Willow Shields
{{short description|American actress}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Willow Shields
| image = Willow Shields SDCC 2015.jpg
| caption = Shields at San Diego Comic-Con in 2015
| image_size =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|6|1}}
| birth_place = Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S.
| occupation = Actress
| years active = 2008–present
}}
Willow Shields (born June 1, 2000){{Cite news|title=This Day in History|author=|date=June 1, 2023|work=Boston Globe|page=B2|quote=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.|id={{ProQuest|2822621026}}}}. See also:
- {{Cite news|title=This Day in History|author=|date=June 1, 2020|work=Boston Globe|page=B2|quote=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.|id={{ProQuest|2430669115}}}}. 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 fourth 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
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.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abqjournal.com/94671/news/from-abq-to-hunger-games.html|title=From ABQ To 'Hunger Games'|work=Albuquerque Journal|date=March 18, 2012|access-date=January 19, 2017|first=Adrian|last=Gomez|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304040007/http://www.abqjournal.com/94671/news/from-abq-to-hunger-games.html|url-status=dead}}
Career
= Beginnings and ''The Hunger Games'' film series (2008–2015) =
Shields' first job was in 2008, where she had a small narrating role in the short film Las Vegas New Mexico 1875.{{Cite web|last=Cerón|first=Ella|title=How Willow Shields Said Goodbye to Primrose Everdeen, Jennifer Lawrence, and the 'Hunger Games'|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/willow-shields-interview-mockingjay-part-2|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Teen Vogue|date=16 November 2015 |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Nededog|first=Jethro|date=2012-03-23|title='Hunger Games' Actress Willow Shields Signs on for The Hub's 'The Haunting Hour'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hunger-games-willow-shields-haunting-hour-hub-casting-303864/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|author=|date=2017-05-19|title='The Hunger Games' Cast: Then and Now|url=https://variety.com/gallery/the-hunger-games-cast-then-and-now-2/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}} In 2011, Shields appeared in the television film Beyond the Blackboard alongside actress Emily VanCamp.{{Cite web|last=Prahl|first=Amanda|date=2020-01-20|title=Spinning Out Isn't Willow Shields's First Major Role — Here's What Else She's Done|url=https://www.popsugar.com/node/47092048|access-date=2021-06-16|website=POPSUGAR Entertainment|language=en-US}} 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.{{cite news|url=http://filmoria.co.uk/2011/04/willow-shields-joins-cast-of-the-hunger-games/ |title=Willow Shields Joins Cast of Hunger Games |work=Filmoria |first=Richard|last=Lennox|date=April 20, 2011|access-date=July 10, 2011|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330080815/http://filmoria.co.uk/2011/04/willow-shields-joins-cast-of-the-hunger-games/|archive-date=March 30, 2012}}{{Cite web|date=2011-04-20|title=Willow Shields Cast in 'The Hunger Games'|url=https://www.thewrap.com/hunger-games-has-its-primrose-everdeen-willow-shields-26637/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=TheWrap|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Box office report: 'The Hunger Games' posts third-best opening weekend ever with $155 mil|url=https://ew.com/article/2012/03/25/box-office-report-hunger-games/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=EW.com|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Forecast: 'Hunger Games' Targets Record Books|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed2709324804/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Box Office Mojo}} It was positively received by critics and audiences,{{Cite web|last=Reynolds|first=Simon|date=2012-03-19|title=Hunger Games: Does it live up to the hype?|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a372023/the-hunger-games-review/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=The Hunger Games movie review (2012) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-hunger-games-2012|access-date=2021-06-16|website=rogerebert.com|language=en}} 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".{{cite web|date=July 16, 2012|title=Willow Shields and filming Catching Fire|url=http://www.myhungergames.com/video-willow-shields-and-filming-catching-fire|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128074227/http://www.myhungergames.com/video-willow-shields-and-filming-catching-fire|archive-date=November 28, 2013|access-date=July 19, 2012|website=myhungergames.com}}
File:Willow Shields SDCC '13.png]]
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,{{Cite web|title='Catching Fire' catches on with critics|url=https://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/21/catching-fire-catches-on-with-critics/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131122082639/http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2013/11/21/catching-fire-catches-on-with-critics/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2013|access-date=2021-06-16|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Top Lifetime Grosses|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/chart/top_lifetime_gross/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Box Office Mojo}} as well as the best received film of the franchise;{{Cite magazine|last=Denby|first=David|title=Winners And Losers|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2013/12/02/winners-and-losers-2|access-date=2021-06-16|magazine=The New Yorker|date=25 November 2013 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|title='Catching Fire' reviews: Is it as good as the original 'Hunger Games'?|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/11/21/catching-fire-hunger-games-critical-mass/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=EW.com|language=en}} she earned a nomination for a Young Hollywood Award for her performance in 2014.{{Cite web|author=|date=2014-06-26|title=2014 Young Hollywood Awards Nominees Include 'Pretty Little Liars,' 'Fault in Our Stars'|url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/young-hollywood-awards-nominees-2014-announced-1201251383/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|title=The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1|url=https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Time Out Worldwide|date=November 11, 2014 |language=en}}{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2014-11-22|title='Mockingjay' Sings High Abroad, But Why Is Katniss Shooting Low At Stateside B.O.?|url=https://deadline.com/2014/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-1-friday-box-office-franchise-low-1201292612/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2015-11-22|title=Was It Wise To Divide Up 'Mockingjay'? Finale's $102.4M Debut Is 5th Highest Of 2015, But Lowest In Series|url=https://deadline.com/2015/11/hunger-games-mockingjay-part-2-weekend-box-office-the-night-before-the-secret-in-their-eyes-1201631411/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US}} The four films grossed a collective $2.97 billion at the box-office,{{Cite web|title=Pixar's 'Dinosaur' and 'Creed' Look To Take a Bite Out of 'Mockingjay' This Thanksgiving|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/article/ed4200596484/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Box Office Mojo}} which places it at 21st on the list of highest-grossing film franchises of all time.{{Cite web|date=2014-03-19|title=Lionsgate {{!}} The Hunger Games Movies {{!}} Socialbilitty|url=https://socialbilitty.com/2014/03/lionsgate-the-hunger-games-movies/|access-date=2021-06-16|language=en-US}} For Mockingjay Part 2, she received a nomination for an MTV Award.{{Cite web|last=Bell|first=Crystal|title=Here Are Your 2016 MTV Movie Awards Nominees|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2750915/mtv-movie-awards-nominations-2016/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309090419/http://www.mtv.com/news/2750915/mtv-movie-awards-nominations-2016/|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 9, 2016|access-date=2021-06-16|website=MTV News|language=en}}
= ''Dancing With The Stars'' and mainstream roles (2016–present) =
In 2012, it was announced that Shields would star as Rachel in the fantasy film The Wonder.{{Cite web|last=Armitage|first=Hugh|date=2012-11-01|title='The Wonder' casts Urban, Willow Shields|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a434836/the-wonder-casts-judge-dredd-karl-urban-hunger-games-willow-shields/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}} Following a lengthy production, in which filming was done across China and New Zealand,{{Cite web|last= Wiseman|first=Andreas|date=2015-09-28|title='The Wonder' 3D fantasy heads for China shoot|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/the-wonder-3d-fantasy-heads-for-china-shoot/5094686.article|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Screen|language=en}} it was released as Into the Rainbow in 2017, across various international film festivals.{{Cite web|last=Small|first=Courtney|date=2017-03-02|title=Smurfs, Ballerina, and more play 20th Anniversary of TIFF Kids International Film Festival|url=https://cinemaaxis.com/2017/03/02/smurfs-ballerina-and-more-play-20th-anniversary-of-tiff-kids-international-film-festival/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Cinema Axis|language=en}} A theatrical release is planned, albeit it has been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|last=Frater|first=Patrick|date=2020-01-31|title=China's Virus Crisis Hands Initiative to Video Streamers, Games Companies|url=https://variety.com/2020/digital/asia/china-virus-crisis-video-streamer-online-games-donnie-yen-1203488032/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}} She was also cast in 2012 in the upcoming film A Fall From Grace, which is directed by Jennifer Lynch.{{cite news|url=https://nylon.com/articles/willow-shields|title=Willow Shields Is Ready For Post-'Hunger Games' Life|first=Yasmeen |last=Gharnit|date=November 18, 2015|work=Nylon|access-date=September 8, 2018}}
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.{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/dancing-stars-2015-season-20-celebrity-cast-announced/story?id=29166872|title='Dancing With the Stars' 2015: Season 20 Celebrity Cast Announced|work=ABC News|access-date=24 February 2015}} At age 14, she is the youngest competitor to ever appear on the show;{{Cite web|author=|title='Dancing With the Stars' 2015: 'Hunger Games' Star Willow Shields Voted Off Dance Floor in Week 7 of Season 20|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/dancing-stars-2015-hunger-games-star-willow-shields/story?id=30627244|access-date=2021-06-16|website=ABC News|language=en}} the title previously belonged to Zendaya, who was 16 when she appeared on the series.{{Cite web|last=O'Connell|first=Mikey|date=2013-02-26|title='Dancing With the Stars' Season 16 Cast Includes Olympians, a Judd and an 'Idol'|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/dancing-stars-announces-season-16-424390/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US}} The couple was controversially eliminated in the seventh week of competition,{{Cite web|last=Miller|first=Bruce|title=Willow Shields loses the 'Dancing With the Stars' hunger games|url=https://siouxcityjournal.com/entertainment/television/willow-shields-loses-the-dancing-with-the-stars-hunger-games/article_d27e621c-ed4d-11e4-85d7-0ff7553e0768.html|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Sioux City Journal|date=April 27, 2015 |language=en}} ultimately finishing in seventh place despite receiving consistently high scores from the judges throughout the season.{{cite news|url=http://heavy.com/entertainment/2015/04/willow-shields-eliminated-dwts-elimination-dancing-with-the-stars-voted-off-who/ |title=Willow Shields Eliminated Off 'Dancing With The Stars'|first=Lauren|last=Weigle|work=Heavy.com|date=April 27, 2015|access-date=April 27, 2015}}
Dancing With the Stars performances
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Week # ! rowspan="2" |Dance/Song ! colspan="4" |Judges' score ! rowspan="2" |Result |
| style="text-align: center; background:#ccc;"
| style="width:10%; " |Inaba | style="width:10%; " |Goodman | style="width:10%; " |Hough | style="width:10%; " |Tonioli |
| style="text-align: center; background:#faf6f6;"
|1 |Cha-Cha-Cha / "Lips Are Movin" |7 |7 |7 |7 |No elimination |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
|2 |Argentine Tango / "Somebody That I Used to Know" |7 |7 |7 |8 |Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
|3 |Paso Doble / "Hanuman" |8 |8 |8 |8 |Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
|4 |Contemporary / "Atlas" |10 |9 |10 |10 |Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6;"
|5 |Foxtrot / "Alice's Theme" |8 |8 |9 |9 |Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6"
|6 |Salsa / "Tequila" |9 |8 |8 |9 |Safe |
| style="text-align:center; background:#faf6f6"
|7 |Jazz /"Electric Feel" |9 |9 |9 |10 |Eliminated |
In 2018, Shields headlined the coming-of-age independent film Woodstock or Bust as Lorian.{{Cite web|last=Davis|first=Georgia|date=2019-08-13|title=REVIEW: "Sixties Power That Holds Itself Back" – 'Woodstock or Bust' (2019)|url=https://flipscreened.com/2019/08/13/review-sixties-power-that-holds-itself-back-woodstock-or-bust-2019/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Flip Screen|language=en-GB}} Her performance gained praise from critics, and won her an award at the Artemis Women in Action Film Festival.{{Cite web|title=2019 Winners|url=https://www.artemisfilmfestival.com/2019-festival/2019-winners/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Artemis Women In Action Film Festival|language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|last=Otterson|first=Joe|date=2018-12-14|title='Hunger Games' Alum Willow Shields Joins Netflix Drama Series 'Spinning Out'|url=https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/hunger-games-willow-shields-spinning-out-netflix-1203090218/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}} A series centered on figure skating, her stunts were performed by stunt actor Kim Deguise Léveillée.{{Cite web|last=Fuentes|first=Tamara|date=2020-01-15|title=Meet All the Pro Figure Skaters Who Appeared on "Spinning Out"|url=https://www.seventeen.com/celebrity/movies-tv/a30519103/pro-figure-skater-cameos-appearances-double-spinning-out/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Seventeen|language=en-US}} Spinning Out was released in 2020 to generally positive reviews,{{Cite web|last=Framke|first=Caroline|date=2020-01-01|title=USA's 'Dare Me' and Netflix's 'Spinning Out': TV Review|url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/reviews/spinning-out-netflix-dare-me-megan-abbott-review-1203450164/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Variety|language=en-US}} however it was cancelled after one season.{{Cite web|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=2020-02-03|title='Spinning Out' Canceled By Netflix After One Season|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/spinning-out-canceled-netflix-one-season-1202850380/|access-date=2021-06-16|website=Deadline|language=en-US}}
Personal life
In June 2022, Shields came out as bisexual via an Instagram post.{{Cite instagram |user=willowshields |postid=CeTy8ddrO2y |title=Hi I'm bi 🏳️🌈 Happy Pride!!! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 |date=2022-06-02}}
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2008
| Las Vegas New Mexico 1875 | Girl Watching Gun Fight | Short film; voice role |
| 2012
| rowspan="4"|Primrose Everdeen | |
| 2013
| The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | |
| 2014
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 | |
| 2015
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 | |
| 2017
| Rachel |
| 2019
| Woodstock or Bust | Lorian | |
| 2022
| Abbie | |
| 2023
| Detective Knight: Independence | Ally | |
| 2024
| Greta Ayker | |
= Television =
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2009
| Lisa Rogan / Lisa Royal | Episode: "In My Humboldt Opinion" |
| 2011
| Grace |
| 2012
| R.L. Stine's The Haunting Hour | Eve | Episode: "Intruders" |
| 2015
| Herself / Contestant |
| 2019
| Maya | |
| 2020
| Serena Baker | Main role |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result ! class="unsortable" | Ref |
|---|
| 2014
| The Hunger Games: Catching Fire | {{nom}} |
| 2016
| The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 | {{nom}} |
| 2019
| Lady Filmmakers Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Woodstuck or Bust | {{nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | |
| 2019
| Artemis Women in Action Film Festival | Best Actress |Woodstuck or Bust | {{won}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Willow Shields}}
- {{IMDb name|3094377}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shields, Willow}}
Category:American child actresses
Category:American film actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:Actresses from Albuquerque, New Mexico
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Fraternal twin actresses