Most children ask for toys at age three; young Keira requested representation.

One bookish summer vacation later, she was already landing roles onscreen.

But growing up wasn’t always easy for the young starlet.

Keira Knightley holding a microphone in a black dress

They didn’t figure it out for quite a while."

She didn’t let this setback stop her, though.

She was almost our highest-achieving student."

Keira Knightley smiling while wearing sunglasses and a black dress

In the UK, GCSEs are national exams typically taken at age 16.