Sophie Turner, who won millions of hearts as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, has opened up about the emotional reason she believes helped her secure her role in the X-Men franchise. Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on January 7, 2026, the actress shared that a deeply personal piece of jewellery played a crucial part in her audition journey.
Turner revealed that she wore her late grandfather Robert Jesse Cotton’s wedding ring during her screen test for X-Men: Apocalypse in 2016. The ring, which she inherited shortly after his passing, became a symbol of comfort, strength, and good luck for her. “He’s my hero. My total hero,” Turner said, becoming visibly emotional as she spoke about him. She explained that she received the ring just a couple of weeks before her audition and decided to wear it during the screen test. “I wore it, and I got the role,” she added, smiling.
That audition marked a major turning point in Turner’s career. She went on to portray Jean Grey in X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) and later reprised the role in X-Men: Dark Phoenix (2019), firmly establishing herself in the superhero genre. During the interview, Turner pointed to the sky and said, “I give it up to Robert Jesse Cotton,” paying tribute to her grandfather’s lasting influence on her life and success.
The revelation comes at a particularly significant time for Turner. She is set to celebrate her 30th birthday on February 21, 2026, and will also mark 15 years since Game of Thrones first premiered. Reflecting on this new phase, Turner recently told CBS Mornings that she feels more grounded and confident than ever before. After her divorce from Joe Jonas in September 2023, she turned inward, focusing on healing and self-growth. “I’ve been doing a hell of a lot of therapy,” she shared, adding that she now feels ready to embrace her 30s with clarity and strength.
On the professional front, Turner has several exciting projects lined up. She will star in the upcoming Prime Video series Steal and is also undergoing intense training for her role as Lara Croft. Her physical transformation and discipline were on full display during her Tonight Show appearance, where she playfully challenged Jimmy Fallon to a thumb war.
Confidently boasting about her “really, really good” thumb strength, Turner asked Fallon if he wanted “this smoke.” The host agreed—only to be swiftly defeated, leaving the audience in laughter.
With emotional grounding, renewed confidence, and major roles ahead, Sophie Turner is clearly stepping into her next chapter stronger, happier, and more empowered than ever.