From training in ballet studios to acting in the Prime series Étoile, Tristan Ridel is on the way to becoming a star in his own right. In a break from rehearsing, he sat down with us to chat about the empowerment and adrenaline that comes with being on stage and how ballet allows him to speak without words.

Profession: Dancer and Actor

Birthday and Astrological Sign: 18th of December; Sagittarius

Place of residence: Paris, France

First thought I had today:

“Did I sleep through my alarm again?”

Song I have on repeat:

I have to do a top 3 of my favourite artists because music is really important in my life, and it's too hard to choose one – James Blake, Mac DeMarco, and Chopin.

My first role:

Tristan Magan in Étoile. It was exhilarating. I originally did the audition for dancing after meeting Marguerite Derricks (the choreographer on the show and producer), she pushed me to audition also for the acting parts, and after a quick trip to New York, I met Amy and Dan Palladino, who wrote me a part in the show. It was my first experience on the big screen, and to this day, I will cherish those moments we had on set with my fellow dancers and everyone involved.

My first crush:

Ballet. I fell in love with the discipline, the control, and the expressiveness. It taught me how to speak without words.

My latest crush:

Acting. It’s a new way of exploring truth through emotion and with a voice. There’s something raw and infinite about it.

My acting idol:

Gaspard Ulliel. I’ve always admired his quiet intensity and emotional depth. He had this unique ability to convey so much with just a glance or a subtle gesture. One of my favourite films is Juste la fin du monde, and his performance in it deeply moved me. He portrayed such inner conflict and vulnerability with incredible restraint, and that taught me how powerful understated acting can be.

Place I feel most comfortable in:

On stage! There, I have the space and freedom to share my emotions with a feeling of empowerment mixed with adrenaline. But realistically speaking… at home, on my balcony, with my girlfriend and my cat.

My most recent deep dive:

I had the chance to dive into the Chubbuck Technique this year. It’s about fighting to change your world, not just expressing feelings. Always act with purpose. I’m focusing on using personal pain and emotional history to actively pursue a character’s goal. It’s reshaping how I prepare and how I connect.

Last film that made me laugh:

OSS 117 will always get me, French people will know what I am talking about (I hope), serving iconic lines by the unmatched Jean Dujardin, who makes the most unlikeable character into the most endearing person.

Last film that made me cry:

Everything Everywhere All at Once got me tearing up because beneath all the craziness, there’s something universal: family. It captures the messiness, love, regret, and quiet hope that many people experience but often can’t articulate.

My go-to outfit as of late consists of:

You’ll usually find me in black. I like basic tones, clean and simple. Most days it’s boots, jeans, and a leather jacket.

This summer, I want to:

Make the most of time with my family. Time is precious, and I want to be fully present, especially for my parents, but also for my nieces, whom I meet every summer.