Shameless star Emmy Rossum is one of the most versatile actresses in the entertainment industry.
While it’s more common for actors to be typecast into roles as one trick ponies, the 38-year-old celeb has played everything from an opera singing ingenue to the gritty guardian of the Gallagher family on the south side of Chicago.
She got her big break in 2004, while playing Christine Dae alongside Gerard Butler in “The Phantom of The Opera.” At the time, Rossum was a no name actress, competing for the role against the likes of Anne Hathaway and Katie Holmes. Yet despite her lack of film experience, creator Andrew Loyed Weber was vouching for Rossum since he believed she was born for the role.
Emmy Rossum Was Extremely Insecure In Phantom of The Opera
Even though Emmy Rossum has long since been praised for her performance in the movie version of Phantom, the actress opened up about how insecure she was over the role. During an Instagram Q&A, the New York native got real with fans about her impostor syndrome on set. “Honestly never felt less sure of myself in every imaginable way,” she revealed about her experience. “I questioned my ability, my appearance, my right to be there.”
But the insecurities were all in her head, because Rossum would go on to become the youngest Golden Globe nominee of all time for her role as Christine Dae.
Emmy Rossum’s Rocky Experience as Fiona Gallagher on Shameless
Yet despite her acclaim for the role, it was no walk in the park for Rossum to land additional acting gigs in the industry. Although she would go on to snag the leading role of Showtime’s hit series Shameless, it took some hard work for her to get the part. According to reports the creator of Shameless, Jon Wells, initially had doubts about casting Rossum, since she allegedly had a reputation for being demanding on the set of Phantom. It’s important to keep in mind that Rossum was only a teenager when she starred in her breakout film, so perhaps it was unfair to judge her at the time for alleged “diva” behavior.
Fortunately, Rossum convinced Wells that she’d be perfect for the lead role as Fiona Gallagher, and it’s fair to say she gave her greatest performance yet in that role. But the actress shocked fans when she announced that she’d be leaving the show mid-way through to pursue different projects.
At the time, Emmy Rossum said in a heartfelt Facebook post, “The opportunity to play Fiona has been a gift. There are few characters – female or otherwise – as layered and dynamic. She is a mother lion, fierce, flawed and sexually liberated. She is injured, vulnerable, but will never give up. She is living in an economic depression but refuses to be depressed. She is resourceful. She is loyal. She is brave. I knew it the second I read the pilot script, this was different, this was special.”
Rossum continued, adding, “I know you will continue on without me, for now. There is much more Gallagher story to be told. I will always be rooting for my family. Try not to think of me as gone, just think of me as moving down the block.”
The ‘Shameless’ Star Was Accused of Rude Behavior On Set By Co-Star Emma Kenney
At the time, it was widely reported that failed contract negotiations led to Rossum’s departure due to unjust pay. While this is the documented report for the actress leaving the show, her co-star Emma Kenney (Debbie Gallagher) said once Rossum left, it was an all-around more positive experience on set. Kenney said of her on-screen sister while appearing on Call Her Daddy, “Maybe she was struggling with her own inner problems and taking it out on other people.”
Despite the actress allegedly being difficult to work with, she’s continued to dazzle audiences worldwide with her on-screen performances.
Which projects from Emmy Rossum are you most excited to see next?
