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MIA HEALEY

Stars in

Amazon Series

The Wilds

Photography Maya Fuhr
Creative Director Deborah Ferguson
Interview Tessa Swantek

For Mia Healey, Australian born actor, life imitates art. Healey was once a little girl videotaping herself pretending to be a movie star interviewing for her film, and now that blurry child-like fantasy has crystallized into a clear reality following her first role as Shelby Goodkind in Amazon Prime’s The Wilds. The series’ Season 1 follows a group of teenage girls who are left stranded on a deserted island after a social experiment disguised as an accidental plane crash, while Season 2 adds a separated group of teenage boys. Healey’s character, before the island, experienced a traumatic situation involving her own denial of her sexuality based upon her Christianity. On the island, she navigates a romantic relationship with Toni [Erana James] as she accepts her sexuality and grapples with her religion. In our interview with Healey, we discuss another life imitating art moment of her birthday party spent with co-star, Erana James, her understanding of Shelby Goodkind, and a time she felt beautiful recently. It is obvious that Healey has an exciting, open future ahead of her, and we can’t wait to see what she dreams up.

Face:

Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation,

Clé De Peau Concealer SPF 27,

Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit

Chanel Beauty Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Contour Stick in Blush No 21

Chanel Baume Essential Multi Use Glow Stick in Sculpting , Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Freeze

Eyes:

Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Liner in Bronze

Victoria Beckham Lid Lustre in Honey and Chiffon

Lips:

Dior Contour Lip Liner in 100 Nude Look

Rouge Dior Colored Lip Balm in 100 Nude Look

Chanel Inimitable Mascara

Jacket, Bra Top and Jeans: Milk White Official @ Tata LA,

Earrings: Natia x lako @Tata-LA Crystal Lipstick

Bag: Shopakira @Tata -LA

Boots: IRO Paris

Lipstick: Dior Addict

First, I just wanted to say that I think you do such an amazing job in The Wilds as Shelby Goodkind! Since you’re new to the industry, is there anything that surprised you while working on set?

Hmm- I guess I was surprised in a way by everything. The whole experience was a first for me so I just tried to pay as much attention to the process and try to learn everything I could.

Fragrance: Dior J’Adore Eau de toilette, Tights: Tako.Mekvabidze @ Tata- LA

I know you started performing at a really young age. Is there a vivid childhood memory you can share related to the feeling you have when performing?

My mum actually recently dug up this video of me recording myself at age 7 or something pretending to be interviewed about a movie I did, haha! It’s an embarrassing memory but your girl was manifesting haha. Along with that video were a bunch of others of me just performing all kinds of random and embarrassing things. I guess I’ve just always loved it as long as I can remember.

Dior Addict Lipstick

Knit dress and Pants: Stella McCartney,

Hat: Tata- LA,

Boots: Anouki @Tata- LA

Fan’s love for Shelby and Toni’s romance in the series has sort of extended to a love for your friendship with Erana James off set. You’ve said in another interview that one of the major things you learned while filming was how important it is to pay attention and listen to your scene partner. You did this a lot through open dialogue with Erana James. Is there any discussion you can share that you two had about your character’s relationship?

Yeah, we spoke all the time about where our characters’ heads were at. Most times when the scripts were delivered, we would sit and read it together. We also found moments on set every time we had a scene together in-between takes to regroup and chat about the scene, make sure we were feeling good and supported by each other at all times.

Tweed Jacket, Long Vest, Pants, Belt, and Choker necklace
CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2022
Heels: Tata-LA

Dress, Belt, and boots: IRO Paris

Shelby is dealing with an overwhelming amount of guilt from her best friend’s suicide. In the second season, we see Shelby talk about feeling like she’s better off dead to the world even while alive. In Season 2, how do you view Shelby’s relationship with her Christianity?

I think she’s trying to live without it because it caused her so much pain. This season we see Shelby really try to let everything from her past go, so that she can be completely herself in this new relationship, but those anxieties and fears still creep into her head when she’s left to her own devices. I guess when it comes to religion, she feels that it may not be serving her as much as it used to and feels like passing it along to Rachel in her time of need.

As you said, Shelby connects with Rachel this season on a deeper level. She shares a Christian mantra that helped her feel steady after her friend’s suicide. In your own life, do you have a mantra to help you feel calm?

That’s a good question. I definitely feel like I need one sometimes, but I don’t have one handy that I use. I do try and remember pieces of wisdom that have been shared with me from my parents or people that I’ve looked up to. It’s so important to talk kindly to yourself and I try to do that as much as possible.

Skincare:
Biba Los Angeles Barrier Cream Tatcha The Kissu Lip Mask

Face:
Koh Gen Do Maifanshi Moisture Foundation
Clé De Peau Concealer SPF 27
Westman Atelier Face Trace Contour Stick in Biscuit
Chanel Beauty Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Contour Stick in Blush No 21
Chanel Baume Essential Multi-Use Glow Stick in Sculpting
Eyes:
Diorshow 24 Hr Stylo in 796 Iridescent Taupe
Dior 5 Couleurs Couture Eyeshadow Palette in 859 Pink Carole
Anastasia Brow Freeze
Lips:
Dior Contour Lip Pencil in 060 Première
Dior Rouge Dior Colored Lip Balm in 586 Dior Bloom
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer in 001 Pink

Dior Addict Case

Along with this intense trauma, there are also moments this season that are really joyful and beautiful. One of my favorites is the scene where Shelby is planning Dot’s birthday party and they all discuss their happiest birthday. In your own life, I’d love to hear about your happiest birthday!

One of my happiest birthdays was probably my most recent one. The actual day wasn’t so great because I had just moved back to Sydney where I was in a lockdown for Covid, but just before I was in Queensland, we had just wrapped Season 2 and Erana and I went to Hamilton Island where she surprised me with a helicopter flight over the great barrier reef and a champagne picnic on Whitehaven beach. Later, Miles [Gutierrez-Riley] joined us on this little vacay we were having on the island and just played for days. It was so great! I love birthdays though. I always go all out for them.

A favorite scene seems to be the one where Shelby is singing on stage and sees Toni and begins to cry while singing. What was it like filming that scene?

This was such a special day. Erana and I had never been able to work with each other off the island before, so it was a totally new and cool experience. The scene itself was so beautifully written and emotions came up very naturally because we just felt so much love for each other that day and we were so happy to be there for each other and support one another. It was definitely one of (if not my absolute favourite) scenes we shot this season.

Dior Addict Case

Dior brings the ultimate couture touch to Dior Addict lipstick with designer cases inspired by the House of Dior creations and adorned with the deconstructed Dior Oblique logo. Each case draws inspiration from House of Dior wardrobe: Pink Cannage motif. The topstitched pink case with a vinyl effect and the Dior signature motif; and Metallic Silver, The Dior Addict case is sold separately. Compatible only with the Dior Addict lipstick and Dior Addict refill.

If there ends up being a third season of the show, we will get the chance to see the boys merge with the girls since that’s the way season two ends. What would you be most excited about to see from Shelby next?

We leave Shelby in a very interesting and intense way. I’m excited to see what she does in this new environment to feel safe and controlled. And of course, I’m excited to see what happens between her and Toni. To me, they’re endgame and I want to see them get back together for sure haha.

Dress, Belt, and Boots: IRO Paris

Shifting a bit to the hair and makeup aspect of the show, when watching I was really curious about this as your skin has to look red and dry and at the end of the season Shelby is practically bald. Can you tell us a little bit about this?

There was so much work put into the hair and makeup on this show and the team definitely had their work cut out for them when it comes to Shelby’s hair. I love being a part of that process and always thought it was so creative and clever the way it works, so I was just happy, sitting there amazed by the skill involved to get it right.

Boots: IRO Paris
Dior Addict Lipstick

Jacket, Bra Top, and Jeans: Milk White Official @ Tata LA, Bag: CHANEL Metiers d”Art 2022

Tweed Jacket, Long Vest, Pants, Belt, and Choker necklace
CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2022
Heels: Tata-LA

Tweed Jacket, Long Vest, Pants, Belt, and Choker necklace
CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2022

Knit dress and Pants: Stella McCartney,

Hat: Tata- LA,

Boots: Anouki @Tata- LA

Since this interview is for our Beauty section, can you tell us about a moment you felt beautiful recently?

I feel most beautiful when I’m happy. I was hanging out with my best friend the other day in a diner, and he makes me laugh like no one else in the world. We were sitting together just cracking up about something I can’t even remember but it felt so joyful, juvenile and just beautiful.