STARS IN NETFLIX SERIES
FATE: THE WINX SAGA
Location
Photography
FREDERIC AUERBACH
Creative Director
DEBORAH FERGUSON
Abigail Cowen, a Florida born actress, entered the magical world of “Fate: The Winx Saga” with her first leading role as Bloom in the Netflix Original series. While Cowen might be young in the industry, she is not new to successful Netflix Original series, seeing as she had parts in “Stranger Things” and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” She talks to ContentMode about the path that led her to this role and the energy of the set of “Fate: The Winx Saga.”
Interview by ALLIE KING
AK: You were born and lived in Florida until you made the official move to LA at 18 to start acting. What inspired this move and your commitment to a career in acting?
AC: I had wanted to move to LA to act since I was 9. I got into a good University, so I decided to give it a try. But after my first semester, acting was on my heart more than ever. I really just think the entire college atmosphere just wasn’t for me, personally. I booked my small role in Stranger Things from a self-tape I did out of my dorm room. After being on set for that, I just knew that it was time to take the risk and make the jump. I continued my classes online while auditioning.
AK: Once you are in LA, what do you do from there? What steps were taken in the process of landing your first role?
AC: My LA experience was a bit unique because I already had representation out there, so I was able to kind of hit the ground running with auditions. I had some money saved up from modeling in the past and was planning on auditioning almost every day while balancing online classes. I kind of made that my full-time job. I also shared a room with my roommate in a very run-down apartment while sleeping on a mattress on the floor. So that was an experience, to say the least. There was a lot of rejection and unknowns, but I was determined to keep going.
AK: While you have quite a few years of acting under your belt, your career has recently gained a burst of momentum and is moving quickly. How have things changed since your recurring role in “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina?”
AC: I really feel like “Sabrina” prepared me for the amount of work that was ahead of me. I truly learned so much on that set and have taken so many lessons from there. Things have definitely changed with my workload and hours spent on set. But if I am being honest, nothing in my personal life feels too different. I just love being able to do what I love.
AK: You tend to work on shows with a magical element of the storyline. What draws you to these roles?
AC: I mean you can’t really decide which roles you end up being chosen for, but you can agree to sign on. I definitely do see a pattern with the ones I have chosen to sign on to. I think I just connect with projects with magical elements because there are no limits to what can happen. There is so much room for imagination and surprises, and as a creative, that’s the best thing for me.
Face: ARMANI BEAUTY Luminous Silk Concealer #3, CHARLOTTE TILBURY Beauty Light Wand « Spotlight »
Eyes: VISEART Grand Pro 3 Eyeshadow Palette, CHANEL Le Volume de Chanel Mascara Noir
Lips: ARMANI BEAUTY Lip Maestro #402
AK: I read that you flew out just 2 weeks after you heard you landed the lead role as Bloom in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” What was going through your head during that quick turnaround?
AC: I was a wreck. [Laughs] I was so excited and just in shock, looking back. But I was also terrified. I had never had a role of this caliber before, so it was quite daunting. The minute I landed though, the adrenaline kicked in and I was just pumped. Also, after meeting the rest of the cast, and having them be so welcoming and comforting, my nerves were calmed.
AK: You have an awesome female-led cast, including — but not limited to — Hannah van der Westhuysen, Precious Mustapha, Eliot Salt, and Elisha Applebaum. What are some of your favorite things about filming with them?
AC: They are such supportive, strong, intelligent, hard-working women and truly have everyone’s backs. I think it is so special to be able to spend so much time with such wonderful people in a work environment. They are so professional and know their stuff, but they are also always having a good time and make for such a wonderfully-positive atmosphere.
AK: How do you mentally and physically prepare to play Bloom?
AC: I always do an outline of each script, so I can really spend time with the character and fully grasp the story. I feel like that is the most important thing for me. Then, once I feel comfortable in that, I trust my feelings and make sure I let go of doing a perfect job. When I do that, I feel like I can channel her freely and play around. Physically though, I make sure to be eating very well and exercising as much as I can through the filming process. Energy and brainpower is the most important thing when working that many hours. So that is a must for me.
Blouse: Mario Dice, Diamond Earrings: Raven Fine Jewelers
Left: Hair stylist Kylee Heath, Right: Makeup artist Cedric Jolivet
AK: You have said that you used music to get into Bloom’s character. Is music something you use often for inspiration in your acting?
AC: Music is one of the biggest inspirations for me when playing Bloom. I will play all sorts of music depending on the mood of her in a scene. Music in general is a huge part of my life, so it always helps me reach where I need to be.
AK: Do you see any of yourself in Bloom’s character? How do you relate to her, if at all?
AC: I definitely see my younger self in Bloom. Honestly, a lot of her characteristics are similar to mine. Especially the struggles of self-discovery, self-love, and her overall emotions as a teenager resonate with me. I think they can relate to a lot of people.
Blouse: Mario Dice, Diamond Earrings: Raven Fine Jewelers
AK: This isn’t your first project with Netflix. What do you like about the streaming service platform? How has your experience with Netflix been?
AC: I love that you can space out a story if you want. Or you can watch it all in one sitting and get a huge range of emotions and elements to a story, that you wouldn’t get from a show with spread-out episodes. It is such an honor to have become part of the Netflix family. They are all so wonderful and supportive. I really hope I can remain there as long as they’ll let me. [Laughs]
Blouse & Pants: Mario Dice, Diamond Earrings: Raven Fine Jewelers, Mules: Roger Vivier
AK: You all have been renewed for a second season! What are you looking forward to most about filming the next season?
AC: Everything! I can’t wait to be back in Ireland with everyone and getting to step back into Bloom’s shoes.
AK: What do you hope to learn about Bloom moving forward?
AC: I hope to learn more about her family, who her real parents are, how powerful she can really be, and just overall discover more about who she is as a person. I can’t wait to see who she will become when she fully comes into her power.
AK: Other than Season 2 of “Fate: The Winx Saga,” what’s next for you?
AC: I have a film coming out in 2021 called “Redeeming Love.” It’s a period piece, which was always a dream of mine to be a part of. So I’m really excited. I play a young woman who was sold into sex trafficking at a very young age. The story follows her journey through battling the traumas and atrocities that surround that world, all while finding love. It is a very heavy, important story. I am so excited to, not only play a role that is completely different from anything I’ve ever done, but to tell a story that can hopefully shine a lot of light on a really important subject.
Skin Prep: BIOSSANCE Squalane Marine Algae Eye Cream, Squalane Probiotic Gel Moisturizer, Squalane Vitamin C Rose Oil
Eyes: VISEART Palettes « Violette Etendu » & « Grande Pro 3 », ARMANI BEAUTY Eccentrico Mascara
Lips: NARS PowerMatte Lip Pigment « Give It Up »
Blouse: Mario Dice, Diamond Earrings: Raven Fine Jewelers
QUICK Qs
AK: If you could play another character from Fate: The Winx Saga, who would it be?
AC: I would love to play a specialist. I think it would be really cool to learn fight choreography since I have no knowledge of that whatsoever in my actual life.
AK: Song that gets you pumped in the morning?
AC: Line of Sight- Odesza
AK: Goal for the year?
AC: Healthy and Happy
AK: One thing you would like to (or did) steal from set?
AC: I would love to steal Sky’s sword. I think that would be cool to hang up in my house. Or Bloom’s red boots in that ending scene. Those were so cute.
AK: Favorite line you’ve ever had?
AC: This wasn’t mine. It was Stella’s, but all the girls, including myself, loved it. “Can we save the drama for drama club”
Skin Prep: AUGUSTINUS BADER The Cream, SHANI DARDEN Intensive Eye Renewing Cream
Face: SHISEIDO Synchro Skin Radiant Lifting Foundation #160 « Shell »
Eyes: MAKEUP BY MARIO The Glam Quad « Party », MARC JACOBS Velvet Noir Mascara
Lips: ARMANI BEAUTY Lip Maestro #300 « Spotlight »
Photography
FREDERIC AUERBACH
Creative Director/Fashion Editor
DEBORAH FERGUSON
Interview
ALLIE KING
Makeup
CEDRIC JOLIVET @ THE WALL GROUP
Hair
KYLEE HEATH @ A-FRAME AGENCY
Web Layout
VICTORIA SMITH
Digi Tech
POP DIGITAL
Location
Thank you
ID PR, NETFLIX & SOFITEL LA
View the “Fate: The Winx Saga” Trailer here:
