Vardalos’ transformation from an unknown to a Hollywood star is even more impressive than the brilliance of her character in the movie. Her story is a tale of perseverance with a touch of creativity and an overarching theme of “If you want it done right, do it yourself.” After failing to get a movie role, she wrote her own. When she struggled with infertility, she turned to herself. When health issues arose, Vardalos made significant changes in her life. In short, nothing stopped this Greek goddess once she decided to do something.
The Greek Life of Nia Vardalos
As they say, to be a successful writer, you have to write what you know, and that’s precisely what Antonia Eugenia “Nia” Vardalos did by writing the story that became “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” As the daughter of Greek immigrants, Vardalos was born on September 24, 1962, in Manitoba, Canada. She, her three brothers, and her sister grew up in Canada, but they kept the traditions of their Greek heritage.
As Vardalos told the publication, she didn’t feel like she fit in with her classmates as a child. That feeling didn’t leave her as she got older, but she eventually learned to embrace what made her who she was and follow her dreams – largely thanks to her family.
Nia Vardalos fell in love with the stage.
As humor became the centerpiece of Sunday family dinner, Nia Vardalos fell in love with comedy. After graduating high school, she moved to Toronto to study acting at Ryerson University.
Bruised but not broken, Vardalos followed in the footsteps of one of her comedy idols and enrolled at Second City in Toronto, an improv workshop where Radner began her career.
Nia Vardalos’ Real Greek Wedding.
In a wedding that inspired a movie franchise, Nia Vardalos married Ian Gomez in 1993 after meeting him in Chicago’s Second City. They subsequently moved to Los Angeles, hoping to succeed in show business. Professionally, they have been successful both individually and as a couple.
As usual, life does not always imitate art, and their marriage was not as successful as in the movie “My Big Greek Wedding.” The couple had problems that even Windex couldn’t solve: Vardalos filed for divorce in 2018 after nearly 25 years of marriage, citing “irreconcilable differences.” The couple has a daughter, Hilaria.
Nia Vardalos faced many obstacles in Hollywood.
Moving to Los Angeles in 1993, Nia Vardalos was full of optimism. However, she soon discovered that Hollywood has its “types,” and she was not one of them.
Sure, Vardalos managed to get a few voiceover jobs and cameo roles in movies and sitcoms, but it wasn’t enough. Taking matters into her own hands, she began writing a screenplay based on the antics of her rowdy Greek family. Years later, what one agent thought was a stroke for the simpering brunette turned into a Hollywood success, earning Vardalos an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
In the movie Nia Vardalos, many scenes are taken from real life.
In 2002, the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” was released, and it did not take long to captivate audiences and critics.
While the Portokalos family may be fictional, it certainly has its roots in reality.
Nia Vardalos’ struggle with infertility.
Nia Vardalos’ professional life may have looked great in 2002, but on a personal level, she was on the road to infertility. The action of My Big Greek Wedding ends with Vardalos’ character realizing that she is pregnant, but the actor is not so lucky in real life. As a result, Vardalos went through more than a dozen stages of IVF and several surrogacy attempts, but none were successful. The traumas she experienced forced her to put work on the long-awaited sequel to the movie on hold.
Circumstances changed in 2008 when, while filming “Aphrodite’s Driver” in Athens, Vardalos learned that she had been chosen to adopt a three-year-old girl. After that fateful phone call, Ilaria became a member of her family.
In addition, in 2013. Vardalos released her book, Instant Mom, describing her journey to motherhood.
Nia Vardalos lost 40 pounds for health reasons.
Since Hollywood has long promoted thinness and a particular “look,” Nia Vardalos began to embrace her curves when she moved to the City of Angels.
A few years later, Vardalos’ doctor recommended she lose weight for her health. ” Have I become beautiful because I’m thin? “I stayed the same,” she said. To achieve her goals, Vardalos didn’t enlist the help of an army of personal trainers and chefs. She did it on her own, the old-fashioned way, by cutting calories and moving her body.
The artist lost 40 kilograms, but Vardalos does not care about the number on the scale. The main thing is to feel good.
Nia Vardalos is back for round three.
Nia Vardalos’ life has taken many twists and turns over the years, but her perseverance remains the same. And after decades of her career, she continues to wear new hats: In addition to writing and starring in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, Vardalos also serves as director – a first for the franchise.
Additionally, Vardalos holds the title of mom to Ilaria, who is all grown up and has a good relationship with her ex, Ian Gomez.