There’s little doubt that Nicholas Galitzine has already established himself as a Hollywood heartthrob.
The 28-year-old, who is said to be from Russian royalty, has been in the spotlight since his breakthrough role in the live-action remake of Cinderella in 2021.
His career went from strength to strength after he landed a number of roles, including the fictional Prince Henry for Amazon’s Red, White and Royal Blue.
The steamy romantic comedy stars Nicholas as the British king whose life is thrown into disarray when he begins a romance with the first son of the United States.
There’s little doubt that Nicholas Galitzine has already established himself as a Hollywood heartthrob
His career went from strength to strength after he landed a number of roles, including the fictional Prince Henry (right) for Amazon’s Red, White and Royal Blue
However, this isn’t the first time the film star has portrayed an LGBTQ+ character, and this pattern has led many fans to brand him a “queer icon.”
Despite his enviable success, Nicholas did not always show interest in becoming an actor, instead harboring high hopes of playing professional rugby.
He was a “shy boy” whose father forced him to go to his first audition, which he ended up doing to impress a girl.
Ahead of the release of Nicholas’ latest blockbuster titled ‘Bottoms’, FEMAIL has revealed his journey into the limelight.
Nicholas grew up wanting to become a professional rugby player – but his family continued to support him when he chose a different career
London-born Nicholas, who was raised by his Greek mother and Russian father, has arguably thrived in his royal roles because of his own impressive family lineage.
Internet detectives have reconstructed the star’s origins and discovered that he comes from the House of Golitsyn – one of the largest royal families in Tsar-ruled Russia.
It is believed that his own ancestors were forced to flee to Britain amid the political and social unrest of the Russian Revolution, which raged between 1917 and 1923.
London-born Nicholas, who was raised by his Greek mother and Russian father, has arguably thrived in his royal roles because of his own impressive family lineage
But when he finally committed to it, his family continued to support him – and Nicholas remained close to his parents and his older sister Lexi, who works as an artist
Nicholas, whose parents both work in finance, attended an all-boys school and dreamed of becoming a professional rugby player.
By his own admission, the 6-foot-2 star hung out with the “sports crowd” and acting was the last thing he wanted.
But when he finally committed to it, his family continued to support him – and Nicholas remained close to his parents and his older sister Lexi, who works as an artist.
He also regularly praises his father for “convincing” him to attend his first audition.
Nicholas’ father XX and his mother XX.
The rising star, who was a “shy kid”, only attended his first audition to impress a girl
By all accounts, Nicholas’ acting career came somewhat out of the blue – he had auditioned for a festival play intended for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the hope of getting closer to his crush.
Speaking about his initial reluctance, he told The Last Magazine: “At first I was very gun shy because the thought of performing just scared me.”
“I’ve always been a bit of an introvert and shy boy, so the thought of performing was scary, but I had just finished school and it was a fun plan for the summer holidays, so I auditioned for it.”
“Funnily enough – my dad will never let me down on this – but I was outside the theater and I called him, ‘What the hell am I doing here?’ “I’m not an actor, I’ve never done this before, this is silly, I should come home.”
Describing his childhood, Nicholas said: “I was always a bit introverted and a shy child, so the idea of performing was terrifying.”
Nicholas undoubtedly got his big break when he was cast as Prince Robert in Amazon’s live-action adaptation of Cinderella alongside Camila Cabello, who took on the role of the iconic Disney princess
“He convinced me that it would at least be a fun, new experience and that I would probably regret it if I didn’t do it.”
He further explained to Wonderland Magazine in 2019: “There was a girl who went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and I really liked her.” I did [the festival] so I can chase this girl. And I came back with this acting agency.’
Nicholas said that he had never considered a career in acting and was worried about his parents, adding: “I’m sure after paying for me to train they were so pleased that I went the route of an unemployed, broke actor.”
Nevertheless, he ultimately decided on this career path and landed his first role in the comedy “The Beat Beneath My Feet” in 2014.
And a whole series of other roles soon followed, including in the romantic comedy “High Strung” and the drama “Handsome Devil”.
Despite the simmering success, Nicholas undoubtedly got his big break when he was cast as Prince Robert in Amazon’s live-action adaptation of Cinderella alongside Camila Cabello, who took on the role of the iconic Disney princess.
After his Cinderella success, Nicholas then landed a starring role in the Netflix series “Purple Hearts,” about a troubled Marine and a strong-willed singer who fake a marriage for money despite their ideologically opposing viewpoints
On Father’s Day 2021, Nicholas shared a picture with his father Geoffrey with the caption: “Your courage and drive inspire me more than you know.”
After his Cinderella success, Nicholas then landed a starring role in the Netflix series “Purple Hearts,” about a troubled Marine and a strong-willed singer who fake a marriage for money despite their ideologically opposing viewpoints.
And although it was controversial, it quickly became the platform’s most successful title of 2022 – and propelled Nicholas’ career to new heights.
But throughout his success, he continued to praise his father for giving him the push he needed.
On Father’s Day in 2021, Nicholas shared a picture with his father Geoffrey with the caption: “To the man who raised me, drove me to rugby games across the country, let me fly a plane when I was nine and wins me over to go.” to audition for the play where I would be discovered and begin a career as an actor: HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!
“Your courage and drive inspire me more than you know.” You were there for me every step of the way and I couldn’t ask for anything better. I love you, Big G.’
Since then, the actor has become something of a “queer icon” on screen
Nicholas’ career has continued to evolve since then and he has carved out something of a niche for himself as a “queer icon.”
Fans have regularly commented on his regular reprisal of LGBTQ+ character roles.
It started with his role as an undercover rugby player in “Handsome Devil,” which won three awards at the 2017 FilmOut San Diego LGBT Film Festival.
Next came his appearance in 2020’s The Craft: Legacy, a reboot of the 1990s classic.
Most recently, it shone in red, white and royal blue as viewers not only enjoyed the sweet and lighthearted nature of the romantic comedy, but also appreciated the authentic portrayal of an LGTBQ+ couple
Nicholas took on the role of the high school bully who later comes out as bisexual – and delivered the line: “Everyone assumes you’re just gay, and that’s fine, there’s nothing wrong with that at all, me.” … I like them both.”
Most recently, it shone in red, white and royal blue as viewers not only enjoyed the sweet and lighthearted nature of the romantic comedy, but also appreciated the authentic portrayal of an LGTBQ+ couple.
Some fans even burst into tears as they witnessed a “sensual, perfect” sex scene between the president’s son and his British prince lover.
The film’s director, Matthew Lopez, previously spoke to about the meaning of this scene, adding: “When we first show them making love, they’re already falling in love,” Lopez explained.
“When I thought about it from that perspective, I realized that ultimately this scene had to be emotional and about the characters.”
He will also appear in the TV series Mary & George as George Villiers, who becomes the lover of King James I after being groomed by his mother to seduce the ruler in order to gain influence in the royal court to back up
And Nicholas’ upcoming squad appears to be following suit, as he’s set to star in the comedy Bottoms.
The film is set to be released on August 25th and is about “two unpopular queer high school students who start a fight club to have sex before graduating.”
He will also appear in the TV series Mary & George as George Villiers, who becomes the lover of King James I after being groomed by his mother to seduce the ruler in order to gain influence in the royal court to back up.
Nicholas has never directly addressed his own sexuality, but has previously discussed his desire to accurately represent the LGBTQ+ community.
Speaking to the Just For Variety podcast about authentic casting particularly as it relates to red, white and royal blue, he said: “I think it’s a very sensitive subject.”
“I think the most important thing for me was to let Matthew know that I loved Henry as a person and that I could empathize with him as a character. “I just wanted to try to give as honest a portrayal – never a caricature – as I could.”