Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably had a bit of a thing for Emilie de Ravin. She had this ethereal, almost otherworldly vibe that made her stand out in a sea of generic Hollywood starlets. Most people remember her as the pregnant girl from Lost or the girl who finally tamed Rumpelstiltskin in Once Upon a Time, but there’s so much more to her career than just being the "damsel in distress" with great hair.
She's an Australian powerhouse. People forget that.
👉 See also: Did Pete Davidson Date Kim Kardashian? What Really Happened With Kete
The Emilie de Ravin Hot Career Shift Nobody Saw Coming
The thing about Emilie is that she didn't just stumble into acting. She was a serious ballerina first. We’re talking the Australian Ballet School, which is no joke. You can see it in the way she carries herself—that poise doesn’t just happen by accident. But then, she just... quit?
At fifteen, she decided ballet wasn't the endgame and pivoted to acting at NIDA. A year later, she’s in LA. Within a month, she lands Roswell.
Talk about a glow-up.
From Tess Harding to Claire Littleton
When she joined Roswell as Tess Harding, fans kind of hated her. Not because she was bad—she was actually too good at being the "other woman" in the Max and Liz romance. She brought this icy, alien intensity that made her incredibly compelling to watch.
Then came Lost.
💡 You might also like: What Really Happened to Betty Pino: The Queen of Latin Radio
Claire Littleton was the heart of that island for a long time. While everyone else was busy pushing buttons or running from smoke monsters, Claire was just trying to survive being eight months pregnant in the jungle. It’s arguably one of the most iconic "survivor" roles in TV history. Fun fact: she actually auditioned for the role of Shannon originally! Imagine her as the spoiled rich girl instead of the sweet Aussie mom. It’s hard to even picture it now.
Why She’s Still Such a Fan Favorite in 2026
You might be wondering why we’re still talking about her today. Well, for starters, she’s incredibly grounded. Unlike some stars who go off the deep end, Emilie has always felt like someone you could actually grab a coffee with. She’s active on social media, shares real-life "mom moments," and doesn't pretend her life is a constant red carpet.
She's also super versatile.
- Brick (2005): She played a heroin addict in this neo-noir cult classic.
- The Hills Have Eyes: She proved she could handle the "final girl" energy in a brutal horror remake.
- Remember Me: Starring opposite Robert Pattinson at the height of his Twilight fame? That took guts, and she held her own.
The Once Upon a Time Effect
Then there’s Belle. For many, this is the definitive Emilie de Ravin role. She took a character everyone thought they knew and made her layered, stubborn, and deeply compassionate. The "Rumbelle" fandom is still one of the most dedicated groups on the internet. Seriously, go on Twitter or Tumblr—they haven't slowed down one bit.
💡 You might also like: Dee Dee Davis: What Most People Get Wrong About Baby Girl
It’s that "inner beauty" thing she radiates.
What’s She Doing Now?
Lately, Emilie has been leaning into projects that actually mean something to her. She moved back to Australia for a while to film True Colours, which was a huge shift from the big-budget Hollywood sets. She’s also starring in the 2025/2026 Hallmark project The Reluctant Royal as Prudence.
She’s basically at a point where she doesn't have to chase the "hot new thing" anymore. She is the established talent.
The Reality of Balancing Fame and Family
She’s been very open about the fact that her kids come first. In a world where actors are expected to be "on" 24/7, she took a step back to focus on being a mom to Vera and Theodore. It makes her more relatable. Fans love that she isn't just a face on a screen; she's a real person who deals with the same chaotic life stuff we all do.
Except she does it while looking like a literal princess.
Lessons from Emilie's Evolution
If you're looking for "actionable" takeaways from her career—weird as that sounds for a celeb profile—it’s all about the pivot. She wasn't afraid to leave ballet for acting. She wasn't afraid to leave a hit show like Lost for a season to do other things.
- Own your niche: She leaned into her Australian roots when most actors were trying to hide theirs.
- Don't fear the "villain" role: Her start as the antagonist on Roswell gave her the edge she needed for later, more complex roles.
- Prioritize what matters: Stepping away from the limelight to raise a family hasn't hurt her career; if anything, it’s made her return more anticipated.
Basically, Emilie de Ravin is the blueprint for how to have a long, healthy career in an industry that usually chews people up and spits them out. She stays focused, stays kind to her fans, and keeps picking roles that challenge her.
If you haven't seen her in Brick yet, go watch it tonight. It’s easily her best "under the radar" performance and shows a side of her that Lost fans might not recognize. Keeping up with her on Instagram is also a solid move if you want to see what she's filming next—she’s always working on something interesting.