Going from ex-adult movie star to creative entrepreneur, in-demand model and on-the-radar actress, 29 year-old Jessie Andrews has well and truly mastered the art of the rebrand. As the founder of three businesses—Bagatiba, Basic Swim, and Jeu Illimite, not to mention opening Tase Gallery in Los Angeles — an immersive art and shopping space — she’s appeared alongside Timothée Chalamet in the 2018 movie Hot Summer Nights, and now she’s joined the most viral TV show of the moment, Euphoria. Are we surprised? Not really. This girl is on fire.

How did you end up on Euphoria?

I ended up on the show through social media. The director and I exchanged messages and here we are!

One of the things I like about the series, is that it delves to darker places, and opens up the door for us to empathise with another person’s experience - how did you get into character for the role, and did you relate at all to her in any way?

It was quite easy. Ella was an easy character to relate to. She’s obviously in a relationship she doesn’t want to be in and a bit annoyed at everything her boyfriend does. I understood her completely.

So are you decisive about roles? Do you instinctively know whether it’s a woman that you want to play?

When an opportunity comes to me I know immediately if I want to take it or not. I’m very decisive and particular.

What’s the transition been like into mainstream TV and film, as when you first moved to LA you were doing adult films, and then fast forward to 2018 and you’re working alongside Timothée Chalamet in the movie Hot Summer Nights?

It’s been very interesting going from adult films to main stream, there are so many similarities but some major differences obviously. The amount of staff that’s on a mainstream set and how well thought out production is could be the main difference, budgets are bigger, stakes are higher. I love working with actors that are completely submerged into the character, that’s exactly what Timothee does.

Well you’ve well and truly mastered the art of fighting stereotypes, proving that anyone can have the courage to achieve their dreams, whichever journey they take - spinning so may creative plates, are you basically a workaholic?

Basically! I love life, having experiences and learning new things. I feel so lucky that I get to have all of these different careers but having Bagatiba has been the backbone of it all and the success has allowed me the freedom to do everything else.

How important has social media been in supporting your endeavours and success, and what are the pros and cons of it for you?

It is truly the most important. It’s power and influence, you just decide what to do with it.

It’s also about curating identities, some genuine, some fake! Do you think there’s ever been a time in your personal and professional journey where you felt that you didn’t really have an identity and you’re just kind of searching for it?

I feel like I’ve known exactly who I am since I can remember. But do we really ever know ourselves completely?

Well let’s get to know you, what inspires you?

Travelling and experiences inspire me.

And who are your heroes?

Virgil Abloh. He was a visionary, kind, intelligent, culturally relevant, boundary pushing and most importantly a friend. There are not many people I respect and take advice from but he was at the top of my list.

He was also incredibly thoughtful about life and often said how slowing down can sometimes be the best thing. So when you’re doing all these things at once, like you’re on set, or shooting, and you’re travelling and stuff, what are things that you do to keep yourself centred?

Drinking coffee in the morning, it’s part of my ritual. Skin care, Pilates, seeing friends, really just doing things I enjoy.

And do you ever look back and reflect - like if you could say something to your younger self when you were first starting out in LA, before everything happened, what would it be?

I’d tell myself to go directly from adult films into mainstream acting. Sometimes I think I’ve waited a few years too long, but maybe that was the right thing to do.

So how does the future look?

I’m looking forward to doing more acting. I’ve just signed with Alex Kovacs at Untitled Entertainment who represent actors like Zoe Kravitz, Kate Hudson and Sam Rockwell. I will be working on more interior design projects and renovations as well as running my businesses smoothly!

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Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Cameron McCool

DISRUPTING STEREOTYPES

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