Josephine Langford

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Photographer Jeffrey Baum

Creative Director Deborah Ferguson

Interview by Sydney Nash

You call Perth, Australia home. Tell me what it was like growing up in Western Australia. Do you spend a lot of time at home between jobs?

Western Australia is beautiful and safe and the weather is perfect and the people are amazing and I would highly recommend growing up there. I still live at home, so whenever I’m not working I’m back. That’s only been for three days this year though.

Was there a moment when you realized you wanted to go into acting? Tell me about your first performance.

It’s been something I’ve wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I don’t think that there was a specific movie or moment that sparked it. I think my first performance was probably as Belle in a school play of Beauty and the Beast when I was six.

Coat dress by A.O.T.C. at CURVE BOUTIQUE

Before After, you starred in Wolf Creek and Wish Upon. How did these roles prepare you for your role as Tessa in After?

Just set experience. The more sets you’re on the more prepared you feel to get on the next one.

Tell me how the role of Tessa came about.

I got an audition for another role in the film, had a Skype callback, then got a call from my agents asking if I wanted to come to LA and meet for the role of Tessa instead.

The series has a huge fan base and following. Knowing this, did you feel any added pressure in preparing for the role?

I felt like I had a huge responsibility to get it right. With any project with a pre-existing and large fan base there’s going to be expectations when it comes to how you play the role. You just have to try to not feel pressured by that. You need to make your own choices and be secure and confident in your performance and what you’re doing.

Coat dress by A.O.T.C. at CURVE BOUTIQUE

Anna Todd wrote the books that the film was based on. Did she give you any advice or insight into the character of Tessa before filming?

I had some long conversations with Anna before filming but honestly not many about the character. She trusted me and that I knew Tessa and what I was doing and I feel really fortunate to have had that trust.

After focuses on the whirlwind romance between your character, Tessa, and heartthrob Hardin Scott (played by Hero Fiennes-Tiffin). Tell me what it was to work alongside your costar.

Hero was wonderful. He was so supportive. For both of us, this was our first big leading role, it’s been great going on this journey with someone in the same boat.

Is there a trick to creating on-screen chemistry?

It’s a combination of feeling comfortable with who you’re working with, good casting, good cinematography and the right dialogue.

Beaded couture dress by V:PM ATELIER at CURVE BOUTIQUE

Tessa is a freshman in college in the movie, where she’s learning to navigate not only young love but also the other social pressures of being a college student. Being 21 yourself, were you able to draw on any of your own experiences to help inform your portrayal?

There wasn’t a lot that I could draw on from my own experiences, I never went to college and fell in love with an impulsive tattooed British boy. I have a lot of friends whose own experiences I see reflected in the film and Tessa’s journey.

After is one of the most anticipated movies of the year and undoubtedly the most high-profile of your career so far. Are you prepared for the spotlight that this film is going to put you in?

Yes and no. I’m not sure that you can fully be prepared for something when you don’t know exactly what it’s going to be. At the same time, I’ve been acting for seven years so I’ve had time to adjust to the industry.

Couture blouse by V:PM ATELIER . at CURVE, ring by MIO HARUTAKA

You’ve been in a horror movie and now a drama/romance. Any other genres you’re interested in pursuing?

I’d love to do some more drama. Action and comedy would also be great.

What’s your dream role?

I haven’t found it yet.

You are just in the beginning of your acting career. Tell me what’s next for you and what you’re most looking forward to in the next few years.

There are a few projects I’m reading at the moment that I’m in love with. In the next few years I’m just looking forward to working on films and on characters that I’m passionate about.