Sophia Michaels
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Orlando Bloom is known for his iconic roles, such as the charming pirate and the enchanting elf, but how much do we truly understand about the man himself? Although fans get glimpses into his life as a celebrated actor, there remains a significant portion of his personal history that is seldom discussed. Recently, Bloom has prioritized family over his acting career, stepping back from the limelight. Yet, in interviews and public appearances with his fiancée, Katy Perry, we catch more insights into the life of this “Lord of the Rings” icon.
A touch of mystery often enhances a person’s allure, and Bloom is no exception. Unlike the very open Perry, the actor tends to keep certain aspects of his celebrity life private. He once shared with Big Issue about his struggle with fame, stating, “I got really good at hiding myself… it was really, painfully, trying to live without being just looked at the whole time.”
Despite his reserved nature, Bloom has shared some intriguing and lesser-known facts about his life and career. Below are a few insights on Orlando Bloom that you may not know.
A Childhood Diagnosis of Dyslexia
From a young age, Orlando Bloom faced challenges with reading and spelling, which led to his dyslexia diagnosis at seven. In a discussion with the Child Mind Institute, he admitted feeling embarrassed about it, despite his mother’s supportive approach. He remarked, “When my mother told me that I was dyslexic, it was both a gift and a bit of a cross to bear… I hid it from other kids as best I could.”
Bloom described dyslexia as a significant hurdle that often manifested in frustration and anger, especially related to his academics. Although he thrived in sports, he struggled with distractions, leading to self-doubt. He expressed, “[Dyslexia] makes you feel stupid; you just don’t feel smart… I was really struggling with spelling and writing, and it was holding me back.” However, he also acknowledged that his learning experiences gave him an edge in acting roles, as he became very thorough in his preparations. “The gift of dyslexia was that I learned everything forward and backward, inside out, so I was fully prepared,” he shared.
A Unique Job from His Past
Many might assume that Orlando Bloom’s stunning looks and wealth meant he never had to work before becoming an actor, but he did have an unconventional job in his younger years. Before fame, he worked in clay pigeon shooting, an activity popularized in parts of Europe, where participants target moving clay discs. Bloom explained, “I was a clay [pigeon] trapper… I always wanted to be the shooter.” Despite the job’s uniqueness, he later described it as his “worst job” to date, reflecting on his humble beginnings.
An Injury While Filming ‘The Lord of the Rings’
While Orlando Bloom’s portrayal of Legolas in the celebrated “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy brought him fame, it also came with a physical cost. Bloom shared that the demanding physicality of the role required immense exertion. He noted that performing the stunts and archery sequences while mounted often led to injuries, underscoring the physical challenges faced by actors in high-intensity roles.
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After a horse riding accident, Orlando Bloom shared his experience on Instagram, stating he broke a rib but chose to continue filming despite the pain. He reminded followers of his past struggles, including a serious back injury in 1998 that doctors believed would leave him unable to walk. “It was just part of the job,” he reflected, mentioning he returned to set the very next day following his medical check-up.
Orlando Bloom’s Journey into Buddhism
Orlando Bloom has been a devoted Buddhist for over thirty years. He discovered the religion at age 16 while preparing for exams, when a fellow artist was chanting for his success. Intrigued, Bloom soon began practicing Buddhism himself and eventually joined SGI-USA, a community of Nichiren Soka Gakkai Buddhists.
Bloom credits Buddhism for helping him cope with swift fame during his rise as Legolas in “The Lord of the Rings.” Living alone in London while becoming a celebrity could have been overwhelming, but his faith provided essential guidance and composure. “It enabled me to navigate those times in my life,” he remarked, highlighting how the practice fostered discipline amidst distractions.
In 2023, he reflected on his spiritual journey, sharing a moment from his Soka Gakkai International group on Instagram. “I became a Buddhist member of the @sgiusa & UK 19 years ago today!” he noted, expressing gratitude for the grounding influence of his practice.
Commitment to Health and Wellness
Bloom’s dedication to Buddhism complements his health and wellness regimen. He maintains a disciplined diet, steering clear of gluten and sweets, focusing instead on lean proteins and vegetables. “I try to eat a whole food diet as much as possible,” he explained, admitting he avoids sugar due to his addictive tendencies.
In addition to his dietary choices, Bloom incorporates apple cider vinegar into his routines for its purported benefits on weight and concentration. As for fitness, he emphasizes a balanced approach, favoring activities like walking and cycling while focusing on long-term health and vitality rather than heavy lifting.
Advocacy for Children’s Rights
Orlando Bloom is not just an accomplished actor but also a passionate advocate for children’s welfare. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2009, he has been actively involved in initiatives aimed at providing equal opportunities and safeguarding children’s rights in numerous countries.
Since his involvement in 2007, Bloom has traveled internationally to regions facing challenges such as poverty and conflict, demonstrating his commitment to making a difference. He has helped launch several programs, including UNICEF’s Child Alert on Severe Wasting initiative, continuously striving to raise awareness about children’s issues globally.
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Various nations possess the ability to provide assistance in combating malnutrition and inflation, which increasingly limits children’s access to essential food.
Orlando Bloom participated in UNICEF’s 75th-anniversary celebration in 2021, alongside his partner and fellow Goodwill Ambassador, Katy Perry. He expressed appreciation for the organization, stating, “I feel incredibly privileged to work with UNICEF.” He has had over a decade of experience visiting some of the most challenging locations and witnessing firsthand how UNICEF positively impacts communities and improves lives.
Reported Fear of Swine
Orlando Bloom often comes across as bold, especially in light of his daring performances in the 2024 series, “Orlando Bloom: To the Edge.” He’s seen doing incredible feats like free-diving and cliff parachuting. Surprisingly, he has certain reported fears.
There are claims that Bloom has a specific phobia known as “swinophobia,” which is the fear of pigs. This speculation arose from a chaotic incident while filming “Kingdom of Heaven” in 2005, where he reportedly ran away in fear when a pig escaped on set. After previously injuring himself, he was likely apprehensive about another potentially dangerous situation with wildlife.
Survived Life-Threatening Experiences
Orlando Bloom faced a close brush with death during a skydiving mishap while filming “Orlando Bloom: To the Edge.” He experienced a malfunction with his parachute that almost led to a fatal landing.
On “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” he recounted the terrifying moment when he discovered that his parachute did not deploy. He had to rely on his training, cutting one parachute free to ensure a safe descent.
This adventurous series showcased Bloom engaging in various extreme activities, but it wasn’t his first near-fatal incident. At the age of 19, he sustained a severe back injury from a three-story fall, which left doctors doubting if he would ever walk again. Remarkably, he recovered within weeks, reflecting on how such challenges shifted his perspective on life.
Unaware of Katy Perry’s Fame
Katy Perry and Orlando Bloom did not start their relationship amidst a whirlwind of fame, despite Perry being a prominent figure in the entertainment industry. During his appearance on Trevor Noah’s “What Now?” podcast, Bloom admitted that it was not her celebrity status that initially drew him to her.
While her hits were popular, he stated he wasn’t consciously aware of her music and instead fell for the person behind the public persona. They first met at a Golden Globes party in early 2016, later becoming Instagram official and eventually welcoming their daughter, Daisy, in 2020, after briefly separating.
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