How to pronounce "elliot"

At eight years old, I was enrolled in dance class.

And by ten, I informed my mother

that I didn't want to go to school anymore.

I wanted to be like Billy Elliot and go to stage school.

She would repeatedly ask me, "Are you sure this is what you want?"

And to me, it was a no-brainer.

At the time, I was just too young and naive to feel inadequate.

If Billy Elliot could do it, so could I.

Failing to land the part in the hit sequel "Nanny McPhee" to "The Big Bang,"

My second audition was for a  show called "Game of Thrones.  

I had a hard Bristolian accent and dark rings around my eyes

that were so big they took up half my face.

I was cheeky.

I was loud.

I was angry.

And for this, I was perfect.