You’ve seen the photos. They are everywhere. A grainy, high-contrast shot of Anya Taylor-Joy leaning against a brick wall in Soho or sitting on a park bench in Sydney. In one hand, a takeout coffee cup. In the other, a smoldering cigarette. She looks like she stepped out of a 1960s French New Wave film, but the reality is just a modern actress catching five minutes of peace between takes.
It’s weirdly polarizing.
People are fascinated by Anya Taylor-Joy smoking, and not always for the reasons you’d think. In an era of green juices, Pilates sets, and "clean girl" aesthetics, seeing one of Hollywood’s biggest stars openly embrace a habit that feels like a throwback to the "Indie Sleaze" era is jarring. It’s a vibe. It’s a health concern. It’s a PR nightmare or a masterclass in branding, depending on who you ask on Reddit.
The Queen’s Gambit and the "Cigarette Diet"
Let’s be real: Anya has been pretty candid about how she fuels her intense work schedule. Back in 2021, she told Tatler something that went viral instantly. She admitted that while filming The Queen’s Gambit, Emma, and Last Night in Soho back-to-back, her diet was basically "Diet Coke, cigarettes, and coffee."
She eventually joked that she reached a point where she thought, "I need to eat a vegetable."
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That’s a heavy schedule. We’re talking about a woman who rarely had more than a few days off between massive, career-defining roles. When you’re playing Beth Harmon—a character whose own life is fueled by substances and obsession—the lines between the actor’s reality and the character’s world can get blurry. For Anya, the cigarette seemed to be a tool for survival during those 14-hour days on set.
Why is Anya Taylor-Joy smoking such a big deal online?
There is this specific subculture on platforms like Pinterest and Instagram that treats Anya Taylor-Joy smoking like a high-fashion editorial. You’ll see comments calling her "the last of the cool smokers" or "the Pinterest cigarette girl."
But why?
- The Aesthetic Contrast: She has this ethereal, almost alien-like beauty. Seeing that paired with the "grittiness" of a Marlboro Gold (her rumored brand of choice) creates a visual tension that photographers love.
- The Anti-Wellness Trend: Gen Z is starting to push back against the hyper-polished, "perfect" lifestyle influencers. There’s a certain rebellious "I don’t care" energy that comes with a celebrity who doesn’t hide their vices.
- The Method Acting Connection: Many of her characters—from Peaky Blinders to The Menu—smoke on screen. Fans often struggle to separate the performer from the person.
Honestly, it’s not all praise. Many fans are genuinely worried. They see the "Diet Coke and cigarettes" quote and worry about burnout. They worry about her skin. They worry about her lungs. It’s a strange paradox where the public wants stars to be "real" but then gets uncomfortable when that reality includes a pack-a-day habit.
The Paparazzi "Staging" Theory
There is a theory floating around that these shots aren't as accidental as they look. Some critics, like writer Brock Colyar, have suggested that the "curbside cig" is a conscious decision. The idea is that these photos help maintain her "edgy" image.
Is it staged? Maybe. Maybe not.
But if you’re being followed by 20 photographers, you know they’re going to catch the cigarette. If she wanted to hide it, she could. The fact that she doesn't suggests she’s either completely over the "perfect role model" trope or she simply doesn't find it shameful. In 2024, she mentioned in an interview with Virgin Radio that she had to smoke "herbal cigarettes" for certain roles, which she described as smelling like "burning poo."
Real cigarettes, she implies, are the "lesser" of two evils when it comes to the sensory experience of filming.
The Health Reality and the Industry
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Smoking kills. It’s not "aesthetic" when you’re looking at the long-term data. The CDC is very clear: cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable disease.
In Hollywood, smoking used to be the default. Now, it’s a rarity. When a star like Anya Taylor-Joy or Jenna Ortega is spotted with a cigarette, it triggers a massive wave of discourse because we aren't used to seeing it anymore. We’ve been conditioned to see celebrities as the pinnacle of health.
- Skin Aging: Nicotine constricts blood vessels, which leads to "smoker's face"—fine lines around the mouth and a dull complexion.
- Voice Changes: For an actor, the vocal cords are an instrument. Persistent smoking can rasp the voice over time.
- Public Perception: In 2026, the "cool factor" of smoking is shrinking as vaping and nicotine pouches take over. Anya is one of the few holding onto the traditional "stick."
What’s the takeaway?
Anya Taylor-Joy is an adult. She makes her own choices. Whether it's a coping mechanism for a grueling Hollywood schedule or just a personal preference, it's part of her public persona now.
If you’re a fan, you’ve basically got two options. You can appreciate the "cool girl" aesthetic while acknowledging it’s a bad habit, or you can separate the art from the person. She’s an incredible actress—one of the best of her generation—and her talent isn't tied to what she does on her lunch break.
If you are looking to kick a habit yourself, don't look to Hollywood for your health cues. The "Diet Coke and cigarette" diet is a recipe for burnout, not a sustainable lifestyle.
Actionable Insights for the Curious:
- Separate the Aesthetic from Reality: A photo can look "cool" while the habit itself is objectively harmful. Don't confuse the two.
- Check Your Sources: Most "facts" about celebrity diets are snippets from years-old interviews. Anya’s habits might have changed since the Queen's Gambit era.
- Focus on the Art: Anya Taylor-Joy’s career is defined by her range, not her lighter. If the smoking discourse bothers you, dive back into her filmography—The Northman or Furiosa are great places to start.
Ultimately, the obsession with Anya Taylor-Joy smoking says more about our culture's fixation on "perfect" celebrities than it does about the actress herself. We want them to be icons, but we also want them to be flawless. Sometimes, those two things just don't go together.