Ever wondered which of your favourite stars secretly switch languages with ease? You might be surprised to learn about some Famous People You Didn’t Know Were Bilingual. From Oscar winners who surprise fans with flawless interviews in French to footballers who give press conferences in five different tongues, these bilingual and trilingual celebrities prove that language skills are more than just a hidden talent.
In this article, you’ll discover not only who speaks what but also how they learnt, through childhood immersion, relocation, demanding roles, or media coaching on international tours. Along the way, we’ll show you verified proof clips so you can see (and hear) their skills.
Why Multilingualism Matters in Public Careers
In the spotlight, language skills can be just as valuable as talent or strategy. Whether on stage, on screen, on the field, or in government, multilingualism enables public figures to connect with broader audiences, expand their opportunities, and establish lasting influence across cultures. It’s not just about speaking.
Casting, global box office and press tours (actors)
For actors, speaking multiple languages isn’t just a personal talent. It’s a professional advantage. Casting directors often seek performers who can deliver lines authentically in a foreign language.
Beyond the set, multilingual actors shine in global press tours, interviews, and film festivals. Being able to connect directly with international audiences boosts both their credibility and the film’s box office potential, which is obviously one of the main elements that improves hirability for actors.
International fan growth and co-writes (musicians)
Musicians who are bilingual or trilingual can connect with fans across borders in a more personal way. Singing or speaking in another language opens doors to new markets, from Latin America to Asia, and makes collaborations with international artists feel seamless.
Many chart-topping hits are born from co-writes across languages, proving that multilingualism can be the key to global fan growth and musical innovation. This also means that you can be someone who ventures into multiple markets without needing to collaborate with other artists.
Post-match media & leadership (athletes, coaches)
For athletes and coaches, multilingualism extends their influence far beyond the playing field. Giving interviews in more than one language earns instant respect from the international press and fans.
In the locker room, being able to speak with teammates from diverse backgrounds builds trust and unity. Coaches, in particular, benefit, as leadership is often about effective communication. Multilingual leaders can inspire across cultures and keep teams cohesive.
Diplomacy & public trust (leaders/royals)
When leaders and royals address audiences in their native tongue, it fosters respect and goodwill. Multilingualism allows them to navigate diplomacy more effectively, strengthening ties with other nations.
At the same time, speaking multiple languages signals empathy and cultural awareness, which builds trust with diverse communities at home. Whether it’s a royal speech or a political summit, language can be as powerful as policy.
The Profiles: Proof-Led Mini Bios
Actors & Filmmakers
Sandra Bullock (English, German) — Famous for: The Blind Side, Gravity.
Bullock spent much of her childhood in Germany with her opera-singer mother, which gave her fluency in German before she returned to the U.S. She’s impressed fans by switching seamlessly into German during interviews and public appearances.
Proof: See her speaking fluent German in Vogue.
Try it: Practice five daily routines in your target language. Small, consistent immersion like Sandra’s upbringing builds fluency that lasts.
Natalie Portman (English, Hebrew; others conversational) — Famous for: Black Swan, Star Wars.
Born in Israel, Portman grew up speaking Hebrew and English. She’s shared slang and cultural references in interviews, highlighting how bilingualism shaped her identity. She’s also conversational in French, German, and Japanese.
Proof: Watch her Hebrew slang video.
Try it: Make a mini “slang diary” in your new language. Portman’s comfort shows that informal speech is key to sounding natural.
Viggo Mortensen (English, Spanish, Danish; conversational French/Italian) — Famous for: The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Raised between Argentina, Denmark, and the U.S., Mortensen speaks Spanish as naturally as English and has conducted interviews in multiple languages. His multicultural upbringing shaped his artistry.
Proof: See his multilingual interview with WIRED.
Try it: Role-play interviews in your target language—pretend you’re answering journalist questions, like Viggo often does.
Bradley Cooper (English, French) — Famous for: A Star Is Born, The Hangover.
Cooper learned French while studying in Aix-en-Provence and regularly surprises audiences by giving fluent interviews on red carpets. His bilingual skills have strengthened his international appeal.
Proof: Watch his Paris interview in French.
Try it: Revisit lessons abroad—pick a past city you lived in (or want to) and learn survival phrases, just like Cooper did in Provence.
Charlize Theron (English, Afrikaans) — Famous for: Monster, Mad Max: Fury Road.
Theron grew up in South Africa speaking Afrikaans as her first language before switching primarily to English. She has shared anecdotes about thinking and dreaming in Afrikaans to this day.
Proof: Talks about Afrikaans in interviews.
Try it: Keep a dream journal in your second language—like Theron, you’ll start noticing how language shapes thought.
Lupita Nyong’o (English, Spanish, Swahili, Luo) — Famous for: Black Panther.
Born in Mexico to Kenyan parents, Lupita grew up speaking Spanish before moving to Kenya, where she added Swahili and Luo. She regularly showcases her Spanish in films and interviews.
Proof: Watch her Spanish performance in Wakanda Forever.
Try it: Rehearse film lines or quotes in your target language—it builds confidence and flow, just like Lupita’s screen roles.
Musicians
Shakira (Spanish, English, Portuguese; Catalan/Italian in performances). Famous for: “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Waka Waka.”
Born in Colombia, Shakira grew up speaking Spanish and later mastered English to reach a global audience.
Over the years, she’s added Portuguese, Catalan, and Italian into her performances, making her one of the most linguistically versatile pop stars. Her multilingual interviews and songs showcase her ability to connect deeply with fans around the world.
Proof: Watch her multilingual performances and interviews.
Try it: Learn the chorus of your favourite song in your target language. Music makes memorisation natural, just like Shakira’s stagecraft.
Dua Lipa (Albanian, English) — Famous for: “Levitating,” Future Nostalgia.
Raised in London by Kosovar Albanian parents, Dua Lipa grew up bilingual and later earned Albanian citizenship.
She frequently uses Albanian in interviews and public appearances, emphasising her pride in her roots while balancing her international career. Her code-switching demonstrates how cultural identity and career can reinforce each other.
Proof: See her speaking Albanian in interviews.
Try it: Use your heritage or family language in casual chats, even small daily switches help maintain fluency, as Dua proves.
RM (Korean, English) — Famous for: Leader of BTS
RM (Kim Nam-joon) taught himself English largely by watching the sitcom Friends. Today, he’s recognised for addressing global audiences fluently, including his UN speech that inspired millions.
His bilingualism has been central to BTS’s international breakthrough, making him a model for learners everywhere.
Proof: Read his UNICEF speech in English.
Try it: Shadow short clips of your favourite show, like RM, mimic rhythm and tone to build natural fluency.
Rosalía (Catalan, Spanish, English) — Famous for: El Mal Querer, “Despechá.”
Born and raised in Catalonia, Rosalía performs seamlessly in both Catalan and Spanish, with growing use of English in collaborations.
Her hit “Milionària,” sung entirely in Catalan, was celebrated for spotlighting her regional language on the global stage. Interviews in English and Spanish show her ease across cultures.
Proof: Coverage in Pitchfork, Vogue, and Wikipedia.
Try it: Create playlists in multiple languages, like Rosalía, and blend them to strengthen listening and code-switching skills.
Athletes
Kobe Bryant (English, Italian) — Famous for: NBA legend, Los Angeles Lakers.
Bryant spent much of his childhood in Italy while his father played professional basketball there.
He became fluent in Italian and often used it in interviews, charming European fans and showing how deeply sport and culture can overlap. His language skills helped him connect with teammates and supporters beyond the U.S.
Proof: Watch his interviews in Italian.
Try it: Learn sports phrases in your target language. Whether it’s basketball or football, context-based vocab makes practice memorable.
Novak Djokovic (Serbian, English; Italian widely used) — Famous for: Tennis Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic regularly addresses the media in Serbian, English, and Italian, especially when playing tournaments in Rome or speaking with Italian journalists.
His ability to adapt his message to each audience has strengthened his global appeal and earned admiration for his cultural awareness.
Proof: See him answering questions in Italian.
Try it: Practice short Q&A drills in your target language, like Djokovic, focusing on clear, polite responses under pressure.
Romelu Lukaku (8+ European languages) — Famous for: Belgian footballer, Inter Milan.
Lukaku is one of the world’s most multilingual athletes, speaking English, French, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, and Lingala. His fluency in so many languages allows him to give interviews worldwide and bond with teammates from different backgrounds.
Proof: Watch his multilingual interview compilations.
Try it: Learn a few “team phrases” in multiple languages, basic greetings, and encouragements make cross-cultural communication smoother.
Pep Guardiola (Catalan, Spanish, English, German, Italian) — Famous for: Manager of Manchester City.
Guardiola has coached across Europe, leading press conferences and team talks in Catalan, Spanish, English, German, and Italian. His mastery of languages shows how communication builds leadership and trust in international squads.
Proof: See his press conferences in multiple languages.
Try it: Do a “press conference drill”, summarize your day in your target language as if reporters were asking questions.
Pep Guardiola (Catalan, Spanish, English, German, Italian) — Famous for: Manager of Manchester City.
Guardiola has coached across Europe, leading press conferences and team talks in Catalan, Spanish, English, German, and Italian.
His mastery of languages shows how communication builds leadership and trust in international squads.
Proof: See his press conferences in multiple languages.
Try it: Do a “press conference drill”. summarise your day in your target language as if reporters were asking questions.
Politicians & Royals
Queen Elizabeth II (English, French) — Famous for: Longest-serving British monarch.
While English was her native language, Queen Elizabeth II also spoke French fluently, a skill she often used during state visits and diplomatic meetings. For decades, she addressed French leaders, hosted events without interpreters, and demonstrated cultural respect through her ability to converse naturally. Her bilingualism reinforced her image as a global monarch who valued diplomacy and connection.
Proof: Watch her delivering speeches in French.
Try it: Prepare a short speech or toast in your target language, like the Queen, focus on clarity and respect rather than perfection.
Justin Trudeau (English, French) — Famous for: Prime Minister of Canada.
Trudeau switches easily between English and French at town halls and press conferences, reflecting Canada’s bilingual identity. His ability to code-switch builds trust and reinforces Canada’s cultural duality.
Proof: Watch the Global News coverage.
Try it: Practice giving the same short answer in two languages. It sharpens recall and shows empathy, just like Trudeau.
Pope Francis (Spanish, Italian; situational English/Portuguese) — Famous for: Head of the Catholic Church.
Born in Argentina, Pope Francis speaks Spanish and Italian fluently, often using both during papal audiences. He occasionally addresses crowds in English or Portuguese, tailoring his message to the faithful.
Proof: Coverage from Reuters.
Try it: Alternate journaling, write prayers, affirmations, or reflections in two languages, mirroring Francis’s bilingual approach.
Queen Máxima (Spanish, Dutch, English) — Famous for: Queen consort of the Netherlands.
Born in Argentina, Queen Máxima mastered Dutch after her marriage and now switches seamlessly between Spanish, Dutch, and English at public events. Her multilingualism strengthens her role as a modern royal.
Proof: See her multilingual appearances.
Try it: Set yourself a “family challenge”, learn your partner’s or in-law’s language, as Máxima did, to deepen connections.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Ukrainian, Russian, English) — Famous for: President of Ukraine.
Zelenskyy grew up bilingual in Ukrainian and Russian and has addressed global leaders in English, including a speech to the U.S. Congress. His multilingualism has amplified Ukraine’s voice on the world stage.
Proof: Transcript on president.gov.ua.
Try it: Record a 1-minute “address to the nation” in your target language. Clarity and courage matter more than perfection.
Entrepreneurs & Public Figures
Arnold Schwarzenegger (German, English) — Famous for: Bodybuilding, Hollywood, former Governor of California.
Schwarzenegger grew up in Austria speaking German and mastered English as he pursued bodybuilding and acting in the U.S. Today, he still switches between both languages in interviews, showing how his bilingualism helps him connect with audiences in Europe and America alike. His fluency reflects a lifelong commitment to maintaining his roots while building a global career.
Proof: See his German & English interviews.
Try it: Revisit your first language in casual chats—like Arnold, keep heritage alive while strengthening global communication.
Malala Yousafzai (Pashto, Urdu, English; some Arabic) — Famous for: Nobel Peace Prize laureate, education activist.
Born in Pakistan, Malala grew up speaking Pashto and Urdu at home and school. She later mastered English to share her story on the global stage and occasionally uses Arabic in religious and cultural contexts. Her ability to speak across languages has made her one of the most influential young voices worldwide.
Proof: Coverage on Dawn Images.
Try it: Practice speeches or essays in your target language, like Malala, advocacy and fluency can grow together.
Greta Thunberg (Swedish, English) — Famous for: Climate activist.
Thunberg often delivers her message in English at international summits while using Swedish in her home country. Her bilingualism has helped her climate activism resonate far beyond Scandinavia, showing how a second language can amplify global impact. Her UN address in English remains one of the most powerful youth speeches of the decade.
Proof: Read her TIME feature and UN coverage.
Try it: Rehearse advocacy points in your target language. Greta proves clarity and passion matter more than flawless grammar.
How They Learned (and How You Can Too)
Across these profiles, clear patterns emerge: many celebrities grew up in bilingual homes, others acquired languages after relocating abroad, some immersed themselves in film roles, and others mastered languages on tour with the help of language coaches.
You don’t need to be famous to follow the same path; the principles work for any learner.
The Relocation Method
Learn like: Sandra Bullock, Kobe Bryant, Dua Lipa
- Surround yourself with everyday interactions in your target language (shops, neighbours, local media).
- Label household items or routines in your new language.
- Commit to “no fallback” zones: certain friends or rooms where only the new language is allowed.
- Pair practical needs with language (ordering food, transport, small talk)
5-Minute Drill: Write today’s grocery list in your target language and say each item out loud before shopping.
The Role Method
Learn like: Bradley Cooper, Lupita Nyong’o, Viggo Mortensen
- Tie your practice to a specific goal (film role, speech, presentation).
- Memorise scripts or dialogues instead of random vocabulary.
- Record yourself and play back to match pronunciation and rhythm.
- Work with a coach or partner who corrects in real time.
5-Minute Drill: Pick one short movie line in your target language, repeat it with different tones until it feels natural.
The Tour Method
Learn like: Shakira, Pep Guardiola, Rosalía
- Anticipate common scenarios abroad: press, fans, directions, meals.
- Build phrase packs by city or context (airport, café, interview).
- Switch between languages mid-conversation to strengthen code-switching.
- Listen daily to live interviews or sports pressers in your target language.
5-Minute Drill: Pretend you’re at a press conference: ask and answer two simple questions aloud in your new language.
30-Day “Celebrity Method” Plan (Quick Wins)
Want to learn like the stars? Many multilingual celebrities rely on short, consistent drills. This is definitely not something that is built with marathon study sessions.
Here’s a month-long framework built on their methods, designed to help you build confidence fast:
Week 1: Scenario Phrases
- Learn 3–5 phrases for everyday settings (ordering coffee, greeting fans, short intros).
- Practice them out loud daily. Consistency beats perfection every single time.
- Weekend: Use one phrase in real life (e.g., ordering at a café or texting a friend).
Week 2: Listening + Shadowing
- Pick a short clip (song lyric, interview, press conference).
- Listen once, then repeat along with it, then match the rhythm and intonation.
- Weekend: Record yourself shadowing a 30-second clip and compare it to the original.
Week 3: Timed Speaking Reps
- Set a 2-minute timer and talk non-stop in your target language, and ensure that you’re doing this daily to be the most effective. Consistency is important.
- Focus on flow, not grammar, just like actors rehearsing lines.
- Weekend: Expand to 5 minutes, even if you repeat ideas.
Week 4: Live Practice
- Arrange a chat with a partner, tutor, or language exchange buddy.
- Prepare 5 key phrases to drop into the conversation.
- Weekend: Do one “press conference drill”. Answer 3 questions in a row without switching back to your first language.
Bilingual Celebrity FAQs: Language, Learning, and Careers
Which celebrities are bilingual in French/Spanish/Italian?
Many A-listers are fluent beyond English. Bradley Cooper and Jodie Foster both speak French, Shakira switches easily between Spanish and English, and Lady Gaga has conversational Italian.
Who is the most multilingual footballer/actor?
Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku is often cited as the most multilingual footballer, speaking 8+ languages. Among actors, Viggo Mortensen stands out with fluency in English, Spanish, Danish, and conversational Italian and French.
Do bilingual actors get more roles?
Yes, bilingual actors often land more roles because they can perform in different markets and handle international press. Studios also favour them for global releases and box office appeal.
Is it too late to become bilingual as an adult?
Not at all. Research shows adults can still reach fluency with consistent practice. Adults often learn faster than children thanks to stronger study habits and existing grammar knowledge.
What’s the difference between fluent and conversational?
Fluency means you can use the language naturally and handle complex topics with ease. ‘Conversational’ usually means you can manage everyday situations but may struggle with advanced vocabulary or nuance.