Why is she famous?
While the 25-year-old is currently gaining popularity for her recent role as Yelena Belova in Marvel’s Black Widow, alongside Scarlett Johansson, the actress has been hitting screens since 2014 when she made her film debut in The Falling.
Florence also starred in the 2016 version of Lady Macbeth, as well as King Lear, Outlaw King and the miniseries The Little Drummer Girl in 2018. A year later, Florence appeared in Fighting with My Family, Midsommar and an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s famous modern classic, Little Women.
Acting alongside Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Timothée Chalamet and Laura Dern, Florence made quite the impact as Amy March in Little Women, earning herself Academy Award and BAFTA nominations.
But it’s not just her impeccable acting skills that have garnered Florence such a dedicated following…
Florence’s Instagram
From her wholesome cooking tutorials, stress-relieving dance videos and the whole “Barry the cactus” saga (check her Instagram highlights), Florence’s social media content has been described as “free therapy” (by us included) with many people deeming the 25-year-old their “comfort person” (also us included).
The actress currently has almost 4 million followers and has many cooking highlights which feature her making things like squash soup, brown bread, Tzatziki and more. We highly recommend you check them out if you haven’t already, they are oh-so mesmerising and comforting. And if you’re looking for some stress-relief, dance along her to "Get Jiggy" highlight. But if you’re going to watch the “Cactus Barry” saga, just make sure you have some tissues handy.
WATCH: Try not to smile as Florence Pugh makes Tzatziki (Article continues after video)
Who is she dating?
Florence has been dating 46-year-old Scrubs star Zach Braff for two years now. They began dating after Florence starred in Zach’s 2018 short film called In The Time It Takes To Get There. Last year, during the height of the COVID pandemic, the couple cemented their serious status by adopting a dog called Billie.
Since Flo and Zach started dating, there has been a lot of discussion about their 21-year age difference, prompting the 25-year-old to address the commentary.
"I think it bugs people that it's not who they expected," Florence told the Sunday Times earlier this month. "But it's my life and I'm not doing anything to please people or to make it a better headline or story. I want to also be a person!"
Florence also spoke directly to her followers about her love life in April 2020, after her birthday tribute to Zach resulted in a lot of backlash.
"I'm 24 years old," she began a 4-minute Instagram video. "I have been working since I was 17 years old. I have been earning money since I was 17 years old. I became an adult when I was 18 years old, and I started paying taxes when I was 18 years old. I'll underline this fact: I am 24 years old.
"I do not need you to tell me who I should and should not love, and I would never in my life ever, ever tell anyone who they can and cannot love. It is not your place, and really it has nothing to do with you."
What’s in store for Florence?
If you thought Florence’s role in Black Widow had consumed your TikTok feed, just you wait until her role in Don’t Worry Darling alongside the “resident white boy of every month” (TikTok’s words, not ours), Harry Styles, hits theatres.
Directed by Harry’s beau Olivia Wilde, Don’t Worry Darling is an American Psychological thriller set in the 1950s. Florence plays the role of Alice, the wife of Jack (played by Harry) who questions her sanity when strange things start happening in her town.
While there is no official date, it’s rumoured to be released some time in 2022. Though, with Olivia and Harry’s recent "hot girl summer" in Italy (also TikTok’s words), we’re not sure the film is their number one priority right now. Enjoy your hot girl summer Holivia!
Regardless, considering how much hype is already surrounding this film, we’re sure its release will elevate the Florence love even more. And we’re so ready.
Florence for the female gaze
As always happens when a cult following turns into a mainstream craze, there are some Florence fans who aren’t too happy with a particular type of recognition the actress is now getting… or rather, who is doing that recognition.
And… they kind of have a point.
Basically, there have been many TikToks of men talking about how “hot” Florence is in the new Black Widow movie. And women are simply not having it.
Referencing the problematic commentary, users have pointed out that Florence should be “for the girls and gays” only or “only for the female gaze”. And while some have attributed this dialogue to gatekeeping, others have suggested that they are simply trying to avoid similar sexualisation of Florence that Scarlett Johansson has endured over the years while playing Black Widow.
And yeah, honestly, we think that’s fair enough.
So until certain straight men can stop objectifying and sexualising Flo, she’s officially for the girls and the gays only.
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