s managed to leave her mark.
15. Her wedding turned into an indie-pop summit
Margaret married Jack Antonoff in August 2023. It was an intimate New Jersey wedding, but the guest list truly looked like a dream festival lineup. Taylor Swift? Lana Del Rey? Yup, both of them were there. It was one of those “only in their circle” events that blended music, fashion, and film in one very chic seaside celebration.
