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Emily Blunt on how she overcame her childhood stutter: 'I got teased a lot'

Sharnaz Shahid
Deputy Online Editor
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She is one of Hollywood's most in-demand stars, but Emily Blunt's childhood was far from smooth sailing. The 33-year-old has opened up about her ordeal with bullies which stemmed from her stutter.

Emily - who is married to fellow actor John Krasinski - developed the speech impediment at the age of 10 resulting in her being the target of many cruel remarks.

"I think whatever you have to overcome in life ultimately paves the way (for who you become as an adult)," she told America's InStyle magazine. "I got teased a lot, and to this day, I hate unkindness in people and bullies."

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emily© Photo: PA

Emily Blunt has opened up about her childhood stutter

The British actress revealed that saying names was particularly difficult for her and even to this day, she will pause before she speaks when put on the spot.

"Names are always tricky because you can't substitute a different word and there's so much pressure attached to it," she continued to explain. "Even nowadays, when I'm tired or I feel put on the spot, I still sometimes struggle to get the words out.

"When I make a phone call - especially if I'm calling someone I don't know - I have to mentally prepare myself. There's always a big pause between when they ask 'Who's calling?' and when I say 'Emily Blunt.'"

emily 2z© Photo: PA

"I got teased a lot, and to this day, I hate unkindness in people and bullies," she explained 

Meanwhile, Emily has been busy over the past few weeks on the promotional trail for her latest thriller, The Girl on the Train, which comes just months after welcoming her second daughter Violet in June.

She will soon be preparing for another iconic role, playing Mary Poppins in the forthcoming sequel Mary Poppins Returns.

Emily and her husband John, who tied the knot in 2010, are also parents to two-year-old daughter Hazel.

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