On a recent episode of The Graham Norton Show, three incredible women took the stage and shared their experiences with badass stunts. Daisy Ridley, Michelle Yeoh, and Dakota Johnson, all known for their fearless performances in action-packed movies, delighted the audience with their stories of real-life daredevilry.
First up was Daisy Ridley, who revealed her impressive driving skills during the filming of Mad Max: Fury Road in Australia. In a video clip shared on the show, Ridley can be seen effortlessly maneuvering a car, performing a handbrake turn, and ending up with the back of the car perfectly positioned between two poles. What makes this even more impressive is the fact that Ridley doesn’t even have a driver’s license. She admitted that she struggles with parallel parking and highway driving, but pulling off stunts like this comes naturally to her.
Next, Michelle Yeoh discussed her experience with horseback riding and stunts. She mentioned her love for trick riding and stunt riding, which she honed during her time filming Prince of Persia. Yeoh proudly shared a stunt she performed in the movie, where she pulled herself onto a galloping horse, rode off, and then jumped back onto the horse. She trained extensively for this exhilarating feat and even had to convince the producers to let her do it herself. Yeoh also mentioned that for her upcoming role in a western film, she will be undergoing five to six months of intensive riding training.
Finally, Dakota Johnson talked about her day of stunt driving for the movie The Lost Daughter. She shared a clip of herself performing a handbrake turn and parking the car with remarkable precision. Despite having just one day of training, Johnson handled the stunt effortlessly and joked that she deserves an Oscar nomination for her exceptional driving skills.
While these women may be known for their onscreen badassery, they also discussed the challenges and risks involved in performing stunts. Daisy Ridley recalled two instances where she thought she might die while filming scenes involving water. Michelle Yeoh shared a hair-raising experience with a horse that had been trained to collapse on command, and Dakota Johnson faced the daunting task of presenting her arm to a trained attack dog for a daring scene.
The Graham Norton Show provided a platform for these talented actresses to share their experiences and prove that behind their glamorous onscreen personas, they are genuine daredevils. From driving cars to performing stunts on horses, these women showcased their fearlessness and dedication to their craft. It goes to show that being a badass in real life is just as exciting as it is on the silver screen.
