More on KentOnline
Kent actress Mia McKenna-Bruce has shared details of her night with the stars at the BAFTAs on Sunday.
Not only did the former Maidstone schoolgirl take the EE Rising Star award, but also rubbed shoulders with movie A-listers Margot Robbie and Kaya Scoledario, as well as the Prince of Wales.
The award-winning actress walked the red carpet in a black designer dress by Carolina Herrera which was approved by Barbie star Margot.
“A few nights before we were at the same event and we were chatting and she was like ‘What are you wearing?’ and I was like ‘Oh I’ll show you a picture’ and she said I look like a princess,” gushed Mia.
The new mum also had the chance to have a quick chat with “amazing” Kaya Scoledario, who starred in Skins, about babies.
And, Mia met a royal for the first time. Prince William, who she called “lovely”. The future king chatted with her and other nominees on the night.
“We kind of got told before that we'd get to meet him so in my head I was like ‘oh my gosh we’re going to have to curtsy and I'm in really high heels’.
“But, they were like ‘no it's very casual as it can be with a royal, you know just take the hand and introduce yourself’.”
Mia called the show hosted by David Tennant “the most special night ever” and said “she could not have dreamt up anything better”.
In an interview with KentOnline last week, she talked about her BAFTA nomination for her praised performance in Molly Manning-Walker’s hit indie film How to Have Sex.
She was in the running for the EE Rising Star award alongside Bridgerton star Phoebe Dynevor, and Saltburn actor Jacob Elordi.
And at the ceremony, it was Mia who won BAFTA’s only voted category and she was presented with the award by previous winners Emma Mackey and Jack O’Connell.
“I thought I was going to pass out, to be honest. As I was walking up to the stage I was like ‘breathe, breathe, breathe’.”
In an emotional acceptance speech, she thanked the cast and crew of How to Have Sex, her team, family, sisters, partner Tom Leach and her new baby son.
Also thanking her parents, she said: “Thank you so much for believing five-year-old me could do this one day, I can’t ever repay you but maybe this is a start.”
As she came off the stage, Mia said she felt as if she was going to faint while everyone asked her if she was okay.
“My mouth had gotten so dry from the nerves. I was like ‘I need some water and I need my mum and my dad’ because they were in the audience.
“I woke up the next morning and was like, are we sure that wasn't a dream?” she laughed.
The actress added that she hopes her recent award means she will get to do more films which have a message and resonate with people.
“Just more of that would be would be incredible,” she said.