Emily Blunt continues to grapple with her stutter, describing it as an "imposter" residing within her.
The 'Mary Poppins Returns' star, who has dealt with a speech impediment since childhood, acknowledges the ongoing challenge of preventing words from getting "stuck," especially in nerve-wracking or high-pressure situations. Speaking at Variety's Power of Women gala in Los Angeles, Blunt revealed the difficulties she faces, particularly with certain words and in challenging environments.
She compared a stutter to an unwelcome intruder in one's body, one that doesn't pay rent and distorts the true essence of the person. Despite her success, the 40-year-old actress emphasized that a stutter remains a part of her life, affecting her communication in specific circumstances. Blunt was honored at the gala with Wells Fargo’s Power of Women Alumni Award for her advocacy and work with children at the American Institute for Stuttering.
Expressing gratitude for shedding light on stuttering, Blunt highlighted the prevalent misconceptions surrounding the condition, urging people to refrain from assuming it is merely a result of nervousness or a psychological issue. With approximately 80 million people worldwide affected, she emphasized the neurological and biological aspects of stuttering, often being hereditary and not the individual's fault.
After 17 years of involvement with the institute, Blunt called for increased understanding and patience when interacting with individuals facing communication difficulties. She encouraged empathy, emphasizing that each word spoken by someone with a stutter requires effort and courage. Blunt urged others to be patient, avoid interrupting, and recognize the neurological nature of stuttering, urging people not to finish sentences for those experiencing this challenge.
