Emilia Clarke, globally recognized for her powerful turn as Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, in the HBO phenomenon Game of Thrones, has proven her versatility by charming millions with an “incredibly nerve-racking” singing performance in the 2019 romantic comedy, Last Christmas.
In the film, directed by Paul Feig, Clarke takes on the lead role of Kate, a directionless young woman working a holiday job as an elf. The movie, which draws inspiration from the timeless music catalog of George Michael and Wham!, features a standout scene where Kate performs a genuine, heartfelt rendition of the iconic 1984 Christmas classic, “Last Christmas.”
Data and The Heart-Melting Performance
Despite her massive success in action and fantasy, Clarke humorously confessed to various media outlets like Entertainment Tonight and NPR, “I don’t do my own stunts but I do do my own singing,” highlighting the raw courage it took to perform live on camera.
This authenticity resonated deeply with audiences. The pivotal performance scene has amassed over six million views on YouTube, drawing glowing praise from viewers who called the film “One of the best all-time Christmas movies.” The high-stakes singing moment, which requires no vocal overdubs, showcases Clarke’s sweet, natural voice and stage presence.
A Nod to George Michael’s Timeless Hit
The film’s entire premise is woven around the music of George Michael. The original Wham! song, “Last Christmas,” was released in December 1984. While it originally peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart in 1984—famously being beaten to the Christmas No. 1 spot by Band Aid’s charity single “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”—the song has cemented its status as a holiday staple. Data shows its enduring popularity; for example, it has hit the No. 1 spot on the UK chart multiple times in recent years, proving its massive, continuing commercial influence.
Clarke’s commitment to live vocal performance is not her first musical venture. She previously displayed her singing chops in a humorous reggae parody for Game of Thrones: The Musical, organized by the group Coldplay for the Red Nose Day charity event. Her lighthearted performance and memorable lyrics further demonstrated her range beyond her role as Daenerys.
The success of Emilia Clarke‘s unvarnished performance in Last Christmas ensures the film’s place as a modern holiday favorite, where emotional depth meets classic festive cheer.