Brittany Snow has built a career dipping in and out of genres with the ease of a seasoned television and film veteran. Currently starring in the part erotic slasher, part dark comedy movie, “X”, the 36-year-old actress most notably has teen drama in her veins, from “John Tucker Must Die” and “Prom Night”, to “Gossip Girl” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” - and she can bust out a tune too, with roles in “Hairspray” and as a cappella singerChloe in the “Pitch Perfect” movie franchise.

A philanthropist and mental health advocate, we caught up with her to talk about the emotional mindfuck of Hollywood beauty standards, and how we can all turn vulnerability into strength.

**Nanushka** coat, **Ferragamo** pants, black top and shoes

What were your favourite scenes to shoot in your new film “X”?

My favourite scenes were in the van. We got to be with each other and play our specific character. We looked around and knew something between us was magic.

It’s got an element of that old school American slasher movie to it - if you could go back to any of those iconic 70s and 80s films, which female role would you play?

Carrie!

Left **Valentino** full look
Right **Nanushka** coat, **Ferragamo** black top

What about superhero movies? Would you ever consider stepping into that genre?

I do find them interesting. I love the correlation of real life lessons and the escapism it provides. I would love to step into that genre. I’ve always wanted to play an action hero and be in fight sequences. Who doesn’t want to have a super power?

Talking of super powers - the sisterhood between you and your “Pitch Perfect” costars is pretty powerful, how has it endured and evolved through the years and life’s highs and lows?

We are a family through and through. We all started Pitch Perfect in various places in life and yet, we realised we all were going to be with each other as a “group” through a wild ride. Some of these girls have been with me through the worst lows and highest highs and their friendship has never wavered. We accept each other for our flaws, celebrate our successes and also, call each other on our shit.

**Nanushka** coat, **Ferragamo** black top

And will there be a reunion for a “Pitch Perfect 4” maybe? Would you be down for another sequel?

I know nothing. I am always the last to know and I mean that literally. We would all be excited for another one. We get to sing and dance with our favourite people. What is better?

**Joseph** blazer, **Simonett** skirt, **Acne Studios** boots

Well aside from acting, you’ve also been empowering people about the importance of mental wellbeing. You’ve spoken quite openly about your own struggles with anorexia and depression since the age of twelve. What motivated you to share so openly?

I shared my experience for a charity website to help whomever needed to feel a connection. I didn’t realise at the time the video would be picked up and out-sourced other places. I was young and truly wanted to feel like a part of a community. I can look back now and realise how much I was completely unaware of the stigma surrounding mental health. It has been a goal of mine since then, to help expand the conversation in whatever way I can. To help open up discussions where we all feel a little less weird and more united as human beings. No one should feel shamed for going through something with their mental health.

Left **Acne Studios** dress
Right **Simonett** trench

And now we’re all talking about mental health more than ever before. What do you think really changed that stigma of sharing our vulnerability and becoming so exposed without being labelled self-indulgent or trying to gain attention?

More and more people realising that we all have a story. We are not worse or better. We can share without judgement. I think that’s what we try to do with September Letters, my charity I started in 2020. We want everyone to feel included and connected. By doing that, we feel like we can combat things with the confidence that we are not alone in this.

**Acne Studios** dress, **Simonett** skirt

I was going to ask about September Letters, which is so inspiring - how did it all come about?

When I was 15 years old I read a magazine article in a fitness publication. The woman was talking about recovering from depression and anxiety and a food related disorder. It was the first time I had ever heard my own words in someone else’s story. I didn’t even know what I had, but I immediately felt less alone. I carried around that article in my back pocket for months. It was tangible hope for me. Someone else had recovered from whatever this was. A few years later, when I was in my early 20s, I received some back lash for sharing my story (with that charity website). I wrote an article for a popular magazine which talked about my mental health journey so far. I just wanted to be honest just like that woman had written in that article when I was 15. After the article came out, I was at a coffee shop and a girl in front of me turned around, tears in her eyes and had MY article in her back pocket. It was a full circle moment and I realised I wanted to do something with that idea. That being open and honest could help someone else you may never meet. Or maybe you will.

Left **ATM** t-shirt
Right **Acne Studios** dress

It’s great that you’re launching a September Letters book in 2023 too, what can we expect from that?

We have many beautiful letters from our community, all sharing different things they want to share. We also have professional experts, teachers, scientists, doctors, therapists who comment on how connection is imperative to mental health. I’m also prepping a movie right now that I wrote. Coincidentally about mental health as well. We start filming in NYC next month. I am very excited.

Let’s talk about the industry you work in, because there’s always been so much pressure on women, especially in Hollywood, to look a certain way, but not so much of a focus on mental health?

I think it is changing. Unfortunately, there always has been a standard of beauty which continues to change. For a long time, I put that standard of “beauty” before my mental health. I wanted to be a part of the club, whatever that club was, I wasn’t sure I even knew. Now, my health comes first. My mental positivity and outlook comes before what I want to look like. I had to stop caring what other people thought and I stopped subscribing to the standard. If someone doesn’t want to hire me because of the way I look, then it wasn’t mine to begin with. I’ve basically said fuck the club.

I think social media has also contributed to that increased anxiety we all share today about image and body positivity. You’ve talked about the importance of limiting the amount of time we spend on socials. What’s your advice about removing that magnifying glass on ourselves?

No one has it figured out and everyone is going through something. There’s this 4 agreements chapter that I find helpful for social media. “Do not make assumptions.” Our brain loves to compartmentalise things and want to control a narrative – but the truth is, we don’t know what is really going on behind that picture or video. I say, use it as a tool and set boundaries. If it makes you feel like shit. Don’t look at it. If there’s puppies jumping over sunflowers and that video makes you happy as a clam. Watch it.

Lizzo does that for me! I just love her energy and positivity, and she’s just being herself unlike all these Insta-influencers striving for perfection and likes which at the end of the day, really mean nothing! Who do you admire?

All the women who have been living with confidence and vulnerability, in the spotlight or not. I think it’s great we look up to women in the spotlight but there’s so many women who have been living that truth and never get recognition for it. I love when I meet someone like that. Who knows their worth and it has nothing to do with what they do, what they look like, what they want to obtain but who they are.

And being kind to yourself is important too?

It’s talking to yourself like a friend and being insanely grateful for the little things. It’s realising you aren’t in control. Life is weird, hard, ever changing and beautiful and you have to let go of thinking you can control anything. The only thing I know for sure, is being kind to myself has changed my life.

What are your other self-care/love rituals?

I get massages a lot. I have a really bad back and neck and even if I go into a nail salon and get a massage for 10 minutes – I feel like it helps work out those knots. I listen to music and write every morning. I make a LOT of lists and that soothes me. I try to walk my dog and not think about anything else except just the walk and that is a form of meditation for me.

Let’s go back to writing letters….if you were writing one to your younger self, what would you tell her now?

Don’t be so hard on yourself kid.

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Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Shane McCauley

Fashion by Carolina Orrico

Hair by Candice Birns

MU by Miriam Nichterlein

Stylist’s assistant Mariah Alcantar