CARMEN
EJOGO
PHOTOGRAPHER DAMIEN FRY // FASHION EDITOR SHABDIECE ASAFAHANI
Turtleneck, pajama top, coat and pants by PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI, skirt and boots by GOLDEN GOOSE, rings by GORJANA, earrings by SHIHARA
Interview by Sydney Nash
You grew up in England. Tell me what it was like to grow up there and what you miss the most.
I feel super lucky that I grew up in L ondon at a time when it was considered the world’s epicenter for fashion and music. If you were a kid making fashion or music in Berlin or Tokyo or New York, you wanted to get to London. It was, and still is, a scene where eccentricity and originality is celebrated. I miss that as an environment to be creative in, and I miss the sense of humor, which is equally eccentric.
What was your first introduction to acting and music?
The occasional modeling job or pop video as a kid, which led to acting when I finished school. Actually, the school I went to had a really solid theater department, so I went to the Edinburgh festival with them when I was 15, was doing classes at the Young Vic, oratory and poetry reading classes, stuff like that. It all ended up being valuable.
Having worked in both the film and music industry, which industry attracts you more and how are they different?
I opted for a film career partly because I couldn’t have been taken seriously if I’d tried to do both at the same time, but also because I could just sense how much more predatory the music business would be for a young girl to navigate- from business POV and creative. So I went for a film career partly because it was a simpler path. Although I do think pop star trumps movie star as a journey. I went on tour with a band at one point, and there’s nothing more satisfying than singing on stage. That’s a role I’m dying to on film again (Sparkle has been my only opportunity to date).
Turtleneck, pajama top, coat and pants by PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI, skirt and boots by GOLDEN GOOSE, rings by GORJANA, earrings by SHIHARA
Since you’ve been working in the industry since the early 90s, what are the changes that you’ve seen take place? What work do you believe still needs to be done?
There’s a lot more opportunity to be a person of color, to be a woman, and to be at the center of the storytelling. I’m working, writing and directing because what we still need more of is diversity in those departments.
You call England home but predominately work in American film. What draws you to American projects, and do you hope to work in more British film in the future?
I was always drawn to American culture, American TV as a kid, and from the outside, America looked like some kind of Nirvana. it was always a dream to work here. Then, you get here and you realize the social dynamics are very complicated and dark in many ways I didn’t fully anticipate. This lends itself to interesting storytelling, but I also miss telling stories that feel as though they’re part of my personal British background and history.
What’s been the most challenging role to prepare for?
Amelia in True Detective. There was so much material, so many lines to learn by day one of shooting, three timelines to navigate, a relationship that spans thirty years between me and Mahershala to give shape to.
tank top and blazer by CALVIN LUO, shirt by KYLE’LYK, rings by GORJANA, earrings by SHIHARA
Trench coat by AIDA KAAS, tank top by CALVIN LUO, pants by ZADIG & VOLTAIRE
The show has been criticized in the past for its portrayal of women, specifically that it failed to create dynamic, female roles. Your character, Amelia, is so obviously the antithesis of this critique. What do you believe sets Amelia’s character apart and what has the experience been portraying this role?
I was drawn to the role because I could [see] how pivotal she would be to the overall arc of the show but also because she isn’t just there to enhance the lead man’s storyline. She has a journey all of her own, which audiences have really responded to. In fact, I think the show is so male heavy in it’s casting and its overall energy, that Amelia is vital in bringing some energetic balance to this season.
You are set to star as the lead in Netflix’s psychological thriller “Rattlesnake.” Any insight you can give us into your new project?
It starts out as an innocent road trip and becomes a weird and crazy fight against the clock to save my daughter’s life. I loved making this movie in New Mexico last year. Lots of action, lots of bizarre twists and turns, and a rattlesnake.
You’ve worked with many of the great directors in modern film, including Ridley Scott and Ava DuVernay. Anyone else you’re dying to work with?
I’d love to work with Denis Villeneuve, Yorgos Lanthimos, Lars Von Trier, Steve McQueen, Andrea Arnold, Mike Leigh. So many heavyweights. But I also really love working with up-and-coming talent who are the new voices in cinema.
You have experienced so much success within your career in the past few years. What’s next for you?
Writing, directing and continuing to do my bit to bring the people’s revolution.
Quick Q’s.
You’re not on set or on the red carpet. Where can we find you?
Hanging out with my kids.
Favorite travel destination?
Japan and anywhere hot and beachy.
What song are you listening to on repeat right now?
Torso Corso by Lizzy Mercier Descloux.
Pet peeve?
Cigarettes on sidewalk still burning.
Guilty pleasure?
I don’t do guilt, only pleasure.
What movie/tv show are you currently obsessed with?
Marie Bamford’s “Lady Dynamite.”
What’s one thing you never leave the house without?
Lipstick
Turtleneck, pajama top and coat by PREEN BY THORNTON BREGAZZI, rings by GORJANA, earrings by SHIHARA
Coat and skirt by HYKE, turtleneck by NOSENSE, pants by ALEXA CHAPMAN, rings by GORJANA, earrings by SHIHARA
Creative Director: Deborah Ferguson
Photography: Damien Fry
Location: Dune Studios Brooklyn
Fashion editor : Shabdiece Esfahani
Make up : Vincent Oquendo at The Wall Group
Hair : Carolyn Riley at Defacto Inc
Web Layout/Design: Sydney Nash