Yrsa Daley-Ward facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yrsa Daley-Ward
Yrsa Daley Ward in 2024
Born	1989 (age 35–36) Chorley, Lancashire, England
Occupation	Writer, model and actor
Notable work	Bone (2014) The Terrible (2018)
Awards	2019 PEN/Ackerley Prize

Yrsa Daley-Ward, born in 1989, is a talented writer, model, and actor from England. She is famous for her first book, Bone. Yrsa is also known for her spoken-word poetry and for sharing her poems on Instagram.

Her memoir, The Terrible, came out in 2018. It won the PEN/Ackerley Prize in 2019. Yrsa also helped write Black Is King, a musical film by Beyoncé. This film goes along with Beyoncé's 2019 album, The Lion King: The Gift.

About Yrsa Daley-Ward

Yrsa Daley-Ward was born in Chorley, Lancashire, England. Her mother is from Jamaica, and her father is from Nigeria. She grew up in Northern England with her grandparents. They were very religious Seventh-day Adventists.

Early Career as a Model

When Yrsa was in her late teens and early twenties, she worked as a model. She modeled for big brands like Apple, Topshop, Estée Lauder, and Nike.

Looking for more chances, she saved money to go to South Africa. She lived there for three years. Yrsa said she liked South Africa because the models there looked more like her. She found more different types of people there.

Becoming a Poet

In her mid-twenties, Yrsa started performing her poetry in Cape Town, South Africa. People began to notice her talent. She was also still working as a model at that time.

After returning to London in 2012, she was invited back to South Africa. She worked with the British Council. She was the main poet at two poetry festivals in Johannesburg.

Company Magazine then named Yrsa one of the top five female writers to watch.

Her Writing Style

Yrsa Daley-Ward writes poems and stories about important topics. These include identity, race, mental health, and being a woman. She often talks about depression, especially in her poem "Mental Health." This poem is in her book Bone.

Bone was first published by Yrsa herself in 2014. Later, Penguin Books published it in 2017. The new version had more poems and an introduction by Kiese Laymon. Hanif Abdurraqib from The Atlantic called Bone an "impressive debut." He said it shows a writer honestly exploring her life and working through challenges.

Before Bone, Yrsa released a book of short stories. It was called On Snakes and Other Stories and came out in 2013.

Connecting with Fans

Yrsa uses social media like Instagram and Twitter to share her work. She also connects with her fans there. She gave a TEDx Talk called Your Stories and You.

Yrsa once said, "If you're afraid to write it, that's a good sign." She believes you know you are writing the truth when it feels scary. In an interview with ELLE, she spoke openly about her past. She talked about learning to handle criticism better.

The Terrible and Other Works

In June 2018, Yrsa's new book, The Terrible, was published. It is a memoir about growing up. The Evening Standard called it "a rare combination of literary brilliance." They also praised its unique voice and exciting story. The Sunday Times reviewer said Yrsa is a "stylish writer" with an "unusual voice."

In the same month, Yrsa talked about her life on BBC Radio Four's Woman's Hour. She also read her poem "Poetry." In 2019, The Terrible won the PEN/Ackerley Prize.

Yrsa Daley-Ward also helped write Black Is King. This is a musical film and visual album by Beyoncé. It goes along with the 2019 album The Lion King: The Gift. She also contributed to the 2019 book New Daughters of Africa. This book was put together by Margaret Busby.

Yrsa's 2021 book is called The How – Notes on the Great Work of Meeting Yourself. It is a collection of essays, poems, and advice. It aims to help readers find their own voice.

Acting Roles

Yrsa Daley-Ward has also acted in several TV shows and films.

• World on Fire (2019-2023) as Connie Knight
• Outer Range (2021-2024) in Series 1 and 2
• Boxx (2016)
• White Colour Black (2016)
• A Moving Image (2016)
• Der Koch (2014)
• Death Race: Inferno (2013) [video]
• David is Dying (2011)

She also appeared in:

• Kidnap and Ransom (2012)
• Shameless (2009)
• Drop Dead Gorgeous (2007)