Emily Ratajkowski: Career, Activism & Personal Life

For anyone who remembers that summer when “Blurred Lines” seemed to play on a loop, Emily Ratajkowski became an instantly familiar face. But the model, actress, and writer who emerged from that 2013 video has built a career far more layered than any single viral moment.

Born: June 7, 1991 (London, England) ·
Occupation: Model, actress, activist, writer ·
Breakout Role: Blurred Lines music video (2013) ·
Instagram Followers: 28 million ·
Notable Work: NYT Bestseller ‘My Body’

Eight key facts about Emily Ratajkowski, drawn from multiple sources.

The table above distills her core biographical data into a single reference point.

Is Emily Ratajkowski Irish?

What is Emily Ratajkowski’s ethnic background?

Emily Ratajkowski’s ancestry is a mix of Polish, Jewish, and Irish descent. Her father John David Ratajkowski is a painter and her mother Kathleen Balgley is a professor. She was born in London to American parents and raised in San Diego (Wikipedia biographical entry). She also spent part of her childhood in Ireland and Mallorca, according to her IMDb biography.

Where was Emily Ratajkowski born?

London, England, on June 7, 1991.

Is Emily Ratajkowski LGBTQ?

Has Emily Ratajkowski identified as LGBTQ?

Ratajkowski has described herself as “not straight” in public statements. She has dated both men and women and has spoken about fluid sexuality in interviews. While she hasn’t adopted a single label like bisexual or pansexual, her openness about being queer is documented in media coverage.

What has she said about her sexuality?

In a conversation with Interview Magazine, she discussed her relationships with women and her rejection of heteronormative expectations. The exact quote “I’m not straight” has been widely cited by fans and media, though Ratajkowski has not issued a formal statement defining her orientation.

Why Is Emily Ratajkowski So Famous?

How did Blurred Lines launch her career?

Her breakout came in 2013 when she appeared in Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” music video. The video became a cultural flashpoint — both for its catchy but controversial lyrics and for Ratajkowski’s striking presence (Famous Birthdays career summary). While the song dominated charts, it also sparked debates about consent and misogyny, thrusting Ratajkowski into a spotlight she would later address in her writing.

What other work has she done?

She has modeled for Sports Illustrated, Marc Jacobs, and other major brands. Her acting credits include Gone Girl (2014), I Feel Pretty (2018), and a guest appearance on iCarly. In 2021 she published the essay collection My Body, a New York Times bestseller, and she has 28 million Instagram followers. She has also been a spokesperson for Planned Parenthood and a vocal feminist advocate (Numéro profile on her activism).

Did Brad Pitt Date Emily Ratajkowski?

What is the source of the dating rumor?

Sightings of Ratajkowski and Brad Pitt together in 2020 sparked tabloid speculation. Neither party has confirmed a romantic relationship, and the rumors remain unsubstantiated (Fox News coverage of the rumor).

Have either confirmed the relationship?

No. Ratajkowski has discussed dating after her divorce from Sebastian Bear-McClard but hasn’t named Brad Pitt as a partner. The rumor appears to be driven by social media speculation rather than credible reporting.

Does Emily Ratajkowski Shave Her Armpits?

Has she publicly shown armpit hair?

Ratajkowski posed for a magazine shoot with visible armpit hair and has spoken about body autonomy and grooming choices. Her stance is rooted in feminist rejection of prescriptive beauty standards (Numéro article on her feminist views).

What is her stance on body hair?

She advocates for women’s right to choose, whether to shave or not. In interviews she has described grooming norms as a form of social control, and her own choices reflect a deliberate break from expectation.

Quotes from Emily Ratajkowski

I resented being a good girl before getting married.— Emily Ratajkowski to People (2026), on her post-divorce dating phase

I’m not straight.— Emily Ratajkowski in Interview Magazine, discussing her sexuality

The pattern across her public statements is a consistent refusal to perform traditional femininity — whether about body hair, sexual identity, or marriage. Ratajkowski uses her platform to challenge expectations, but the cost of that honesty, as she told CBS Mornings, is constant scrutiny.

For fans and followers curious about “Emily Ratajkowski armpit hair stance” or “Emily Ratajkowski LGBTQ identity,” the evidence shows a woman who treats personal choices as political statements. The trade-off: she remains endlessly discussed, but rarely on her own terms.

For the public following her journey, the choice is clear: take her at her word that she is a model, writer, and activist on her own schedule, or keep waiting for the next viral chapter. Either way, Emily Ratajkowski has already rewritten the script that was written for her.