Evanna Lynch: From Harry Potter's Luna to battling anorexia and advocating veganism

Harry Potter: Wizards of Baking is the latest addition to the magical franchise, and the competition series is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The baking programme is hosted by James and Oliver Phelps, who played the Weasley brothers in the film series.

Throughout the show, the bakers get the chance to meet various Harry Potter cast members, including Evanna Lynch, who portrayed Luna Lovegood, as she shares cherished memories from her time on set. Born in County Louth, Ireland, the 33 year old actress became a fan of the Harry Potter books at the age of eight.

She has two elder sisters and a younger brother. Her uncle, Declan Kiberd, is a renowned writer and scholar of Irish literature.

Another uncle, Damien Kiberd, is an Irish journalist and commentator, and was one of the four founders of The Sunday Business Post. More recently, he has worked as a presenter of news-discussion programmes on Newstalk and 4fm.

Evanna attended Our Lady's College in Drogheda, where her father served as the deputy principal, reports the Express. While filming for Harry Potter, she received tutoring for at least three hours daily to maintain her studies, reports the Manchester Evening News.

At just 11 years old, she developed an eating disorder and was hospitalised multiple times due to anorexia. She wrote to J K Rowling, the author of Harry Potter, expressing that the books were the only thing that could divert her attention from her condition.

Evanna Lynch, famed for her portrayal of Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter films, shared on Dancing With the Stars her moving story of how J. K.

Rowling's support was a beacon during her darkest times: "I started writing to JK Rowling and she wrote back and we became pen friends after that," adding, "I was in and out of hospital and I would be getting these letters."

She credits Rowling's books and warmth for giving her the will to live again: "her books and her kindness really made me want to live again". Back when the fifth book in the series, Order of the Phoenix, was released in June 2003, Lynch was hospitalised.

However, through her family's coordination with the book's publisher and the hospital, she didn't miss out on obtaining a signed edition. In January 2006, at just 14 years old, Evanna clinched the role of Luna Lovegood after showing up at an open audition.

Lynch has a definitive stance on valuing artistry over bodily perfection: "I love the feeling of creating and acting more than I love the feeling of being skinny or of being perfect," and acknowledges the profound impact her Harry Potter experience had on her self-worth: "Being in Harry Potter changed my life because it proved to me that I could do something, that I had something to offer the world."

Beyond her career in acting, Evanna is also a vocal advocate for veganism and a podcast host for The ChickPeeps alongside Robbie Jarvis, an ex-boyfriend. They unveiled their relationship publicly in 2015 but parted ways amicably in 2016.

She later had a relationship with singer-songwriter AnDel in 2017, but they have since parted ways. As of 2021, there has been speculation about her dating a Frenchman she met in London.

In addition to this, Evanna hosts her own podcast, Just Beings, which promotes positive and compassionate thinking.