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Hanna Pallot
PULLED BY THE MOON

In conversation with CORY MICHAEL SMITH

PULLED BY THE MOON
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Martin Onufrowicz
SOUL VIBRATIONS
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Hanna Pallot
HOPEFUL ESCAPISM
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Martin Onufrowicz
MAN IN THE MIRROR
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Martin Onufrowicz
A LESSON IN EMPATHY

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SENSORIAL INSTINCT

SHE’S THE NAME ON EVERYONE’S LIPS. LONGLISTED FOR A BAFTA BEST ACTRESS AWARD AND BAFTA RISING STAR NOM, AND ALREADY THE RECIPIENT OF A BIFA GONG – 26-YEAR-OLD TALENT MIA MCKENNA-BRUCE HAS MADE THE TYPE OF MOVIE THAT DEMANDS ATTENTION, AND NOT JUST FOR ITS SCENES OF PURE NOSTALGIC GENIUS. HOW TO HAVE SEX, IN WHICH SHE PLAYS THE CHARACTER OF TARA, IS A GIDDY, THOUGHT-PROVOKING, AND SUN-FILLED TEEN COMING-OF-AGE STORY, WHICH HAS INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO MIA AS ITS BREAKOUT STAR.

YOU’LL HAVE SEEN THE BRITISH ACTRESS AS TEE TAYLOR IN TRACY BEAKER RETURNS AND ITS SPINOFF THE DUMPING GROUND, AND IN THE WITCHER, FANTASY HORROR SERIES VAMPIRE ACADEMY, AND IN NETFLIX’S JANE AUSTEN ADAPTATION PERSUASION.  WELL NOW MCKENNA’S HAVING HER BIG MOMENT, BALANCED WITH ALSO RAISING HER FIRST CHILD, AND AS A MOTHER AND PERFORMER, SHE’S A FORCEFIELD FOR SELFHOOD AND AN ARTIST WHO CHALLENGES, DRAWN TO FUTURE ROLES WHICH MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO PEOPLE’S LIVES.

Full look Jacquemus

So, Mia, first off, we must discuss your sequinned-covered baby bump on the Croisette back in May last year. Also, that standing ovation for How to Have Sex, and all the awards and now the exciting noms! Where was your mind at that point, as it must have been crazy having these major moments in your life happening all at once?
Pure insanity. Honestly that all felt like a movie in itself. I have dreamed of moments like this for the longest time, we all had, so we just wanted to make sure we were not taking any of it for granted and just having the best time. I think I’m still processing it all now! 

This film’s been hailed as your breakout moment – and it comes at a time when the subject of women, sex and consent have never been more on the agenda. When you got the script, did you have an idea of how you would like to embody the character’s journey through the fragility of coming-of-age and entering womanhood?
When I first got the script, I wanted to do it because I knew how important this story was. I would have benefited from a film like this, and seeing how truthful director Molly’s writing was, really excited me. So that was the main thing for me from the get-go, I just wanted to be as honest as I could in playing Tara - which meant being super open and vulnerable. We worked hard during a rehearsal process at the beginning to really get to know these characters, their back stories and what makes them so relatable to so many people, we wanted people to watch the film and feel seen and see themselves reflected in some way.

Left Full look Zadig&Voltaire

Right Top, shorts and shoes Miu Miu, socks Falke

“I just wanted to be as honest as I could in playing Tara - which meant being super open and vulnerable.”

Well, the film explores director Molly [Manning Walker’s] own personal experiences. What’s been the response so far from girls and women who have similar stories to tell, as your character Tara’s – have many felt they’re never been confident to talk about them. Has it become more obvious that it was so important to make this film?
Definitely. So many people have said that seeing the film has given them the space to talk about what they went through or has helped them process things that they didn’t even know they were feeling. A lot of people have said they feel so seen by Tara, it’s a film you walk away from and want to talk about with your friends - which is a good thing of course. With the response that we’ve had I think it really goes to show the need for films like this.

You mention you would have benefited from a film like this in your own teen years too. Do you think sex education in schools should move from the biological side to a conversation about consent and safe sex for the post #MeToo generation?
Yes, I do wish we had more films like this. Just in a way to encourage teens to talk more and be more empathetic towards each-other. I think it’s so easy in your teens to become very self-absorbed and forget how much your actions can impact others, so I think seeing that played out on screen is important. I do also think it’s vital we moved forward from just the biological side of sex education, otherwise we are encouraging young people to figure out consent and sex on their own, potentially through other means. 

As a new Mum yourself and having your little boy, obviously I’m going to ask if you’ve instantly found yourself thinking about what type of society he’s being raised in – especially with young teen boys scarily taking cues from people like the self-proclaimed “misogynistic influencer” Andrew Tate?
Oh, for sure. I think for us it’s just very important to being completely open with our son about these things. Our family is very woman heavy, so he’ll have a lot of positive female influences and I’d then want to encourage him to have conversations with his friends to hopefully share those positive influences.

So, getting back to the film’s theme, when was your own first teenage, all-girls’ holiday, do you have any memories or secrets from it that you would like to share with the world now about having the “Best! Holiday! Ever!”?
I think I had my first girls’ holiday when I had just turned 18. I fell out with a group of girlfriends from school because they all booked to go on their holiday without me while I was on a job. I was very sad ha-ha, just goes to show how much of a rite of passage these holidays are. I felt completely abandoned!

Left and right Dress Giorgio Armani, shoes N21, bracelets Sweet Lime Juice

Well, you shot everything in Malia, in Greece, which is always full of party-buzzing rites of passage-seeking young Brits! Did filming ever overlap with any real clubbers, boozed up looking for a kebab shop?
Yeah! So, shooting the party scenes did slightly overlap with the end of the season so we had a few real-life party goers, which was crazy watching life imitate art. We were filming in a chip shop and three girls came in and started eating the props.

And I’m imagining that some of the prep for this role didn’t involve downing a bottle of Ouzo, so how did you get the act of looking totally plastered down to a fine art? It looks like you all had a lot of fun making the film!
Ha-ha! Honestly the main thing was we were just very hyper! And we used to spin around in circles before action was called so that we felt dizzy!

Left Full look Miu Miu

Right Full look Isabel Marant

“So many people have said that seeing the film has given them the space to talk about what they went through or has helped them process things that they didn’t even know they were feeling.”

The clubbing style in this film is spot on too. Was there direction in terms of how they wanted your character Tara to dress, or were you able to have your own input with her wardrobe too?
So, George Buxton (the costume designer) is just amazing and first and foremost wanted us all to feel comfortable. But particularly for Tara, like when she starts wearing Skye’s clothes, they wanted the outfits to be slightly “ill- fitting” so we could tell they weren’t her own! They also used colours to represent different things - like orange was a danger colour.

You’re obviously into fashion off-screen too. What’s your style go-to and which designer (if they’re reading this, free clothes, you’re welcome), would you love to be a muse for?
Am I?! I’ll take that ha-ha! I’m very much for comfort always, and you’ll usually find me in a tracksuit! I love TALA for day-to-day stuff.

Well as this film also depicts, fashion and music are always a perfect pairing. So, harking back to your hedonistic teen soundtracks, what was the first album that really spoke to you?
Don’t laugh at me. Bratz Rock Angelz.

Ok, we’ll move on quickly! I read that you grew up in Southeast London, but I don’t know what kind of upbringing you had. What kind of London girl were you and were you a wannabe child star, or was there a pushy parent shoving you on stage, as your first acting role was as a ballet girl in the Billy Elliot musical in London?
It definitely wasn’t a pushy parent situation. None of us had any clue about the industry and I just started dance lessons at a local dance school in New Eltham as a way to expel energy! I knew I enjoyed performing for people but didn’t really register that I could do it as a career!

Right Full look Isabel Marant

Right Shirt, skirt and shoes Fendi, socks Falke

And what kind of London girl are you now? And has your work ethic changed a bit, balancing motherhood with acting?
I think balancing the two has made me more relaxed! Weird I know. But somehow motherhood so far has given me a lot more faith in myself, and also, I have more to think about than just work now, a tiny human is dependent on me.

But is there an actor or director that you’re like, “Before I die, I wish to work with this person?”
Kate Winslet!

What about a genre you really want to try out?
I’d love to give action a go at some point, I think. I love the idea of doing stunts!

Well you’re having a massive moment, or whatever longer than a moment is. This is your time, shall we say? So, what’s your next move?
Thank you so much! I feel very excited and very grateful. My next move, hmm, hopefully to get to continue telling stories that make a difference to people. 

Left Full look Zadig&Voltaire

Right Full look Fendi

Voting for the EE Rising Star Award is now open at ee.co.uk/BAFTA until 12pm GMT on Friday 16th February 2024. The winner will be announced at the EE BAFTA Film Awards on Sunday 18th February 2024. How to Have Sex is available on MUBI now.

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Bruno McGuffie

Fashion by Steven Huang

Make-Up by Francesca Angelina Brazzo at The Wall Group using Giorgio Armani Makeup

Hair by Sven Bayerbach at Carol Hayes Management using Drybar

Photographer’s assistant Oskar Sinicki

Stylist’s assistant Damini Regal

SHINY DREAMS

WHO HASN’T BEEN OBSESSED WITH HBO’S OSTENTATIOUS COSTUME DRAMA, THE GILDED AGE, SO MUCH THAT EVEN INSTAGRAM HAILS IT AS THE ‘DYNASTY OF THE 1880S’. SO, IMAGINE OUR GLEE WHEN THEATRE-LUVVIE-TURNED-BREAKOUT STAR OF THE SHOW, ACTOR BEN AHLERS, YES HUMBLE FOOTMAN JACK TROTTER HIMSELF, CAUGHT UP WITH US TO TALK ABOUT SHINY DREAMS, INNER HAPPINESS AND NEW YORK, NEW YORK.

Hey Ben, let’s talk about how things have taken off for you. Theatre is where it all started before you jumped onto our TV screens. How did the acting bug begin?
Hey, what’s good! Well, theatre was the natural path to start, since that’s where I got the bug growing up.  Like many artists, I didn’t mesh too well socially when I was a kid.  Performing gave me an identity.  It also gave me the attention and love you so desperately crave when you’re young.  We still crave that, I guess.  But once I got to college for my study in musical theatre, I felt a bit limited in how I wanted to express myself.  I dove into student theatre and short films, so when I got out on my own professionally, moving into TV seemed like the clear next step.  I’m aching to do theatre again though.  That’s where I feel most free and myself.

Why is that?
Theatre is a sacred place to me.  I miss the live connection to the audience.  Over the last year and a half, I’ve been developing a reading workshop that’s turning into a bit of an incubator for new work with my extremely talented friends.  We have some plans for bringing a few of the pieces to production this year.  We need more consistent, risk-taking, accessible theatre that lives outside of the existing model.

Are there any inventive or risk-taking stage or screen directors you would love to work with then?
I’m a big fan of Sean Baker and Chloé Zhao.  Sam Mendes is the North Star for both filmmaking and theatre directing.  And I’m a huge fan of Yorgos Lanthimos.  He’s so inventive with his story telling, and there’s a size, peculiarity, and urgency to his filmmaking that I find so inspiring.  Dogtooth is a masterpiece.  Poor Things was superb and will really stretch mainstream audiences’ understanding of what’s possible through cinema.  I remember seeing The Florida Project and Nomadland and thought, “those are the stories I want to tell.”  This country is so big, and I hope my work can reflect as much of that diversity as possible.  There’s a lot of healing to be done.

Did any of your own experiences growing up in the US, in Iowa, inform any of your passions and dreams?
People back home really work so hard.  Maybe too hard.  One grandfather was a small-town lawyer, and the other was a cattle farmer.  They were role models for the daily grind, and made it clear to me that process was more important than product.  I think dreaming sometimes gets in the way of what’s right in front of you, the steps to accomplishing that dream.  And that Iowan discipline and humility instilled a work ethic that I can trust while everything else sorts itself out.

So, you find yourself in the big city (New York), right in the heart of an opulent period drama, in The Gilded Age.
Period dramas always felt daunting to me, especially an era so distant from our lived experience.  You can find videos and interviews from the 1930s or 70s.  But it’s a different time of creative leap to do something from so long ago.  We had the most in-depth research assistance from our historical experts on set.  And every element of the productions design from Bob Shaw and costumes from Kasia Walicka Maimone did all that imaginative work for us.  We got to focus on the heart of these characters and their journeys.  There’s a universality in their experience that makes the show so compelling and the performances accessible.

And your character Jack is really of the modern age too, as he’s kind and empathic and a real optimist, Gen Z’s idol! How’s it been embodying this character and bringing him to life?
I’m such a big fan of Jack.  He’s taught me a lot about how to get through the chaos we’re going through right now.  Be good to the people around you.  Do your job.  Find hope and embody it.  The best part about this job is that your characters get to unlock different parts of yourself, and I have a lot to thank him for.

What do you hope for him in Season 3, he’s got such a rich backstory?
We’re coming back, baby!  Well, the season ended on such a high note, and we’re all itching to see what’s next. I’m so glad we get to give our audience what they deserve.  They’ve been so loyal. That said, I have no idea what’s coming, so I’m just as eager as everyone else!  I want to see how Jack navigates success.  We see two extremes between the Old Money and New Money.  But Jack has such a distinct POV, and to watch him rise as the embodiment of the American Dream could give a fresh and nuanced take on the joys and pitfalls of that journey.

Can you imagine if WhatsApp existed back then? I mean, the group gossip those footmen of the upstairs / downstairs would share having been privy to everything!
Who needs reality TV?  The servants had a front row seat to the original Real Housewives.  The gossip had to be their number one form of entertainment.  With the wealth disparity, too, I wonder whether the servants took inspiration or harboured resentment toward their employers.  Jack certainly couldn’t help but get caught up in the dream of something greater.

Do you like a good gossip, or do you prefer to keep a secret?
I’m too sensitive. Gossip and secrets stress me out.

Speaking of social media. I noticed on your IG that you’ve travelled to Europe a fair bit, with its rich architectural history, much like those amazing homes we see in The Gilded Age which have all but disappeared now. Do you enjoy discovering the past through travel?
Good question! That’s exactly why I like to travel to those places.  Everywhere you go in Europe you get a much clearer sense of what’s come before you.  I’m filled with gratitude and humility for how small I am in the grand scheme of things.  There’s a sense of responsibility, too, to make your life mean something.  When you’re standing on streets hundreds of years old, you realise how fast this thing goes.  New York is constantly revolutionising itself.  But you lose a lot in the process.

Someone once told me about being a New Yorker whether you’re born there or not - that you just know when you are one, and you can certainly spot someone who’s not when you meet them! Are you a New Yorker now?
I think you either become a New Yorker or you end up leaving town.  And if you leave, I totally get it.  There’s an armour you have to wear in order to get through all of the madness.  The highs are so high, and the lows can be so low.  But if you can make it through the resistance, there’s a deep feeling of possibility and importance in a place like this that I haven’t found anywhere else.  I’d say I’m a New Yorker now.  If your bodega guy knows your order when you walk through the door, you’ve made it!

If you weren't an actor, what would you be doing?
I’d probably be living on a beach somewhere teaching yoga and selling homemade jam or something.

Yes, you’re very into practising mindfulness in nature, right?
I definitely feel most whole when I’m in harmony with nature.  I think human beings generally feel separate or above the natural world, and that’s led to most of our problems, on the individual and collective levels.  So, any chance I get, I try to find a forest or a beach and turn off the worldly distractions that lead to nowhere. Happiness comes from within, no matter the cliche. 

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Hadar Pitchon

LEARNING THE ROPES

Stanley Simons is tagging into the big leagues. The Australian actor makes his debut in The Iron Claw, a film that delves into the tragic tale of wrestling's most renowned dynasty. Despite the movie’s melancholic tone, the young actor clarifies that life only imitates art in some ways. The sombre atmosphere wasn’t present on set, but the wrestling scenes and the brotherhood developed between the all-star cast were real. The latter was particularly important to the actor, as he enters the Hollywood rink in full force. Despite being fresh to the scene, Simons hesitates to limit himself to the role of an actor. Instead, he sets his sights on something deeper. Dabbling in writing and music, art has always been a way to express and heal himself. The only difference? Now he’s “getting paid to do this.”

How's your day going?

 It’s been fun. I just came from a Saint Laurent fitting, so it’s obviously been a good day. [Laughs]

 That is a sure-fire way to have a great day. Speaking of good things, your new movie The Iron Claw is creating quite a buzz. Were you a fan of wrestling before you got the role?

 I feel like wrestling was a part of everyone’s childhood in my generation. I’d seen some WWE. My cousin was a big fan… I remember being terrified of The Undertaker. I was a huge fan of Rey Mysterio. I had a John Cena action figure. It was all around me in a way, even where I grew up in Australia. People sang the walkout songs, and everyone got on each other's shoulders and picked each other up.

 Wrestling blurs a line between fighting and performance art. Do you think that’s why it resonated so much with our generation?

 I think it’s the entertainment aspect that hooks people to it. It’s not the actual sport that brings people out to these huge arenas. It's the moments between extreme physicality. Jeremy [Allen White] said it well the other day. I think he was quoting Chavo [Guerrero Jr], a former WWE professional and one of our stunt coordinators. He said that it's the moments in between the fights that make it what it is. It’s the expression on your face, how you rile up a crowd, how you make the fans love or hate you. Watching people create characters and express themselves in odd ways is fun.

 You just mentioned the physical aspect of wrestling, which of course is a big part of it. How did you prepare for the actual fight scenes?

 So, I had a great stunt double on set named Tanner, he was great and super impressive, and he did some amazing work. But, when it came to the wrestling scenes – because I didn’t have that many – it was all me. He was always on standby, waiting with the costume on, but I never gave him the chance.

 What were those scenes like? Did you have muscle memory from playing as a kid?

 [Laughs] Well, not so much of that. We had Chavo, who was amazing. We had a week with him just going over the basics of wrestling. We started from the ground up. I’m naturally athletic and I played a lot of sports growing up, so I think that helped. I was just having a lot of fun with it. I was taking it as seriously as possible, but I couldn’t help but feel like “This is crazy, I’m getting paid to do this.”

 You worked with some amazing people on this movie. What was it like acting alongside Zac Efron or Jeremy Allen White?

 I was a fan of pretty much every other cast member on set beforehand. The first day I met Zac, Harris [Dickinson] and Jeremy, we were all wrestling and practising before we started shooting. I was shitting my pants. I was sitting down, watching them all wrestle while I read my book, but they all came and introduced themselves. Everyone was so nice and down to earth. I don’t know what I was expecting, I guess I didn’t have any expectations but soon the four of us all developed a nice banter. They all knew it was my first big production, they were very encouraging and helpful. I asked for advice and stories of their careers…

 Was there anything that stood out to you?

 Well, it wasn't actual advice. I learned a lot just by watching them. Zac was asking for advice from everyone. That’s someone with a big name in the industry who is open to figuring out a scene with a different approach. He asked me for advice at one point and I was trying so hard to give him something worth his time. I remember taking a step back while shooting and thinking, “Wow, these are amazing actors.” They were just so good to work off. Even on days I didn’t have to be on set, I would be there watching them do their thing.

 I’ve heard some stories of the dynamic on set, particularly one where you sang a High School Musical song to Zac.

 [Laughs] Well, I have this big music scene that we were unsure of. For weeks we were having conversations about how we were going to do it, if we were doing it live or pre-recording it. The night before, we decided I would do it live. I was freaking out. I had to pull myself out of that, to bring some levity to it. So, I learned the chords for the final duet in that movie, and I thought you know, if I get the chance, I’ll do it. And in between takes, I saw the opportunity, so I started singing it. It was fun, we all started laughing and joking around.

 You mentioned this was your first major project and you had a quite tragic role. How did you access that vulnerability?

 I honestly find it kind of difficult to reach that place. But what I’ve learned is that it doesn’t matter how internal a performance is if it doesn’t resonate with the audience. It all depends on the scene and character. But I think it's more important to project something instead of internalizing it, but that might be more of a writer’s perspective than an actor’s.

Do you ever think about writing?

 Definitely. I mean, I’m not the best writer but I’ve been trying to get better for the past couple of years. Screenwriting specifically is something I love doing. I make music as well and I love writing songs too. At this point, I’m just doing it for myself, it's meditative and rewarding. I feel like I'm an artist at the forefront. I want to do different things.

 

Do you see yourself diving into more light-hearted roles in the future? Or do you enjoy exploring your vulnerability?

 Of course, I’d love to explore everything. But honestly… I come from a very creative family, but we have this genetic tendency to bottle our emotions up. I have that trait too, which is not necessarily great for an actor. But I think that’s kind of my way through it. By playing a character, I have a way to express myself emotionally.

…

Interview by Pedro Vasconcelos

Photography by Ritchie Jo Espenilla

Fashion by Simon Dae Dissing Bacher

Grooming by Jessica Ortiz using R & Co

All clothes Celine Homme

ACTING ROYALTY

LAST WEEK, LUTHER FORD WAS LAUNCHED FROM RELATIVE OBSCURITY AS AN UP-AND-COMING ACTOR-WRITER-DIRECTOR, INTO AN IMMEDIATE SUPERSTAR – WHY YOU ASK? WELL, HE JUST PLAYED ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS RED HEADS ON THE PLANET, PRINCE HARRY, IN THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED FINAL SEASON OF THE CROWN. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE RISING BRITISH TALENT TO CHAT ABOUT HIS NEW LIFE AS A HAZZA LOOKALIKE… ALTHOUGH HIS MUM DOESN’T THINK HE BEARS ANY RESEMBLANCE TO THE HOT-HEADED DUKE AT ALL.

Left Shirt and tie Valentino, coat Simone Rocha

Right Full look Maison Margiela

Firstly, have you ever met a royal or had an experience with a royal?

 I once saw Tom Parker Bowles in a newsagent. Does that count?

 

Um, ok… what’s the most British thing about you?

 I’m playing Prince Harry in The Crown. I don’t know if I could do something more British than that. How about, I drank many cups of tea whilst playing Prince Harry in The Crown?

Full look Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

 Yes, speaking of Harry… have you read his book then? I’m thinking Spare might not have been part of your preparation for playing him in Season 6 of The Crown?!

 Of course I have! Or I listened to the audiobook on repeat at least. The early chapters were very useful for the period we were dealing with. Most scenes could be linked to a specific chapter. It was kind of perfect really, I’d check in with him in my trailer just before heading onto set.

Left Full look Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

Right Full look Miu Miu

 When you’re playing a real-life figure, is the impulse to go on a YouTube deep dive to watch as much footage as you can? Or did you delve into the history and spend hours practicing in front of a mirror to perfect his voice and mannerisms?

 A lot of both. Like all departments, The Crown’s research team have incredible resources and provide you with amazing attentions to detail. When I first got the part, I was sent a library of documentaries, articles, interviews, and books. That was also the moment when I began to realise, “oh fuck, I’m actually doing this!” I just stayed in my room for about 2 weeks and treated it like I was preparing for an exam. Lots of red notebooks. I always spend too much time writing out titles. But I looked for all the details and insights that I could understand or relate to. And absolutely, I’ve been on every YouTube deep dive you could imagine. The holy grail really was an interview he did for his 21st birthday. That was my soundtrack for 6 months. Though in the end, you do have to leave that all behind and let go. It’s not an impression, it’s about building on an essence, I think. Ultimately these are characters in Peter Morgan’s world.

Cardigan, sweater and underwear Miu Miu, pants Zadig&Voltaire

 How did the audition for the part play out, and why did you go up for it? Have people told you in the past that you bear a strong physical resemblance to the younger prince?

 So, my brother’s girlfriend sent me the open casting call, which my sister had reposted on Facebook. Clearly, she is the better casting director. It was something along the lines of “You’re ginger, and you have a cheeky smile, so why not?” I’d never acted before on any professional level or been to drama school, but I’ve always acted in my own films out of necessity. So yes, I thought what is there to lose? It seemed so unusual that something as huge as The Crown was doing an open casting call. I had a perfect blend of logic, “It doesn’t work this way - you haven’t got a chance” and then a dose of naive arrogance, “Yeah, but I think I might get it.” So, I didn’t feel any real pressure. In terms of a resemblance, no, not really to be honest. But then again, when you’re ginger, everyone thinks you’re related. I have to thank my brother’s girlfriend, so thank you! My mum’s exact words I think were, “you don’t look anything like him, course you won’t get it.” Funny.

 

You know that Harry binge-watches The Crown with Google open, fact-checking everything, which he revealed on The Late Show in the US. No pressure then?!

 Yeah… I feel he’ll have a tough time if he is fact-checking. I think it’s sort of widely acknowledged that it’s Peter Morgan’s reimagining. It is a drama after all. 

Left Full look Prada

Right Full look Dior Men

Well, season 6 takes place in the late ’90s and early 2000s. What can you tell us (that you’re allowed to), about some of the scenes you’ve filmed and locations. Are there any highlights which you can’t wait for audiences to see, or scenes that really challenged you?

 It’s like being on a tour with a really strange band. Imelda Staunton is leading the way. Great singer! We went all over the country filming in various country homes and estates - it was incredible. That was definitely one of the best things about filming as I really got to know the UK geographically in a way I never have before. Well…I can’t say too much, but I think I’m most excited to see how the story of brotherhood translates. It’s not black and white, there’s a lot of love between them, but also a lot of competition, pain and resentment.

Left Shirt Maison Margiela, Tee Jordanluca

Right Full look Ferragamo

 The series catapulted Emma Corrin to global fame as its Princess Diana, are you ready for what’s coming, being on the cusp of mega-stardom?

 No. I try not to think about any of that to be honest. I don’t think that rule applies to everyone so I’m just rolling with the punches.

 

Has this experience changed how you perceive Prince Harry and the rest of the Royal Family when you see them on television, do you empathise with him more?

 Absolutely, I think it’s almost impossible not to. Especially when you’ve spent so long thinking about them as a family, rather than as an institution. You have to find a connection, which can be difficult because they’re also so alien!

Full look Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

 One thing you’ve got to love about acting is just the ability to lose yourself. What kind of stories are you interested in exploring and telling, or genres you’re drawn to?

 

I think often I’m drawn to things that are on the darker, more twisted side, but still intimate. I like things that have a sense of reality - that feel real but also exist within a heightened world. I’m interested in family dynamics and the rules and rituals of our relationships. I also like a bit of silence.

 

Who inspires you? Actors, musicians, writers – anybody!

 Ooh okay, it changes all the time but right now; Julia Ducournau (I loved Titane), Céline Sciamma, Steve McQueen (I just watched Shame), David Lynch of course - what an artist, Mac Miller, Isabelle Huppert, Franz Rogowski, Mark Rylance, Alexander McQueen, Jim Carrey, the list goes on and on and on…

Left Full look Alexander McQueen

Right Full look Valentino

 You’ve also written and directed your own film shorts and are currently studying to be a director at the Arts University Bournemouth. Tell me more about your goals? Did you go to acting school at all and do you want to pursue acting full-time or a bit of both with the directing too?

 Yes! I’ve always made films. Me and my long-term collaborator, Cameron Moffat, have been creating things since we were 7. Perhaps partly since when growing up I wasn’t allowed to watch TV, so in a strange way that was how I’d entertain myself. But as I grew up, I fell in love with watching films and thinking about stories. We’re working on a number of projects at the moment and have our eyes on a horror film next! I know I want to work in this industry in some form, it’s all I’ve ever thought about. I think ideally, I’d do both! That’s Ideally.

Left Full look Dior Men

Right Full look Emporio Armani

…

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Bruno McGuffie

Fashion by Steven Huang

EIC Michael Marson

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Grooming by Charlie Cullen using Babyliss pro and Woolf kings X hair products

Photographer’s assistant Charlie Cullen

Stylist’s assistant Niamh Mannion 

COOL COMPLEXITY

HE MIGHT LOOK LIKE THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK, BUT BABY-FACED 22-YEAR-OLD ACTOR GRIFFIN GLUCK, HAS ALREADY STARRED IN HUGELY SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS INCLUDING NETFLIX’S TALL GIRL, LOCKE & KEY, MIDDLE SCHOOL: THE WORST YEARS OF YOUR LIFE, BIG TIME ADOLESCENCE, AND WAS NOMINATED FOR A YOUNG ARTIST AWARD FOR HIS ROLE IN THE COMEDY FILM JUST GO WITH IT.

GLUCK CONTINUES TO ASCEND TO NEW REALMS OF INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION, LANDING HIMSELF THE ROLE OF LUKE CHAMBERS IN THE MUCH-ANTICIPATED SECOND SEASON OF ANTHOLOGY DRAMA SERIES CRUEL SUMMER – AND THIS TIME AROUND, FANS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BACK TO THE SUMMER OF Y2K, WHERE LOVE TRIANGLES HAVE DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. AS WE CATCH UP WITH HIM ON ZOOM, GLUCK IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSED AGAINST A BACKGROUND OF A CHARMING OLD TOWN IN ITALY (HE LIKES TO TRAVEL), FOR A CHAT ABOUT PLAYING LEAD LOVE INTERESTS AND STEPPING UP HIS STYLE GAME.

Left Coat Loewe

Right Top, jacket and pants Givenchy, shoes Dr. Martens

So, let’s talk about Season 2 of Cruel Summer, with all its twists and turns, and your character Luke who’s entangled in a bit of a love triangle. You’ve also played the main love interest before in the Tall Girl movies. What do you think makes you the perfect leading man?

Oh, I’m the last person you should ask! Every time I get one of these jobs, I feel like I’m robbing the studios, because I’m actually just a regular guy. I think it’s just what’s most available at my age, for the demographic. Most of the roles I’m going out for are either a nerd or love interest, because that’s what I think most of the stories being written are about right now.

Which one do you prefer, the nerd or the love interest?

A solid mix of both!

Left Coat Givenchy

Right Sweater Kidill, Undershirt Givenchy, Pants Good Fight, Shoes Dr. Martens

Well, speaking of leading men, one fashion brand has their eye on you, as you’ve been collaborating with CELINE for a while now. How would describe your relationship with fashion since they took you under their wing?

I didn’t have the best fashion sense growing up, but that’s slowly started to evolve now. When I’m travelling with work, I really enjoy walking around and shopping and I care about how things fit, and how I present myself. I also think growing up in the public eye made me care about how people view me, and I wanted to look better, less nerdy! When Celine joined the picture years ago when they sent me some gifts and I went to one of their shows, it definitely helped me step up my fashion game – at least when it comes to events and red carpets. I thought, “oh ok, this is what I could be dressing and looking like.” Celine dressed me for the Cruel Summer premiere too, and I don’t think I ever want to go back to dressing myself!

Well fashion is an important element in this next season of Cruel Summer, as it’s full of Y2K trends. I bet you just loved that whole flip-flops and cargo shorts look, right? Does the costume / wardrobe aspect help when getting into character?

Oh, I’m not into flip flops and cargo shorts at all! I do wear Birkenstocks, but they’re a solid fashion choice. I think for any role, wardrobe can tell you a lot about how the character views themselves. That’s the fun thing about fashion, that you can get into the relative psychology of it all; it’s like if a person dresses a certain way, it says a certain thing about them. It’s not always a negative or positive thing, but it helps you figure out who that person is, it shows personality. So, for any character I take on, even if I don’t like how they dress, it immediately tells you that my character chose to wear this stuff today, in this world that this person exists in, they don’t have a wardrobe person choosing their clothes for them – they choose to wear these clothes every day. So, I didn’t like Luke’s clothes in Cruel Summer, but I had to wear them every single day and say, “Luke really likes how he looks!”

Full looks Celine Homme

What about the music, does that also help with immersing yourself in Luke’s shoes? Did you make playlists of any iconic 90s tunes?

Music didn’t play as huge a role for Luke, weirdly enough, I just thought that Luke wasn’t a huge music guy, and it was never part of the script that he listened to music, other than at parties and stuff. So, it didn’t seem all that important to me. That being said, everyone in the cast had early to late 90s and 2000s playlists going, which we would use to get into the vibe and mindset of being in that era.

So maybe Luke isn’t into music, but are you?

I’m a big music fan! I have a speaker that I would bring to set every day and I would let anyone connect to it, and play anything from the 90s to the 2000s, but I had one rule that if I said, “skip”, they had to skip!

Left Celine Homme

Right Top, scarf and shorts Good Fight, shoes Givenchy

There’s obviously a lot of lovey-dovey songs as a backdrop soundtrack to this next season of Cruel Summer. Do you have your own go-to track that you listen to when you’re in love or break-up situ?

There’s one song, I love You So by The Walters. I listened to that a lot when we were filming, and in my own past breakups.

There’s a real nostalgic element with the show and its soundtrack, because they’re relatable to us all, in that sense of finding yourself as a teenager and belonging to something. Did you draw on any personal teen high school experiences to really get into the essence of Luke’s character?

Absolutely. That was what attracted me to the role in the first place. Luke’s just a silly teenage boy who’s making a lot of mistakes, and the best way to learn from something, is to make that mistake and let it teach you. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life, like in romantic or personal relationships with people, and I like to think I’ve learned and become a better person because of them. So, it was really nice for me to be able to get on set and try to be that Luke character and draw from all those mistakes. It was almost cathartic in a way, it felt weirdly, badly good, to revisit those mistakes and see them in a different context.

Left Jacket Kidill, shorts Goodfight, shoes Dr. Martens

Right Full look Acne Studios

The show has a strong fanbase, and there is a pressure with every next season to live up to the last one.  Did you feel that pressure at any point, coming in for S2, not wanting to disappoint the fans who likely have high expectations?

Obviously, the pressure was there, but I tried not to think about it too much. In my mind I knew we were going into a new season, that had a new cast, a new storyline and it had nothing to do with the first season at all. So, in my mind it was a new project entirely, with the same name and structure, but other than that, it was a new show. The pressure mostly came from me wanting to make a good season of TV, and what we’re doing is so wildly different, and I hope they take this show for what it is now. We’re not trying to do season one better than they did, or do the same thing, we’re trying to do something different, and I want people to enjoy it just as much.

Were you given any freedom to explore Luke’s character and maybe put your own stamp on him, and was the show in any way challenging for you at all?

I had no say in Luke’s direction and obviously I’m the one portraying him, but in terms of the things he did and said, I had zero control. Our show runner was very particular about the lines and wanted to make sure the lines were said exactly as they were written, which is a new thing for me. I’ve always done shows where I thrive best when I have that room to play and explore the character, and if I feel like maybe he would say something different, then I’ll say something different! That’s my background, that’s the space I feel most comfortable in, being able to improvise a little bit and get to sit with the character and not be so word perfect. I feel that’s when I lose the sense of being in the moment. It was a challenge for me personally, I would’ve liked to have had the freedom to let loose with Luke. That being said, the writing is fantastic!
I’m nervous as to whether people will like this season, as it’s a job that took me out of my comfort zone, which is good, as that’s how you grow as an actor.

Left Full look Loewe

Right Top, jacket and pants Givenchy, shoes Dr. Martens

…

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Emilia Staugaard

Fashion by Donna Lisa

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Grooming by Zaheer Sukhnandan

Stylist's assistant Alex Levy

INTERPLANETARY HEROINE

YOU MAY RECOGNISE BRITISH ACTRESS ELLA-RAE SMITH FROM NETFLIX’S THRILLER THE STRANGER, IN WHICH SHE PLAYED THE CHARACTER OF DAISY, ALONGSIDE HER OTHER APPEARANCES AS NIX IN INTO THE BADLANDS, PHOEBE PARKER-FOX IN BBC’S TV THRILLER SERIES, CLIQUE, AND ISLA IN THE INDIE FILM SWEETHEART. NOW SHE’S REIGNING AS QUEEN SARETH, THE POWERFUL MONARCH OF A GALACTIC EMPIRE, IN APPLE TV+’S SCI-FI EPIC FOUNDATION. WE CHATTED WITH THE RISING YOUNG TALENT ABOUT DRESSING AS A QUEEN, VS DRESSING FOR A MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Left Coat and dress N°21, earrings Valentino

Right Full look Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

You’re appearing in season 2 of Foundation on Apple TV+ – had Foundation been on your radar before you joined; had you seen the first season?
Foundation had been on my radar for a few years as I’d auditioned for a role in season one. It was only after I got the role of Queen Sareth that season one began airing, so I was watching it with the rest of the world alongside getting ready to join the cast.

Queen Sareth as a character is such a positive and relatable force for women, particularly in how she’s confident, fearless and intelligent, and also not afraid to show her vulnerability and emotions. What was it like to play such a powerful monarch?
I loved playing Queen Sareth, she is so well written and the journey she goes on is tough but ultimately really rewarding. It was really interesting to approach the idea of entering an arranged marriage with someone you feel is your enemy and I love how she manages to resolve the situation. The way she leads as a monarch is a complete contrast to Brother Day; he has always known he would be in charge and is actively seeking to prolong that rather than pass it to the next in line. Sareth did not expect to rule her own planet, let alone theirs! Where Day chooses violence and aggression, she chooses to listen and show compassion. They’re a terrible match. I hope audiences will root for her and feel satisfied with how the series ends for her.

Well, her introduction to the empire brings a fresh perspective on motives and power dynamics.  What are her true intentions in having a biological baby with Brother Day? Can you enlighten us?
Sareth actually isn’t interested in having Day’s baby, that and the marriage are very much his desires. Before meeting her, his expectation is a passive bride who will mother his children... He doesn’t even question whether or not any of this is something she wants. In choosing her as his bride he attempts to take her power, to reduce her to a body that will create his heirs. Without spoilers, she works to regain power in a very interesting way. It’s a situation where for her own safety, she allows him to believe he is in control which in some ways mirrors the relationship between Day and Demerzel.

Left Dress and shoes Isabel Marant, jewellery Sweetlimejuice

Right Full look Valentino

So how else did you prepare for the role?
I don’t often have specific preparation techniques per se, I just read the scripts, delve into the imaginary world, and begin crafting my character based on what I can learn from the script and conversations with the other creatives. I think my main element of preparation going into any role is relaxing into my new surroundings, being comfortable in my workspace. Feeling safe, forming positive working relationships and friendships with my colleagues allows me to do my best work. I guess psychologically, it allows me to be more vulnerable in my work when I know people have my back.

I imagine the costumes, hair and make-up all helped you to transform into character and embody the role of Queen Sareth too? Do you have a favourite look?
Absolutely! My favourite look is a one shoulder sky blue gown printed with a cloud-like pattern that was crafted in silk and floated in the air as I walked. It was my last costume to be made and I can remember the first fitting, it was honestly the same level of excitement as trying on a wedding dress. I was blown away by the artistry of the dress. The magnificently talented seamstress Emma Reeve, who previously worked in couture, worked on all my pieces and her craftsmanship is impeccable. I’m so grateful to her and our costume designer Jane Petrie for creating the most beautiful costumes I’ve ever worn.

What was the dynamic like on set between you and other cast members? Did working with people like Lee Pace and Laura Birn inspire you in terms of evolving as an actor, learning new things and improving your craft?
In its essence acting is reacting, so working with super talented actors only makes my job easier. Finding yourself suspended in a moment which in actuality is imaginary, but you are both so deeply committed to existing within it, feels like electricity. You know the shape of the scene, but when you’re both living in it like that you have the ability to surprise each other and respond accordingly. It’s like emotional ping pong. I felt that working with both Laura Birn and Lee Pace; they are incredible actors, and both were an absolute joy to work with.

Do you have any personal highlights from being on set?
Throughout my career I’ve worked in a lot of really cold places, but Foundation saw me in much warmer locations. It was dreamy being outdoors in the sun between setups with my cast mates, chatting and drinking iced coffees. Though saying that, the built sets in studios were also insane. The palace on Trantor, the mural and Sareth and Day’s bedroom are all full-scale sets. My favourite thing was the dining table which was beautifully laid with an intricate space styled feast.

What do you hope for your character in future seasons… maybe we’ll see your home planet, Cloud Dominion?
No spoilers... but I would love to see Cloud Dominion. I love the idea of a Queendom run by Sareth, I imagine it would be a complete contrast to Empire. Also, from a production design perspective, based off the season two costumes and makeup, I think the planet itself would look magical - I see it as something like flying above clouds at sunset. But those are my imaginings - not a reality!

Left Shirt Isabel Marant, necklace Dries Criel

Right Coat and dress N°21, earrings Valentino, shoes Miu Miu

You had a fantastic imagination as a child too, as I read that you liked to create imaginary worlds and dramas with your dolls – was acting a dream career for you then?
Before I discovered acting, writing was my favourite thing. I think ultimately, I have a love for storytelling in all forms; song lyrics, novels, my friends explaining in great detail some crazy thing that’s happened in their lives. My Barbie and Bratz dolls were basically living in a soap opera, with the singular Ken likely being the main source of their drama. I feel like most of my childhood was spent in my imagination; with dolls, playing make believe with my friends and writing stories. Aside from the dolls, not much has changed.

Is there a specific genre you’d like to explore?
I’ve been a huge Wes Anderson fan for years (my fave is The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) so working with him is my ultimate dream. Greta Gerwig, of course. I love her and Noah Baumbach’s writing, specifically their work together on Frances Ha. But I have a very long list of dream directors that I’d love to work with: Amma Asante, Steve McQueen, Barry Jenkins, Jonathon Entwistle, Ben Sharrock, Damien Chazelle, Bar Lurhman and Joe Wright.

I’d love to do a musical too. I can’t think of anything better than singing and dancing all day long. I’m by no means a trained musical theatre performer, I’m just a huge fan of musicals and I know I would love the process. I’d also love to do something historical; I would really enjoy deep diving into research on something or someone.

Full look Miu Miu

You’re also a writer I was told – what stories do you like to tell and what’s your process? Will there be a new release soon?
I’ve been secretly scribbling away at some ideas, though I’m not sure if or when I’ll share them with the wider world. I’ve always written in different forms and even though I’ve been reading scripts for years, it’s only recently that I’ve begun writing them myself. I think the overarching theme of all my stories is my humour and tone. I’m a 1998 baby, just on the cusp of Gen Z, so I hope my voice is relatable to that audience in particular.

Well, audiences will also know you from those familiar Rimmel, ‘Live the London look!’ ads, as you’ve modelled for many brands too. You were born in Bristol, but you live in London now, so what’s your London look then, are you into style and do you prefer red carpet/night out or casual?
I left Bristol and came to London when I was seventeen and spent two years in-between in Brighton. I love all three cities, but Bristol will always feel like home. I love how anonymous you feel in London and how no matter how long I live here, I’ll never know every corner of it. But Bristol... Bristol is just so much fun. Not to mention its proximity to the South Coast, Dorset and Devon and Cornwall. I recommend a trip to anyone who hasn’t been!

As for my wardrobe, it’s an eclectic mix of both. I sort of collect clothes, so I have lots of unique special occasion pieces in my wardrobe and then my day-to-day tomboyish style, usually completed with a pair of Dr Martens. I also have to divide my wardrobe between what’s dog friendly and not - I’ve had too many pale trousers muddied and delicate jumpers snagged over the years!

I saw on your IG stories that you went to the Womad festival this year. In a time when young people feel more fragile, do you think music festivals help to restore hope, joy and spread love and support to everybody?
My family and I have been going to WOMAD since I was little. My earliest memory of going is wading through thick sticky mud to watch Nile Rogers & Chic with my mum. I think musical festivals create a sense of freedom that can be hard to find in normal life - they are essentially adult playgrounds where a collection of likeminded people gathers to dance, eat and laugh before going back to their individual lives. They definitely restore joy and spread love; besides I much prefer dancing outdoors than indoors!

It’s impossible to think of festival style of course without thinking of the Glasto days of Kate Moss or Alexa Chung. What’s your vibe then, the look we’ll all be talking about and trying to copy years from now…?
I have to say, I pick function over fashion at festivals. A bumbag and comfortable shoes are essential, but my outfit choices are heavily weather dependent. If the sun is out, then I’ll be putting thought into styling my craziest and most colourful clothes, but if the English weather turns and the heavens open, then it’s survival mode: wellies and waterproofs all the way!

…

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Ho Hai Tran

Fashion by Steven Huang

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Hair by Stefan Bertin

Make-Up by Emily Wood

Set Design by Tom Hope

Photographer’s assistant Josh Hippolyte

Stylist’s assistant Niamh Mannion

Set designer assistant Titus Hope

THE GOOD, THE BAD, THE VILLAIN

PLAYING THE BAD GUY DOESN’T COME NATURALLY TO SAMUEL BOTTOMLEY. BUT YOU’D NEVER BE ABLE TO TELL BY WATCHING HOW TO HAVE SEX. HIS LATEST MOVIE MAKES HIM THE CATALYST FOR A DARK TWIST IN A SEEMINGLY LIGHTHEARTED FILM. THE BAFTA NOMINEE CONFESSES IT WASN’T AN EASY TASK TO BE THE VILLAIN, HAVING TO DIVE INTO THE MIND OF A PERSON WHOSE ACTIONS HE DESPISED. THE SCARIEST PART, HOWEVER, WAS THAT HE WAS PLAYING SOMEONE WE’VE ALL MET, THE TYPE OF MAN THAT CAN BE AT EVERY PARTY, IN EVERY BAR. BOTTOMLEY’S FIRST TIME PLAYING A DARK CHARACTER MIGHT BE ONE OF THE LAST “FIRSTS” HE HAS LEFT. THROUGHOUT HIS FOURTEEN-YEAR-OLD CAREER, THE YOUNG ACTOR HAS ACHIEVED MORE THAN MOST CAN DREAM OF. BUT HIS HORIZONS ARE STILL DISTANT. DESPITE HIS EARLY START, THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

Left Full look Versace

Right Coat Loewe

You’ve mentioned that How to Have Sex feels like a movie that speaks to your generation. Why do you think that is?
I think a lot of it was in the language they used. Reading the script was just like hearing someone who went to school with you. It just felt so free-flowing. There were also so many moments that were improvised that made it all so much more authentic.

Do you enjoy having that freedom to improvise or do you prefer a more rigid script?
I think it depends. If I’m playing something closer to me - I mean, if I’m playing a Northern young man who comes from the working class, things will come a lot easier to me. In that instance, it’s good because my experience can offer something to the role I’m playing, especially with my dialect and slang. But if I’m playing a 1914 servant, there’s a limited number of contributions I can make. But creatively, I’m always looking for ways to pitch in my own thing.

Left Full look Miu Miu

Right Coat Loewe, pants Miu Miu, shoes J.M.Weston, watch Omega

How to Have Sex brings up a lot of heavy issues. What kind of conversations do you hope it catalyzes?
I think it’s a reflective film that will make young men look into themselves and ask themselves very scary questions. I think a lot of those happened on set.

What was the set like? Because it is a party movie in its essence, but it has a deeper meaning…
I think everyone felt a strong sense of responsibility to bring “it” every single day. We all had a sense that this was a movie that could be almost educational. I think this could be played in schools. This is something I would like to show my kids when I have them. We all felt a responsibility to keep it authentic. When you’re working on a movie, a lot of things can disappear from the script, and we really didn’t want that. This was our baby.

Your character is the catalyst for the dramatic turn in the movie. Do you find it hard to empathize when you’re playing the “bad guy”?
Definitely. Even though I think his actions come from a place of the lack of education, he is very selfish. I have never felt sorry for him in any way. To be honest, I hated him. He was one of the toughest characters I’ve ever played. At moments I thought, “Why couldn’t I have Shaun’s [Thomas] character?” But then I got myself back to Earth. There was a reason why I was playing him. So, once I got over the initial stage, I was very proud I pulled it off.

I think that’s what was interesting, he is a very specific character…
That’s the thing, he doesn’t think he’s a bad guy, which is something everyone experiences. Everyone thinks they’re the hero in their own right. That stuck with me throughout my entire creative process. The thing is… We all know someone like him. That’s the scariest part, there’s a guy like that at every party.

Left Full look Versace

Right Coat Loewe

Even though the movie has such a dark undertone, you filmed in an amazing place,  Crete. Did you manage to enjoy it while you were there?
100%. Shaun and I had already worked together, so we were running around having fun. My dad had just passed his sailing license, so I had him come out with my mom. We rented a boat. We dropped anchor on the beach of Malia and… the anchor is still there. We dropped it on some rocks. So, there’s a piece of us forever in that sea forever. We made it out in one piece, but I had to swim 18 meters to the bottom of the ocean to try and pull it off. We had a blast.

The conversation around child actors has resurfaced recently. Since you started in the business so young, what was your experience like?
I think when people hear “child actor”, they instantly think of Home Alone. But, to me, I remember understanding that I was living in a special situation. That’s all it’s ever been for me, knowing how lucky I am. My mom and dad reminded me of my privilege. It does bring its challenges. I think growing up, while you’re still discovering things about yourself, it might not be the best thing. But for me, I have always just wanted to act. I would have been very upset if I had never had that opportunity. 

Since you started so young, did you ever think about doing something else?
When I did my first movie, Tyrannosaur, I remember my mom asking me, “Do you want to be an actor now?” And I told her, “No, I want to be a cameraman.” That lasted all but that day. Ever since then, all I’ve wanted was to act. I think at some point, later in my career, I’d love to create my own stories. I want to create my own environment on a set. To write and direct.

Left Full look Miu Miu

Right Full look Prada

Do you have an idea of what that story might be?
I always try to sit down and figure it out. So far nothing special has come out. But the number of lives I’ve had throughout my career, I have to at least have one good idea. I know that it’s going to come at some point, I just don’t know when.

You’ve worked with some amazing actors at a very young age. As you reach your adulthood, how do you think they’ve contributed to the person you are now?
I think the generation of actors that was just above mine has had a real influence on me. Jack O’Connell, George MacKay, and Alex Roach all had a massive impact on me. They were young too but still much older than me at the time. I remember Jack telling me to walk into every audition and, in his words, “fucking smash it”. No matter if I liked the script or not, go into an audition and make an impression on every person you meet. That’s something I carry with me. Even now, in this interview, I want to make a great impression.

Since you’ve already achieved so much in your career, what goals do you have?
Lots of things. There are still loads of people I would love to work with. I’m nowhere near the middle of my career. I still have so many good films and series to come along. For now, I just love to work. I still want to make films with my favourite directors. People like Guy Ritchie, Shane Meadows, or Quentin Tarantino. I know there’s such a massive dream to fill out. But I’ve achieved others, I’ve worked with Tim Roth. It can happen, I’m in the right place to have it happen. In this industry, I never feel too silly dreaming about anything.

Interview by Pedro Vasconcelos

Photography by David Sessions

Fashion by Steven Huang

Grooming by Sven Bayerbach at Carol Hayes Management using Daimon Barber

Casting by Imagemachine CS

Stylist assistant Elisa Carcano

THE ROAD AHAED

FRANKIE CORIO SAYS THAT HER DAY-TO-DAY LIFE HAS NOT CHANGED THAT MUCH SINCE STARRING IN CHARLOTTE WELLS’ POIGNANT INDIE EXPLORING A FATHER-DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIP, AFTERSUN – WELL, MAYBE EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT SHE NOW HAS A FAN PAGE ON INSTAGRAM. THE FILM HAS BEEN CORIO’S DEBUT ON THE SCREEN AND THE 13-YEAR-OLD SCOTTISH ACTRESS EXCELLED IN HER TOUCHING PORTRAYAL OF SOPHIE, SHOWING HER INCREDIBLE EMOTIONAL RANGE THAT IS SURE TO BE SEEN IN MANY FEATURES TO COME. THANKS TO THE PROJECT, CORIO ALSO GAINED A NEW FRIEND – HER CO-STAR AND OSCAR NOMINEE, PAUL MESCAL (THE TWO ARE STILL IN TOUCH AND OFTEN SEND EACH OTHER FUNNY MEMES AND PHOTOS). WHAT’S MESCAL’S MOST DAD-LIKE QUALITY? “LET’S BE HONEST, IT’S DEFINITELY THE WAY HE DANCES!”

Left Jacket and shoes Miu Miu, skirt Andersson Bell, tights Falke

Right Knitwear Paul Smith, hat stylist’s own

Aftersun was your very first role - what surprised you the most about the way films are made?
The thing that surprised me the most was that the scenes are not shot in the order of the story. Also, just how many people it takes to create a film!

What did you find most helpful about understanding the experiences that your character was going through? Were you aware of how the story would end?
Charlotte, the director, didn’t want me to know what was really going on so that I would remain a bit more innocent. I think it was easier for me to be able to do it without knowing what was happening. But I understood it all once I saw the film.

Left Knitwear Paul Smith, shoes and bag Zadig&Voltaire, hat stylist’s own

Right Hat Pronounce, cardigan Pariser, shirt Christian Dior

In the movie, you have a very believable father-daughter relationship with your co-star, Paul Mescal. How did you guys build that bond off-screen?
Paul and I came to Turkey two weeks prior to the shoot to get to know each other but I don’t think we needed that much time – we got close very quickly after just a couple of days.

Did you do any fun activities during those two weeks?
We would do things that people usually do on holiday. For example, I never knew how to play pool, so he taught me how to and we would play it, sometimes with my actual dad as well. Also, we did a lot of swimming. And a lot of eating ice cream and waffles. [Laughs]

Left Jacket, skirt and shoes Prada, top 18.01 archive, tights Falke

Right Jacket Miu Miu

Who was better at pool? Paul or your dad?
Oh, that one’s hard!

Or maybe you were the best out of the three?
I wish, I definitely was not! I would say Paul, but I think my dad might be sad that I said that. [Laughs]

Are you and Paul still in touch?
Yeah, we still text. I actually text him quite a lot and send him quite random things. He probably gets sick of me messaging him a lot but he deals with it, so it’s all fine.

Left Jumper Isabel Marant, necklaces Slim Barrett, jeans 18.01 archive

Right Full look Miu Miu

[Laughs] What was the last thing you sent him?
I think it was a photo that someone took of him, a paparazzi photo.

What was the scene in the film that brought you the most joy while shooting it?
I really enjoyed jumping into the pool with my clothes on. I don’t think I’ll ever get to do that again. [Laughs] Also, the dancing scene.

Having this brilliant experience, is acting something you want to pursue more now?
Yes, I definitely want to keep doing it more in the future – it’s the best job you can have!

Jumper Isabel Marant, necklaces Slim Barrett, hat stylist’s own

What do you find most exciting about being an actor?
Probably going to the award shows. It’s really cool because it makes you feel like a celebrity.

Which of the events that you went to felt most glamorous?
The BAFTA awards.

What do you remember the most about that night?
The fact that I lost my ring that was borrowed and I was freaking out that I would get in trouble. I lost it on the floor and then at the end, everyone in the rows next to me was helping me look for it and we found it under someone’s seat. Also, obviously, the fact that Charlotte won awards – that was really cool!

Finally, what’s a film that you love to watch over and over again?
The Parent Trap. It just brings me so much joy!

Left Hat Pronounce, Cardigan Pariser, shirt and skirt Christian Dior, tights Falke, shoes Zadig&Voltaire

Right Knitwear Paul Smith, hat stylist’s own

Interview by Martin Onufrowicz

Photography by Emilia Staugaard

Fashion by Nathan Henry

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Hair & Make-up by Mairi Gordon using Milk Makeup & Eleven Australia

Stylist’s assistant Rachel Allison

SUPERNATURAL HIGH

MAKING HIS TV DEBUT ON OUR SCREENS AS HARLAN BRIGGS, IN THE SUPERNATURAL DRAMA, WOLF PACK, TYLER LAWRENCE GRAY HAS ALREADY EARNED HIMSELF A PACK OF FANS HUNGRY LIKE THE WOLF (PUN INTENDED), FOR MORE OF THIS TEEN BEAST FAVOURITE!

WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT HIS CHARACTER IN THE SERIES, WHICH COMBINES TEEN ANGST, POLICE INVESTIGATIONS AND WEREWOLVES IN ONE PRETTY PACKAGE. AWOOOOOL!

You’re a newcomer to the industry but have been crazy popular on TikTok creating entertaining and relatable content for your audience. So how was it making your TV series debut in Wolf Pack, and did the social media interaction help your confidence with the way you engaged on screen and on set with the cast?
I definitely think that it helped prepare me for what the outcome of the show would feel like, having that attention from people whether it’s positive or negative, and having to be okay with either. It also led me on a path to more creativity and critical thinking when it comes to entertainment. However, I had been studying and training acting before I started social media, so I really consider it more of a way to showcase your personality and talents.

Left top Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

Well, you’re showcasing your acting ability to play diverse and interesting characters, like Harlan Briggs in Wolf Pack, as he’s a gay student who moonlights as a werewolf! What was your approach in portraying a LGBTQ character?
One of the things that I love the most about acting is that it challenges you to get out of your comfort zone, to portray someone or something that is unique. Harlan Briggs’ sexual orientation is different than mine, along with his appearance after a full moon! So, although I don’t share some of these qualities with the character whose portrayal is a gay werewolf, I was excited to embody this kind of role. Whenever I’m bringing a character to life, I don’t let any mental barriers get in the way. I’ve been inspired by so many actors and quickly realised that my all-time favourites can separate their own personas and egos from a character they’re playing. The true art of acting is to live in your characters shoes and tell their story. It was an honour to play Harlan alongside the cast on this show, and to be able to represent the LGBTQ community with such a fun, charismatic character.

What’s the fans’ reaction been to Harlan, and do you love all this new attention coming your way?
I really couldn’t have had a more positive reaction to Harlan’s character! When you do projects that are going to be seen by a large audience, you have to be prepared for all kinds of thoughts and reactions from viewers. The positive almost completely outweighed the negative feedback for me, and I really couldn’t be more thankful to all the supporters of the show. The feeling of not only embodying a character, but having people tell you how much they enjoyed watching him, is truly an incredible feeling.

Left Full look Prada

There’s a bit (a lot) of skin and a more adult tone to this series. When you booked the role, were you nervous about your butt also making its debut on screen?!
It did make me nervous at first, especially for my family and friends to see it! But at the same time, it was kind of funny to me. The more I realised it’s no big deal, the more I was okay with it. Also, I’ve always been into body building and aesthetics and whenever I see those people on stage, they’re not scared to expose most of their bodies, as they’re passionate about what they do. I’m passionate about acting and how actors will often stretch to the extremes for the love of their craft and work.

What were the biggest challenges for you then with this being your first major project, and what were the best bits about being on set?
The biggest challenge was getting over my nerves and how high the stakes were regarding the production and the level of talent all around me. Chloe, who plays Luna in the show, gave me great advice, and helped me realise that I was there for a reason, and to just let go and have fun. The best part about being on set was meeting and getting along with the entire cast and crew, they become your family for the entire time the project shoots, and it’s a very wholesome thing. It was great to watch all our characters in the show grow and change as each episode progressed.

The series is from writer / producer Jeff Davis who created the Teen Wolf drama. Did you ever see that show, and what kind of research or preparation did you have to do for this role? Like, did you have to learn all about the behaviour of wolves, or practising how to make the ‘awooo’ sound?!
Yes, I’ve seen a lot of Teen Wolf and I obviously watched even more of it when I booked this role. I did research how wolves interacted with each other in a pack because I wanted to have that knowledge, and Jeff is a brilliant writer who integrated those behaviours into all our characters, even when we were in human form speaking to one another. When it came to the growls and noises, we practised different variations of sounds, and Jeff chose the ones he thought were the most unique!

The series also marks the return of TV sci-fi royalty, Sarah Michelle Gellar too! As part of the new generation of teenage sci-fi stars, did you understand the gravitas of sharing a storyline with the Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
For sure! I remember the first thing that myself, Chloe, Bella, and Armani did was watch Cruel Intentions. It was a little intimidating, but it also gave us the reassurance that this show was going to be even cooler than we anticipated it might be. Sarah is an icon and just being able to talk to her, and then get to work with her too, was unreal!

Pants Dsquared2

What did you learn from being on set with her and working with other seasoned professionals, are you an observer, taking it all in to apply to your next acting projects?
Working with actors like Sarah, Rodrigo and Lanny was so special. They have decades of life and acting experience which made me nervous, yet eager to pick their brains and learn from them. They all have extremely different approaches. Sarah was always cracking jokes and gave me great advice on what my goals should be, and how not to get distracted in an industry like this. Rodrigo had such a deep passion for acting which I found so beautiful to watch. Having the opportunity to be part of the show with them, and build relationships with them, and even some of their family members, has truly been a blessing.

Left Top Isabel Marant

Right Sweater R13, shorts Ron Dorff

So, what’s in store for Harlan… will there be another season and what do you hope for him?
I hope there will be another season considering where we left off with him and everyone else in season one. Harlan needs to get out of jail and save his romance with Cyrus, but he also needs to find the rest of his pack and family to make sure they are all safe. He’ll have a lot of emotional ups and downs once he finds out who his real family are. I’m sure whoever watches the show is already imagining the possibilities, which are endless!

The show tells a story about finding your pack. Who are the people in your own life who have shaped the person you are today?
My family, who I thank for everything. My brother, sister, mom, and dad all deserve the best that this world has to offer. They are the most trustworthy and genuine people in my life, and I will always stay very close with them. Some of the cast members from Wolf Pack have also become my best friends because we shared such a special experience together. I look for people that help me to work my hardest and stay focused on my goals in life.

Each of the wolves in the Wolf Pack has a different ability, with Harlan and your twin Luna having enhanced senses of hearing and smell. If you could have an enhanced sense in real life, what would it be, and what would you use it to do?
As much as flying or a super strength would be fun, I would choose the ability to time travel. Being able to experience moments so deep in the past or so far in the future would be beyond profound! To relive some of the smallest but greatest moments of my life would bring tears to my eyes. An ability like that is almost too overwhelming to even fathom, so maybe I would just stick with super strength or speed, something fun haha!

Was acting always on the cards for you? You mentioned your passion for bodybuilding, and we can see that on your social media. So, perhaps your next role could be a big action hero or lead in a physically demanding movie, maybe a Marvel sci-fi adventure is next…?
I didn’t even consider studying acting until I was about 16. Which coincidentally was around the same time I lost a lot of weight and started getting into the gym and taking it seriously. I’ve always had a creative mind and enjoyed many forms of art including sketching and sports… yes, I do think sports are an art form, haha! I gained confidence in the gym, which I guess has carried over into acting, and it would be a dream to combine both my passions and play a superhero, soldier, athlete, or villain – any role that could also showcase my physique. I also love dinosaurs and was a huge fan of all the Jurassic Park movies when I was younger, so a dinosaur-themed movie or about a sci-fi creature would be really cool as well!

Left Jacket K-Way

Finally, the last line of your IG bio reads, ‘Just trying to spread a message’. What’s that message then? And do you have a special one for your fans and our readers?
I want to spread my empathetic values and insight on how I feel about people and the world we live in. What I mean by this, is showing people that you can be whoever you want to be in this life, and that you should never take anything for granted. Anything you think about doing or achieving is possible if you don’t let mental barriers and people hold you back. To my fans and anyone reading this, please don’t compare yourself or your life to others! From someone who has suffered from severe dysmorphia with my appearance, there are no expectations for you or your appearance. Live your life the way you dream of and push yourself in the process!

…

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Hadar Pitchon

Fashion by Gorge Villalpando

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Grooming by Joanna Faivre

A GREAT INSTINCT

ALESSANDRO NIVOLA IS AN ARTIST WHO EXCELS IN CREATIVITY. WITH HIS PERFORMANCES IN GRIPPING DRAMAS LIKE THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK, AMERICAN HUSTLE OR DISOBEDIENCE, AS WELL AS HIS UPCOMING TAKE ON A VILLAIN IN THE SUPERHERO MOVIE KRAVEN THE HUNTER, THE AMERICAN ACTOR IS THE MASTER OF BUILDING NUANCED CHARACTERS. THE KEY TO HIS SUCCESS? FIXATING ON REAL-LIFE PEOPLE WHO IN HIS EYES CONNECT TO THE ROLE HE’S PLAYING AND LEARNING TO IMITATE THEM DOWN TO THE SMALLEST DETAIL. FOR US, NIVOLA TALKS ABOUT THE BASIS OF HIS INTRIGUING PROCESS, FEELING FEARLESS WHILE ACTING AND HIS ATTACHMENT TO THE ITALIAN ISLAND OF SARDINIA.

Full look Prada

Over the years, you became known for your superb ability to disappear into your characters - what is the research process that you like to delve into for each of your roles?
I fixate on a real person. Someone I know, someone I’ve met somewhere, or someone I’ve seen on YouTube. And I teach myself to imitate him. It doesn’t matter if the person has anything to do with the world of the film or bears any direct resemblance to the character as described in the script. It may just be that his behaviour, way of talking, facial expressions, rhythms, confidence or low self-esteem, feelings about his life, his relationships, or his worldview, are useful to me to bring something very specific to the character and help tell the story of the film. A couple of examples: to develop a character in an upcoming project, I used a family friend named Philip Nikolayev.  He is a Russian poet who teaches at Harvard - a far cry from an oligarch turned crypto-currency villain who transforms into a raging monster as a result of a biochemical treatment gone wrong. For a role in one of David O. Russell’s movies, I went on YouTube and typed in “Angry New Yorker”.  I found a video captioned “Small, Angry Man Yells at Trumpet Player in New York City” and he became my model.

Teaching myself to imitate these people is a long and involved process that is different with every role and can include listening to voice recordings all day while I walk around, dialect coaching, recording my own voice a million times and listening to it back, listening to the music the character likes, reading books, watching videos, learning new skills that to him are second nature (I learned to play polo, to play Scott Joplin songs on the piano, and to speak decent French for a movie I made about Coco Chanel and her lover Boy Capel), historical research, physical work to change my body, experiments with hairstyles and becoming familiar with objects that he might use habitually – a knife, a pen, a hat, Orthodox tefillin, a Bible – anything. That’s just a few. There’s no methodical way to do this. But the goal is to find what is specific to this one person in the minutest detail. And these things then start to change the way I think and feel. By the time we are shooting, I don’t have to think at all. What happens then I can’t explain.



I read that you have a principle of choosing films based on the directors that you want to work with - who are some that are on your list right now?
Jonathan Glazer, Sofia Coppola, Brady Corbet, Ruben Östlund, Joachim Trier, Edward Berger, Bennett Miller, Steve McQueen, Shannon Murphy, Martin Scorsese, Emily Mortimer, Bong Joon-ho and Ben Stiller. But I wish Miloš Forman was still alive.

Left Full look Miu Miu

Right Suit Zegna, shirt Nanushka, shoes Louis Vuitton

You’ve played a couple of villains throughout your career - what are the biggest joys of playing a bad guy?
Most well-written villains don’t fit comfortably into society, so they usually have something surprising and unusual about their psychology or behaviour and that fires my imagination with all kinds of possibilities. It’s also liberating not having to be attractive. They should usually be at least a little funny. People who struggle to fit in are often funny, even when there is a growing awareness of their frustration having potential danger. The best is when they’re funny and then scary with no transition in between. With bad guys, there are lots of opportunities to entertain in a flashy way, but it’s also important not to succumb to the temptation to be outsized just to call attention to yourself. Reality is always more interesting and, in the end, more compelling. So, I always try and understand why they are feeling so angry or vengeful or full of self-loathing and see the world through their eyes and feel their pain. I don’t judge them or comment on them as the actor. They are the heroes of their own stories.



Aside from your screen career, you have an extensive experience as a stage actor. Which of your theatre roles has been the biggest challenge and why?
The Elephant Man was the hardest because I had to have a dumb-looking moustache for a year. I got a Tony nomination for it, so I guess it was worth it.



You grew up in between two cultures - what’s your most Italian and most American quality?
Growing up between two cultures has left me with no clear identity at all. In Italy, I’m foreign, and in America, I’m kind of foreign too. But... I would say my most Italian quality would be wearing a heavy gold Saint Christopher medallion that was forged by the Vatican goldsmiths with the words “San Cristoforo Prega Per Noi” inscribed on the back, even though I’m not religious. Most American quality - good personal hygiene.

Sweater Ferragamo

Your family has roots in Sardinia - what does that place mean to you and what are some of your most important spots on the island?

I love my grandfather’s museum in the village of Orani, the Museo Nivola. It’s one of the most beautiful small museums in the world. Although I visited Italy with my family many times when I was young, the first time I was allowed to go to Sardinia was for the opening of the museum when I was about 14 because before then, there was a real threat of “banditi” kidnappings - local bands of small-time criminals who would hide people in mile-deep mountain caves for ransom. They assumed my grandfather was a rich American now that he lived in New York, and word spread fast whenever he would return to the island. The problem had died down by my mid-teens and so I started visiting my extended family there every summer. Everyone in the town is related to me. When I would see a beautiful girl in the street and point her out to a cousin, they’d say, “No, no, no - she’s your cousin too!”

There is also Cala Gonone, a small town on the east coast where you can rent little boats that take you down the undeveloped coast (it’s a protected national park) and drop you alone in little beach coves. Meanwhile, all over the island, there are Iron Age monuments and ruins called “Nuraghe” which are some of the oldest structures and remnants of civilisation anywhere in the world. Over the years, I’ve become more and more determined to force the Sardinians to embrace me as one of their own. This year, I was given an award at the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival so maybe I’m slowly breaking them down.



You are part of a family of actors - what’s a film that you watched recently with your wife and kids that blew you all away?
We watched Tropic Thunder again and it holds up. It’s Robert Downey Jr.’s best performance. Also, Orion: The Man Who Would Be King. It’s a documentary we stumbled across about a man named Jimmy Ellis - an orphaned child who was adopted at five years old and grew up on a horse farm in rural Alabama. He was both blessed and cursed with a killer singing voice that sounded indistinguishable from Elvis Presley. People went weak in the knees when he sang but he couldn’t find success because there was no room for more than one “King”. But in 1977 when Elvis died, a pulp fiction novelist wrote a book called “Orion” about a fictional character, loosely based on Elvis, who had faked his own death to escape the prison of his own fame. He had reconstructed his face and re-emerged with a new identity. Jimmy made a Faustian pact with the head of Sun Records, Shelby Singleton, who proposed to record an album and send him out on tour if he agreed to become Orion and wear a bejewelled Zoro-like mask at all times – in the supermarket, at restaurants, walking his dog – anywhere outside the confines of his own home. Orion became a sensation and he seemingly had achieved the rock star life he’d dreamed of, but the manipulation at the hands of Singleton and his complete loss of identity soon began to drive him insane with tragic consequences. It’s hilarious and devastating and we optioned the doc and are now adapting it into a narrative feature film.

Left Top Miu Miu, coat Kenzo

Right Full look Louis Vuitton


Your kids recently starred together in a movie - what advice did you give them prior to the experience?
None. They weren’t interested in what I had to say.

Greil Marcus said once about you, “Alessandro Nivola is magnetic. You want to know what he’s going to do next. You don’t ever know what he’s really thinking, and you’re not even sure he knows. Maybe he’s running on instinct, but he’s got great instincts. He’s afraid of absolutely nothing.” Is there anything that you’re afraid of?
Greil Marcus is the best journalist ever to write about music and the people who make music. He’s not a film insider but he knows about performance of all kinds, and I think that review is the only one that I’ve never forgotten. But as for being afraid? I’m afraid of everything. Both external and internal. I have terrible dreams about the end of the world. I’m afraid of the future, of failure, of what people think of me, of not being able to do creative work anymore, of having no purpose, of life having no meaning, of nothing feeling new, of disappointing my children, of my children being unhappy, of the dog being unhappy...should I go on? When I’m performing, I don’t think about these things. I don’t think about anything. It’s heaven.

…

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.


Interview by Martin Onufrowicz

Photography by Pierre Crosby

Fashion by Shan Temuri

Casting by Imagemachine Cs 

Grooming by Jessi Butterfield

Stylist’s assistant Angelina Ding 

STRIKING GOLD

FINDING SUCCESS IN THE ACTING INDUSTRY IS USUALLY A GAME OF PATIENCE. SANG HEON LEE’S CAREER IS THE EXCEPTION THAT PROVES THE RULE. HIS ROLE IN THE HIT SHOW XO, KITTY WAS NOT ONLY HIS DEBUT PERFORMANCE BUT HIS VERY FIRST AUDITION. OVERNIGHT, THE YOUNG ACTOR HAS BECOME A PHENOMENON, CAPTIVATING FANS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD. HOWEVER, DESPITE HIS CURRENT LIFESTYLE, LEE ADMITS THAT HIS MINDSET HASN'T CHANGED: EACH DAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN A NEW ADVENTURE. HIS PERSPECTIVE WAS SHAPED OVER THE YEARS PRIOR TO HIS ACTING CAREER, THROUGH EXPERIENCES LIKE BARTENDING IN THE UK AND MODELLING IN SOUTH KOREA. LEE EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF EMBRACING THE MISTAKES THAT ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH YOUTH. IN OUR CONVERSATION, HIS EXCITEMENT FOR LIFE IS NOT JUST PALPABLE. IT'S CONTAGIOUS. FROM HIS EVOLVING FASHION SENSE TO THE JOYS OF GROWING UP AROUND THE WORLD, WE CAUGHT UP WITH LEE TO DISCUSS HIS METEORIC RISE.

Right Full look Valentino

XO, Kitty is such a big hit and already got renewed for a second season. Did you expect this kind of success?
I don’t believe in having expectations. To be honest, I was just glad I made it through my first gig and that it was out. It was surprising to me just how much the fans loved it. And yeah, sure, some people might say that we already had a fan base from the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movies, but I’m a very sceptical person. You never know with these things. I was just hoping people would love it.  I wasn’t expecting much but I’m very proud of it.

You just mentioned this was your first serious acting gig, I’ve also read that this was the first show you auditioned for. What does it feel like to have struck gold on your first try?
I'm not going to lie, it feels weird. I feel incredibly lucky. I know a lot of people that have been working for years or have been trying to debut and be a part of the acting industry. And they haven't made it yet. I'm not saying I made it, but I was able to start in the most amazing way possible. So, I'm just really grateful. I try to tell myself it's not about whether I deserve it or not, it's more like, I have to make the best out of this and not take things for granted. And hopefully, I'll meet everyone else's expectations.

Left Jacket Acne Studios, boots Zadig&Voltaire

Right Suit Louis Vuitton, hoodie R13, boots Zadig&Voltaire, hat Yan Yan

Your character in specific has become such a fan favourite. Why do you think people resonate with Min Ho so much?
That's a good question. I think the audience loves him because he portrays the cocky and overconfident guy, but really, he’s a softie. A lot of people can relate to that. Most people try to act confident, which is good, you got to fake it till you make it. People were rooting for him to be happy because he acts like he was always happy, but he wasn't. He is very vulnerable and lonely. He just wants love and attention.

One of Min Ho’s most recognizable characteristics is his style. Do you think playing a character with such a strong fashion game has influenced the way you dress?
No, not really. I have a horrible sense of style.  I used to have no idea of how to dress up until my friends started saying things like, “Oh, can you please dress up like this?” or “Why do you dress so weird?” I don't know much about styling either. I’m still trying to learn as much as I can. I’m starting to sharpen my eye. But for Min Ho, our costume designer did a fantastic job. And it was amazing because she respected my opinion and made sure I felt comfortable.

Left Hoodie, skirt & sock Prada, shoes Miu Miu

You spent your childhood moving all over the world. Do you still enjoy bouncing around?
So, I was born in South Korea, raised in Hong Kong, and then went to university in Northampton in the UK. After that, I went to military service for two years. Then, I did a year and a half of modelling back in Korea which is when I started my acting career.  And now, I’m always in and out of LA. But I still enjoy travelling. I do it as much as I can. Because I have lived such an international life, I have made international friends, even the casts of XO, Kitty and Gran Turismo. But I also love to host when they come to visit. Whenever any of my friends come to Korea, I always tell them: “mi casa es su casa.”

How do you think travelling around so much has affected you?
I think it definitely helped me because I became more aware of people's cultures and how different people are. I never get shocked or surprised by a different cultural background, food, clothing or dance. I have to thank my parents for it. They were the ones that instilled it into me. We moved around a lot in my childhood because of my dad’s job. Even while in Hong Kong, I went to an international school which I think helped me a lot at a young age. Oh shit, this is interesting! I think it must have helped me too when it comes to XO, Kitty. The show is placed in one of those schools, I guess that’s why I was so familiar with that dynamic.

Left Sweater Isabel Marant, pants Givenchy, shoes Miu Miu

Right Suit Louis Vuitton, hoodie R13, boots Zadig&Voltaire, hat Yan Yan

Despite your young age, you’ve mentioned that you had time to “live life” before dedicating yourself to your career. You’ve modelled, you went and did your military service in South Korea, you’ve even bartended in the UK… What was the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Oh, you know about the bartending!? [Laughs] You mentioned the word ‘lessons’, I’ll add another word to that: ‘life lessons’. I’m glad I have been able to make mistakes. When you’re young, you’re just naturally stupid. That’s when you have to make your mistakes. I’d say those experiences have shaped me. Now I think life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Every day I try to live life to the fullest. I have the most extraordinary life. I think my past experiences have contributed to that. Whether it was bartending in the UK, cooking barbecue in Korea or working at a warehouse in Hong Kong, they all taught me great lessons.

Do you feel like those life experiences impact you as an actor?
Definitely. I mean, I guess if you’re talented enough you can play emotions you’ve never had. But I think you have to go through something to portray it honestly. You see the real emotions in people’s eyes.

Beyond XO, Kitty, you are also in the new Gran Turismo movie. What more can we expect from you in the future?
Yeah! That's premiering in August. I can’t wait to see the whole cast again. But it’s hard to understand what’s going to happen with future projects. XO, Kitty has been picked up for a second season. But, because of the writer’s strike going on, everything is delayed. Even when it comes to future projects, auditions have kind of stopped. I really hope the strikes turn out well and everyone reaches a point where they’re happy. But, for now, I am going to appreciate my time. I want to reassess everything I have been through and what I’ve achieved in a short period. I want to spend time with my family and friends. Do my little hobbies, rock climb, watch movies… I want to think about my next steps and figure out new milestones.

Jacket & pants Acne Studios, boots Zadig&Voltaire

You've just mentioned your love for rock climbing. While doing my research, I was hypnotized by your Instagram page dedicated to this hobby. What attracts you to this specific sport?
I think it's the adrenaline. I’ve tried a lot of sports: football, basketball, tennis, cycling. And I think I eventually realized I didn’t like most of it. But rock climbing gives me a sense of achievement. The feeling of adrenaline rushing through your body is unreal, it scratches an itch. I also really love the fact that I don’t have to diet because of it. For five or six hours you’re doing a full body workout and the thrill is constant. And then, when you leave, you can kind of eat whatever you like, which I appreciate. I hate diets because I’m a huge foodie. That combined with the achievement level is unmatched.

…

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Pedro Vasconcelos

Photography by Emilia Staugaard

Fashion by Jensen Edmondson

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Grooming by Sonia Lee at Exclusive Artists

FEEL THE FEAR AND DO IT ANYWAY

ALTHOUGH ARMANI JACKSON HAS BEEN ACTING SINCE HE WAS SIX YEARS OLD, HE DESCRIBES HIS YOUNGER SELF AS SHY. NONETHELESS, THESE DAYS, THE YOUNG ACTOR IS TAKING CENTRE STAGE WITH HIS LATEST ROLE IN THE PARAMOUNT+ SUPERNATURAL DRAMA SERIES WOLF PACK — WHERE HE PLAYS A DEEPLY ANXIOUS CHARACTER NAMED EVERETT LANG OPPOSITE HOLLYWOOD HEAVY-HITTER, SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR. WITH HIS GROWING RÉSUMÉ, IT MIGHT BE HARD TO BELIEVE THAT JACKSON, LIKE HIS WOLF PACK CHARACTER, DEALS WITH ANXIETY. BUT FROM HIS NERVE-RACKING FIRST AUDITION TO THE LIFE EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE FOLLOWED, ARMANI IS NAVIGATING HIS LIFE AND CAREER BY PUSHING HIMSELF TO CONQUER FEAR AND PRIORITIZING HIS MENTAL HEALTH ALONG THE WAY. WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM TO CHAT ABOUT HIS GROWING CAREER, HIS DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF FEELING THE FEAR AND DOING IT ANYWAY.

Left Full look N21

Right Shirt, pants & shoes Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, jewellery Boucheron

How did you get your start in acting?
In the beginning, the main reason I wanted to start acting was because of my sister. She started a couple of years before me — she's two years older than me, so everything she did, I definitely looked at as something that was cool. She had a meeting with a manager when we first moved out here [Los Angeles] from Wisconsin and asked if I would go in with her. I had no intention of being an actor at the time, but I went because she offered me a stuffed animal that I wanted.

They had her do the cold read, and they asked me if I wanted to do one too. I was so shy back then, so it was really nerve-wracking for me. But I did it. They wanted to hire my sister, and they also wanted to hire me. I was six years old, and I didn't think I was going to do acting. But I said yes, and I took the chance — that's definitely one of the things that got me out of that shyness I had when I was younger.

Left Full look Celine Homme, necklace Boucheron

Right Full look Zegna, earring Boucheron

Was there a moment when you made a clear decision to pursue acting as a career?
The first time I felt like acting was something that I would be doing for my whole life was when I did a horror movie called Cooties. I was only nine years old when I did it, but I fell in love with horror at that moment. 

When I was younger, I always had a fascination with horror, even though it was scary. Being able to film an actual horror movie at nine and see the inner workings of it — that’s definitely when I fell in love with acting.

Left Coat Giorgio Armani

What drew you to Wolf Pack?
My sister was a big fan of Teen Wolf, so she was like, "Oh my God, the same creator is making another werewolf show? This could be really good." That, and I was excited to have the opportunity to tell a story that hasn't been told that much — reading the script, it seemed like one of those. And getting the chance to portray someone who suffers from anxiety was another part of why I liked it so much. There aren’t that many roles out there where you get to portray something as authentic as generalized anxiety, which is definitely something I deal with as well. So I felt like it was something that I didn't have to really try too hard at. I was just able to lean into the anxiety that I deal with on a daily basis.

Left Full look Loewe, necklace Celine Homme & earring Boucheron

Right Full look Prada & earring Boucheron

You started experimenting with music during COVID. What was that like? What inspired that experimentation?
It came from just the lack of being able to control my career during the pandemic. There were barely any auditions at the height of it, and there wasn't really anything going on with acting. I wanted to take something into my own hands, and I'd always wanted to make music. So making that leap was definitely really important for me. Writing and making my own music also helps with acting and being more in touch with your emotions. Now, I've fallen in love with music. I'm going to be releasing a lot more music later this year.

Left Full look Isabel Marant & earring Boucheron

Right Full look Celine Homme & earring Boucheron

You launched a non-profit, called Beautiful Minds, with your family this year — can you tell us more about it?
My mother, sister, and I started it after the death of a loved one. We created it to educate people on the holistic options to help with mental health, like ketamine treatments and somatic therapy. We partnered with the Social Impact Fund, and we're going to be launching an online fundraiser platform soon with our team — I'm really excited about that, too. Being on a show that deals with mental health, and now having a non-profit along the same lines, is definitely exciting.

Left Jacket, vest, sweatshirt, tee, jumpsuit & rings Givenchy, shoes Timberland, earring Boucheron

Right Full look Celine Homme

…

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Jameelah Nasheed

Photography by Doug Inglish

Fashion by Andrew T. Vottero

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Grooming by Mira Hyde

Retouching Maxfield Hegedus

Production’s assistant Denise Solis

EXPLOSIVE CHARISMA

ACTOR JOSH HEUSTON WAS QUICKLY ANOINTED THE NEXT TEEN DREAM AFTER MAKING HEARTS FLUTTER AS THE INSECURE BUT OH-SO-GOOD-LOOKING DUSTY IN THE HIT COMING-OF-AGE NETFLIX TV DRAMA, HEARTBREAK HIGH. HAVING ALSO LANDED ROLES IN THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER, BALI 2002 AND MORE THAN THIS, HIS BEGUILING BROODINESS AND NATURAL ACTING PROWESS HAVE CEMENTED HIM AS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S NEXT GEN OF RISING TALENTS WE’LL BE SEEING MUCH MORE OF… WHICH IS FINE BY US.

Left Full look PRADA

Right Full look BURBERRY

Firstly, can we just talk about the fact that you’re a Bachelor of Science in Biomolecular Science and a Bachelor of Commerce?! That’s impressive. What was your career plan before the modelling / acting came along?
I never really had a specific plan while at University, I don’t think I had a proper path until I started acting.

Left Necklace ACNE STUDIOS

Right Full look GUCCI

So, after you were scouted as a model, had you already finished your studies, or did you find yourself traveling around the world walking the runways, with only a pile of schoolbooks to keep you company?
I was doing both at the same time and eventually had to make a choice between the two. I figured I could always come back to Uni, but the path of modelling might only be open for a smaller window.  I am so grateful for the opportunities I have encountered so far and here’s to loads more in the future.

Full look EMPORIO ARMANI

Obviously, your good looks helped bag you the modelling gigs, but acting is really where your passion lies, right? Being in the music video for Super Cruel’s song Sicklaced in 2017 really kickstarted the fire for you. Did you sign up for any classes at all after that?
Acting is where my passion lies. After that tiny part in the music video, I signed up to every acting class I could find in Sydney and from those, auditions started to happen.

Where do you get your confidence from?
I think my confidence comes from knowing who I am and being comfortable with the good and bad parts of that.

Were there films or TV shows you used to watch as a kid and thought, I want to be that lead guy?
As a kid I was obsessed with the Lord of the Rings franchise. I’ve watched all the films over 20 times! I’ve also always loved Fight Club.

Left Boxers HAULIER

Right Top CHANEL, necklace ACNE STUDIOS, shorts ISABEL MARANT, vintage belt stylist’s own

Your big breakout role was in 90s reboot Heartbreak High as Dusty Reid. You turned the typical high school heartthrob character trope on its head by revealing all his flaws and insecurities instead. It worked with today’s societal pull for more men to be open and talk about their feelings, rather than these hyper-masculine dudes. How did you approach that role, were you given carte-blanche to mould him as you wanted?
The writer of Heartbreak High, Hannah Carroll Chapman created Dusty with this energy of being not your typical high-school character.  My main goal was to make him feel as real as possible. Most interpretations of the quote-on-quote “heartthrob” in a high school drama are typically flawless and hyper confident, I wanted to show the other side of that.

What were you like in high school yourself, were you the guy that everybody wanted to go to Prom with?
Definitely not, there were plenty more popular guys in school!

Left Full look ZEGNA

Right Necklace ACNE STUDIOS

As well as representing and tackling topical discussions in the storyline, the Heartbreak High reboot also included a diverse ensemble cast, and helped more young Aussies feel seen on screen. How important was that, and is it to you now, in terms of your own cultural background and your progression in this industry?
Extremely important. I think Australia as a whole is very diverse, so screen should also reflect that.

The show’s impact on your career obviously opened doors for you, and you went on to do the TV drama Bali 2002 and then Marvel's, Thor: Love and Thunder alongside Russell Crowe and Chris Hemsworth. Were you pinching yourself on set with those acting heavyweights? Did you get any top tips and advice from them?
I’ve grown up watching both of those actors, so it was a surreal experience being on set with them. I learnt a lot just watching them work, from the way they engage with the camera or handle the text.  It was a masterclass to watch, and I look forward to more!

Left Full looks PRADA

Right Full look EMPORIO ARMANI

One thing you’ve got to love about acting is just the ability to lose yourself. What kind of stories are you interested in exploring and telling? Is there something you’re always on the lookout for in a script that excites you?
At this stage of my career, I think I’m excited by projects that scare me or make me a little nervous.

Do you have a wish list of directors, and actors you’re itching to work with?
The list goes on forever, but I’d love the opportunity to work with Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, and Luca Guadagnino.

Left Boxers HAULIER

Right Robe BURBERRY

We must talk about Dune: The Sisterhood, your upcoming project, who do you play and what can fans expect from this prequel series?
I play Constantine Corrin, he’s the illegitimate son of the emperor. I think any fans of the film franchise will love it, but I can’t say much more!

What’s important in your life and your work? Do you feel you are achieving the kind of success you want to have so far, in terms of how you want to live your life?
Family is the most important thing to me. I feel like I’m on the path I want for my life.

Finally, what advice would you offer the young Australian sitting at home, who wants to act?
My advice would be to just start! Do classes, film scenes at home, everything, and anything to help, just do it!

Full look EMPORIO ARMANI

Discover the full story in our FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Kate Lawson

Photography by Rob Tennent

Fashion by Thomas Townsend

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Grooming by Fernnando Miranda

Josh Heuston is represented by Kult Models

MULTIPLE AT ONCE

WHETHER IT'S ACTING, DIRECTING OR WRITING, THERE ARE MANY WAYS IN WHICH JOSHUAH MELNICK IS EXPLORING HIS LOVE FOR THE WORLD OF CINEMA. THIS MULTI-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH GIVES US PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THE SENSIBILITY OF THE AMERICAN 25-YEAR-OLD TALENT. WE MET UP IN PARIS AND DISCUSSED JOSHUAH’S LATEST PROJECTS, WHY ACTORS ARE THE AGENTS OF EMPATHY AND HIS COMFORTABLE APPROACH TO FASHION.

You've worked on a wide range of projects recently both as an actor, director or co-writer. How do you combine these different roles?
I think it depends on the context and the people I’m involved with. Though the crafts themselves are different, they’re all just about externalizing feelings into material that can be experienced by other people, and hoping they feel something too. It’s all about squeezing out as much aliveness as possible. I think writing and directing are the most similar but acting takes the most courage which then makes me a better writer and director. The writer is the architect and the director has to execute the plans and maintain the vision of the film. But the actor is the one who breathes the story into existence. They’re the ones who carry it inside of them and make it come to life. I have a lot of respect for that work.

Are there any films that have had a profound impact on you and that inspire you?
Yes, a lot. A Woman Under The Influence by John Cassavetes, Badlands by Terrance Malick, Flowers of Shanghai by Hou Hsiao-Hsien, Little Children by Todd Field. 2001 Space Odyssey and A Clockwork Orange by Stanley Kubrick. Her by Spike Jonze. Love is the message, the message is Death by Arthur Jafa. The Last Waltz by Scorsese. Drugstore Cowboy by Gus Van Sant. Boogie Nights by PTA. A lot more!

What kind of movie would you like to play in and/or direct?
I’d like to make movies in all different genres. There’s a comedy/drama that I wrote that I’m excited about acting in, but I want someone else to direct it. I’d also love to act in a spy thriller. An action movie. A Pixar movie too. Period pieces are really fun. I think for directing, smaller indie dramas and then maybe something bigger eventually.

In your opinion, what does it mean to be an actor in this day and age?
To entertain, to make people feel alive… I mean literally their job is to just bring stories to life which requires them to shed their mask until some universal truth is revealed, which I think requires relentless courage and curiosity. I’m learning though. Actors are like agents of empathy.

What is your relationship with fashion?
Practicality, comfort and context. I want it to make sense, and be comfortable. Then it’s all situational. I tend to like to be chameleonic so I wear clothes where I can, as best as possible, exist in different situations throughout the day. I don’t like outfits that beg for approval from other people. I just wear what makes me feel confident.

If Celine was a movie, what would it be?
Maybe Eyes Wide Shut by Kubrick meets James Bond. Or Kids by Larry Clark meets Whiplash by Damian Chazelle. Kind of crazy combinations. Something punk and sexy but also so classic. Like it’s rebellious but has also always existed.

What are you working on at the moment and what are your upcoming projects?
I just finished writing that comedy/ drama feature that I mentioned before called Summer Penny, the title may change though. I’d like to shoot that soon. I’m also acting in a film next month called Please Don’t Feed the Children which is a psychological thriller shooting in New Mexico. I also just executive produced a short film by Angalis Field who directed a film I was in that played at Sundance last year. I’m really excited about this music project I co-wrote that will be out in September too.

All clothes Celine Homme

Interview and photography by Hanna Pallot

REDEMPTION AND FREEDOM

“Don’t stop dreaming just because you had a nightmare and don’t stop feeling just because they hurt you,” sings ENIS in the opening lines of ‘Lavender garden’, the song from his debut EP ‘E01 demo collection’.

For the young Kurdish-Danish alt-R&B artist, his new body of work is a form of facing the demons of the past – the negligence and mental abuse coming from his ultra-conservative family who didn’t accept his queer identity growing up, leading him to run away from home at the age of sixteen, and the deep heartbreak coming from the toxicity of his recent romantic relationship.

The songs on the record became the hymns of redemption, symbolizing the beginning of his road to the freer version of himself. The sense of healing is further explored in the visuals created to accompany the sound – made in collaboration with Italian director-photographer, Leonardo Casalini.

Ahead of the EP’s release, ENIS met up with photographer Steve Marais in Berlin to work together on an intimate series of photographs titled ‘tired feet’ - you can see its exclusive selection below.

Words by Martin Onufrowicz

Photography by Steve Marais

HUMANLY CHIMERICAL

From a magical fantasy realm to apocalyptic futures, freya allan has established herself as a sci-fi darling. The magnetism she feels for the genre traces back to her childhood when she first visited the worlds she now inhabits. Despite the imaginary context she’s in, freya manages to maintain a sense of humanity. A feat that, according to her, is a by-product of her analytical nature. In defiance of the success she found in the surreal, she’s ready to put her feet on the ground, confessing her desire to play roles that differ from everything she’s done so far. It's not just as an actress that freya manifests this desire, her longing for authenticity is crucial to her artistic identity. As a painter, she focuses on the uglier side of reality, a direct response to what she calls the oversaturation of perfection. Her artworks sit behind her as we catch up on beauty fatigue, stunt work and her latest projects.

Full look Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello

From The Witcher to the Planet of the Apes, all the way back to your first job in The War of the Worlds, you always stay close to the Sci-Fi or fantasy genre. What attracts you to this kind of storytelling?

 I feel like it was accidental in a way. With The War of the Worlds, I was just ecstatic, it was one of my first TV roles. The Witcher was, again, a big break for me. I don't think that was necessarily a choice. When I was starting, back when I was 14, I remember feeling very excited by watching those kinds of movies. I think I spent so much of my childhood pretending to be in a sort of fantastical land, that the prospect of actually getting to do it professionally really excited me. But now, I’m at a stage where I’m excited to do something more contemporary, something entirely different.

 

You mention The Witcher as a “big break”, but you initially had a much smaller role…

 I went for Ciri first and the audition went so well. It’s not often that actors have that feeling, but I genuinely felt such a natural connection to the character, it just felt fluid. I then received an email from the casting congratulating me on my audition but, unfortunately, the higher-ups had changed the description of the character. They still wanted me to be in the show somehow, so they offered me Marilka, a much smaller role, which I still found quite exciting. But then, a few days later, my mom showed up at my school. I was like, “What the hell are you doing here?”, and she told me the agent called and I got a call back for Ciri. She knew how disheartened I was to find out that I wouldn’t be considered for that character, so she got excited and decided to show up at my school [Laughs]. I went back to do the call back and I think I even made them tear up a little bit. I then found out I got it on my birthday.

Full look Prada

“I think I spent so much of my childhood pretending to be in a sort of fantastical land, that the prospect of actually getting to do it professionally really excited me.”

 Why do you think Ciri resonated so much with you in the beginning?

 How feisty she was. I felt like I could relate a lot to who I was as a kid. She voices her opinion and knows what she wants for her future. I found that to be very captivating.

 

Ciri, in more than one way, escapes the stereotypical role of a princess, she’s turned into a warrior. Do you enjoy doing the stunts associated with this shift?

 I love it. Alongside acting, I was into dance growing up, so I use some of that training. Stunts are very physical; they require you to be in tune with your body. It’s really a dance, I mean, we’re not actually hurting anybody, so you’re just dancing with the other stunt performers. Luckily, ours are so good that they just allow me to focus on what I’m doing, and they’ll work around that. But, still, you have to know what everybody is doing. I love the challenge of it, it’s like the icing on the cake. I’m a very competitive person, I feel like that comes out of me when I’m doing stunt work.

Full look N21

 You mentioned your desire to move to more reality-based narratives. But I find it genuinely impressive how your performances are so human. Do you find it challenging to root real emotions in such unreal contexts?

 Thank you, I’m glad you think that. Well, let me start by saying, it's all a challenge, but I do find that side easier. I feel like I’ve always been very analytical of people’s behaviour. Even to myself, I constantly question why I am reacting in a certain way to a situation. I do the same for my characters, you have to truly empathize with what they’ve gone through. I think the harder moments are when you’re having to make believe, especially when you don’t have all the answers yet. As actors, we want to know the details of everything, but sometimes, for jobs like The Witcher, it can be confusing to wrap your head around certain stuff.

 

I couldn't stop staring at your paintings behind you. When did you first discover your love for art?

 Again, it goes back to my childhood. I was an only child until I was 11. I had a lot of years where I had to entertain myself. I would wake up in the morning before my parents and would, ironically, write and illustrate children’s books at the age of five. I was always making up creatures, which is ironic now being in The Witcher. When I got to secondary school, I was fortunate enough that they had an amazing art department. I just continued art from there, the other students were amazing artists, and I just absorbed everything around me. And, you know, all my best friends are artists, they’re all studying at Central Saint Martins or Goldsmiths. I think they remind me to continue expressing myself even as I focus on my career. It’s very meditative. It’s the only thing that distracts me, my brain is constantly ticking but when I’m painting, I’m focused.

Left Full look Dries Van Noten

Right Full look Giorgio Armani

 When I look at your pieces, I feel there’s a certain Paula Rego charm to them. Beyond your friends, what are some of your biggest inspirations?

 I have so many. Lucien Freud. Jenny Saville… I’m blanking now. Oh, and David Hockney. We studied him in secondary school, and I almost got a bit sick of his work but somehow, I think it's subconsciously seeping through. People have told me they see it a little bit. But, in terms of what I paint, it tends to be friends and family in candid moments. And, usually, not very attractive moments.

 

What do you think makes you paint the less manicured version of people?

 We're constantly fed so much perfection. It’s constant on social media, in magazines… You see it all the time. I think I was subconsciously bored of it. I don’t want to even stare at it enough to sketch it, it’s just another pretty face. And, technically speaking, there’s something interesting about painting the wrinkles, the moles, the fat, the dark under eyes. It just makes it more alluring, those textures and colours that contrast with a flat airbrushed face. There you go, I never thought of that, but that’s my thought process.

Left Top and skirt SHUSHU/TONG, ring Boucheron

Right Dress Di Petsa, shoes Jacquemus, jewelry Boucheron

 Do you find that there’s some overlap when it comes to acting and painting?

 I have always had a creative mind. Anything that isn’t a point-blank answer, like one plus one equals two, has always fascinated me. It’s interpretive, which can be terrifying, but it's individual. Even when it comes to acting, you can’t say you’re doing it 100% right, because you could approach a character or a scene a million different ways. It’s always a fight within your mind over what’s right or wrong. I feel drawn to those kinds of things. There’s an element of discussion around these choices that I enjoy a lot.

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Discover the full story in our upcoming FW23 FANTASY Issue.

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by PEDRO VASCONCELOS

Photography by GREGORY DERKENNE

Fashion by STEVEN HUANG

Casting by IMAGE MACHINE CS

Hair by PATRICK WILSON at The Wall Group using Hair By Sam McKnight

Make-Up by FRANCESCA BRAZZO

Stylist’s assistant NIAMH MANNION

CONSTANTLY LEARNING AND LETTING GO

Beau Minniear is a new New Yorker and his affection for the city grows stronger with each day he gets to walk around the buzzy streets and observe its never-ending energy. This desire to explore intensity is something that also drew him to acting – a profession that gives him a safe space to rip through the highest of emotions. For us, the young indie actor talks about the power of not holding back in performance, putting on shows for animals as a kid and the joys of falling in love for just a second.

Hey Beau! Where are you right now?

 I’m in New York, I just got back from Cape Cod - I went there for a film festival.

 Nice! How long have you been living in New York?

I moved here full-time in April. Before that, I was going back and forth between here and LA.

What’s your favourite spot in the city right now?

 Man, there’s so many! I moved to LA when I was 18, and when you’re so young, I think there’s a real need for making friends. But moving here, my favourite part about this city has actually been the fact that it feels so romantic even when you’re on your own. In other places, being alone can be pretty loud. But here, you’re just walking around and you might end up at a jazz club that has five people in it. And then, the streets are filled with music and so many smells. Maybe because I’m still fresh, even riding the subway feels romantic! Being alone here has its own power, so I’m really riding a high of exploring this place solo.

 Yes, exploring a city on your own can be really entertaining!

 Yeah, you learn so much about yourself. Also, watching love all around you, oh man, it’s like a drug. And then you’re walking down the street and have eye contact with somebody for a second. You fall in love and then boom, they’re gone. There’s all these little moments that happen here.

 Let’s talk a little bit about acting – what made you want to pursue it? Did you have a specific moment when you realized this was the path for you?

 I don’t think I’ve ever had that moment. I grew up on a ranch on the outskirts of Park City, Utah, surrounded by nature and animals that my dad would get on Craigslist for really cheap. And those animals were something to bounce the ideas off – I was talking to them like a little crazy kid. So maybe performing for them in the woods is where it all started for me. At school, I never really clicked with the drama kids, I never could quite see myself with them. And I never clicked with the football kids either. I would bounce around, get into a lot of trouble and I got suspended a bunch.  I had no respect for discipline or authority at all. It wasn’t until I met a guy named Jordan Chappelle, who’s an acting coach in LA, that I first realised that the director-actor relationship is something that I crave, can listen to, and that I see this environment as a safe space for me to explore the emotions that I used to get in trouble for without the repercussions and the shame and the guilt. So yeah, it’s been an evolving process. I think that, as an artist, you’re constantly learning and constantly letting go. Acting is always a new experience. And I don’t have a hold on the process itself – it just feels like something that I have to breathe in and take with where I am in my life at the time.

 Is going in and out of these extreme emotions something that you find the most thrilling about it?

 Yeah. When I was younger, I always thought that being a man was about anger and that raw quality of someone like Marlon Brando [points to a poster of Brando’s film hanging on the wall]. And acting is a really great space to rip through that. Then on the other side of it, there’s vulnerability and honesty and accountability – to have that space to work through them and not hold back is the healthiest thing, at least for me. Also, it’s so much fun to cry and fight and laugh and fall in love on stage or in a project. It’s addictive.

 It’s so freeing. So we know that Marlon Brando is one of your favourites. [Laughs] Who are some other actors that you look up to?

 It’s always changing. Tom Hardy, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Shannon and Michael Fassbender are a few that come to mind.

 What’s something that you’re looking forward to?

 I’m looking forward to the strike ending. That said, I also want actors to be treated fairly. It’s an interesting time for indie films and that’s what I love – that’s what I grew up on. So I’m excited to see the wave of independent movies that come out of this and stories that might not have been heard before. Also, I’m looking forward to the next time you come to New York and we go to some jazz bars!

…

Interview by Martin Onufrowicz

Photography by Ritchie Jo Espenilla

IN THE EYES OF GLASS

Energetic, charismatic and sensitive, Stella Rose Gahan is someone who hardly leaves you unmoved when you meet her. Launching her last album Eyes Of Glass this past April, the 23-year-old artist has already made her own mark on today’s rock and roll scene. We met with Stella Rose in Paris on the occasion of Celine’s latest SS24 presentation.

Who are your biggest inspirations and why?

Inspiration can be a bit mysterious at times. It isn’t always as obvious or significant as it appears. My inspirations can be in simple things like people watching — catching a moment between two strangers. It makes me feel connected. Like there is something larger at work. It is really beautiful when you catch a glimpse of another person's life, someone you may never see again. It feels like a secret. Human behaviour is inspiring to me. Synchronicities in life that seem impossibly timed. My second love is photography and films. Words give imagery, and it is what I am most drawn to achieving when writing. 

 How do you perceive today’s New York rock and roll scene and how do you feel being a part of it?

I sort of keep my head down and do my own thing. I think New York is brilliant that way since you can kind of disappear in it all. Things are always changing and evolving and I think it is important to just do what feels right and everything else will follow. 

 

You released an album Eyes of Glass last April. How did you compose it and what does it symbolize to you? 

Eyes of Glass feels like a symbolism of many letters to myself in the last few years of my life. Having a sort of Hell Hath No Fury spin. I can be quite dramatic when it comes to love.  

Where do you find beauty and poetry?

My mother is beauty and poetry in my life. She gives me resources to express myself and honour my heart. 

 

What is your relationship to fashion and how does it relate to music? 

Clothing is instrumental to who I want to be for the day when I get dressed in the morning or for a performance. It sets the tone. People like David Bowie, Debbie Harry, it goes on. Playing dress up is magical and seductive. Alluring colours and silhouettes telling stories of their own. It can be a superpower. 

 If Celine was a song, what would it be?

Mhm… seems like a question for Hedi!

 

What are you working on at the moment and what are your upcoming projects?

Exploring new territory in familiar places. 

…

All clothes Celine by Hedi Slimane

Interview & photography by Hanna Pallot

EVER-EVOLVING

Saying goodbye to his role of 5 years as Ben in The Umbrella Academy, Justin H. Min is embarking on a new journey as a different Ben in Shortcomings. He’s played robots, ghosts and superheroes, but the actor was most excited about exploring the humanity of the cynical character he played in the new film. While currently in limbo – still living out of a suitcase between New York and LA – his schedule is dense but he still pinches himself daily. This is the position he gets to be in, acting with directors, producers and actors who inspire him. We sat down with Justin to discuss his latest acting projects, growing Asian-American representation in Hollywood and his custom-made role in Netflix’s hit Beef.

Left Full look Versace

Right Coat Lemaire

Last season, your role in The Umbrella Academy shifted, as you had to play a more antagonistic version of Ben. How hard was it to explore that?

I liked playing both versions of Ben for different reasons. It was a little more fun to play the season three Sparrow Academy Ben because he’s such a departure from who I am. He’s a huge asshole, and I hope that I’m not.

 The next season will be the last. What can we expect to happen?

It dives into the reckoning with who these characters are without their powers, what does that lead to? There has been a question on the show for the last three seasons that will finally be answered in this season.

Left Full look Calvinluo

Right Full look Lemaire

 Let’s talk about Beef. What drew you to this series?

That role was sort of written and made for me. Lee Sung Jin and my older brother were best friends in college. My brother was a very prominent worship leader through college, and is now a pastor. So, when writing Beef, Sunny knew that there was gonna be a prominent storyline in the Korean church and he wanted me to play the worship leader part, partly based on my brother.

Full look Lemaire

 I read the script of Love & Noraebang, a podcast series which explores multiculturalism in LA, also explored in Beef. With your experience growing up as a second-generation Korean-American in LA, how would you say your Koreanness has influenced your acting experience?

I never grappled with my Koreanness until I got into this industry. It was the first time I ever really experienced something like, “Oh, people see me not as an American, but as other.” It was something that I really had to reckon with and it came with its own set of existential crises, a lot of nights wondering who I was and where I fit in this industry. But now it's something that I embrace, knowing that that is really at the core of who I am and it affects the work that I do, both consciously and unconsciously.

Shirt Lemaire

 How would you say Asian culture is currently shaping Hollywood? We have shows like XO Kitty where Korean-American culture is being highlighted. How does this form of representation matter in today’s entertainment industry?

I don't think there's ever been a better time to be an Asian-American actor or artist. Globalisation is real. The Korean wave is real. And people are more than ever interested in different cultures and are willing to watch a film with subtitles and be just as invested in them as they are in “American” TV or film. Now, there are so many different representations of us on screen that we can really reflect on the fact that we are not a monolith.

Shirt & pants Commission, boots Givenchy

 I want to congratulate you on your performance in Shortcomings - I found it really hard to feel any sympathy for Ben! What attracted you to this role?

Ben is so complex. He is deeply, deeply flawed, which to circle back to the topic of representation, is not something that we've often seen of Asian-American characters. He really does feel deeply broken, has so many insecurities, and is trying to date but is flailing. All of these things sort of make up the human experience and I was excited to dive into that role.

Full look Versace

 Can you tell us about how the film treats the talks around race within romantic relationships?

I love Shortcomings because it's not prescriptive. There's a multitude of perspectives. What makes talking about race so difficult is that people are coming from a very emotional place. Dating is emotional. Falling in love is emotional. You can never speak on these kinds of issues with any sort of objectivity. I hope the movie inspires those kinds of conversations. The more we talk, the more we as a collective society can hopefully learn and move forward.

Full look Lemaire

 My favourite line from the film is, “I’m sorry you had to meet me at this point of my life,” which I think highlights that this whole movie is just a phase, that Ben is not stuck but ever-evolving. What was your personal takeaway?

You realise that people are the way they are because of things that they've experienced. When I was first starting out in this business, I would go to audition after audition, and hear ‘no’ and a closed door, and ‘no’ again, and another closed door. After years of that, it really wears you down and you start to look at life through a very cynical mindset. That was something about Ben that really resonated with me. My biggest takeaway was just learning to empathise with people.

Shirt & pants Commission, boots Givenchy

…

 The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Gabrielle Valda Colas

Photography by Emilia Staugaard

Fashion by Shaojun Chen

Grooming by Zaheer Sukhnandan

Production by Peter McClafferty

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Stylists assistant Ray Z

CRUEL SUMMER

After auditioning from her college dorm room in Pittsburg with the help of her roommates, Lola Tung landed her first breakthrough role as the protagonist in Amazon Prime’s The Summer I Turned Pretty. As a teenager figuring things out, her character Belly finds herself to be the catalyst of a love triangle with two brothers who she's known her whole life. Whilst we meet Belly in her exploration of the boys in the first chapter, season two was an opportunity for Lola to dig deeper and explore the darker sides of her character. For us, Lola talks about her thoughts on the newest season, as well as her hopes for the future - always to a Taylor Swift soundtrack.

So Lola, tell us about how you got into acting.

I started acting when I was in middle school. I auditioned for my school musical which was The Wizard of Oz, and I got cast as the tin man. I loved every aspect of theatre and acting, the whole rehearsal process and performing. I don’t think anything else made me feel as alive.

Were you a fan of The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy before auditioning for the role? Why would you say the work of Jenny Han speaks to this generation of viewers so much? 

I hadn’t read the books but I had seen the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movies. I was a huge fan of Jenny Han. She’s an incredible storyteller, and she treats these stories with such care and is so involved with how her stories are brought to life. She also allows these characters to feel all of these important things. So many feelings are universal for teens and maybe adults don't always take them seriously, but when you look at it, it’s such a pivotal moment in your life. You don’t have to have it all figured out, you know?

I felt like the Belly we got in season two had a lot more depth than in season one - how did you approach your character’s development this time around?

The second season lives in the same world but it just has such a different tone. Belly is in a different headspace, she’s really dealing with the weight of her grief and it’s affecting every aspect of her life. I think she’s feeling pretty lonely when we first see her and nobody can really understand how she’s feeling. It was a little difficult to live in that headspace. But the thing that was really driving me, and making me hopeful is that the season is about her taking initiative and being determined to bring back the magic that she feels like she's lost, and to repair these relationships that mean so much to her.

What steps do you take to fully immerse yourself in a role?

In the first season, I wrote letters from Belly’s perspective to every character of the show. This season, I would just journal if I was having trouble cracking the code to the scene. Music was a huge part of it, there were certain songs that would immediately get me in the headspace I needed to be. A lot of Mitski and Phoebe Bridgers. It was an emotional girl season for sure.

Music is a very important part of the show - did you have any say in the music choices?

I trust Jenny so much with the music, she’s done an incredible job and she definitely asks us [for opinion]. She’ll show us cuts of scenes with different songs over it and ask us which one we think suits the tone of the scene the most. Or she’ll ask for song recs, which is cool because all of us have different tastes in the cast.

Personally, I’m rooting for Conrad - why do you think as viewers we’re always drawn to the more difficult and gritty relationships?

I think that’s hard and I try to be careful because obviously there are toxic relationships that are almost romanticised in a way that’s a little bit dangerous. But I think with Conrad, even though it is messy, he thinks he’s just doing what’s best. People sympathise with that and can relate to that. Sometimes it's just physically hard to be that vulnerable with someone, it's like weighing on you, it's almost impossible to open your mouth and tell someone how you’re feeling.

 Are there any specific types of roles or projects you aspire to work on in the future?

I’d love to do theatre at some point, and film. I’m interested in doing something different from Belly who I love so much, something that’s just the opposite and after that something completely opposite of that.

How do you balance your personal life with the demands and unpredictability of the industry?

Just taking it one day at a time, and knowing that the unpredictability of this business is rough but it's also the beauty of it. As someone who tends to stress about the future, I think it’s a good lesson, there are some things that aren’t in your control and that's ok.

…

The interview & fashion story were conducted before the SAG-AFTRA strike.

Interview by Gabrielle Valda Colas

Photography by Kat Irlin

Fashion by Yael Quint

All clothes by Chanel

Make-Up by Misha Shahzada

Hair by Dana Boyer

Nails by Mami Onishi

Casting by ImageMachine cs

Stylists assistant Josh Mooiweer

Shot at The Peninsula New York Hotel

Special Thanks Wai Lin Yip

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