MOSES INGRAM
2021 Emmy nominee
Chats with
LAURA ALBERT
About her supporting role in
Netflix series
The Queen’s Gambit
Photography Dylan Coulter
Fashion Editor Deborah Ferguson
Interview by LAURA ALBERT
Intro by Tessa Swantek
Moses Ingram, American actor, has been quoted by the Washington Post speaking of her Yale School of Drama audition, “God, if you just give me the baton one time, I will run and I will not stop running.” Ingram certainly has not stopped running and we are excited to watch her journey down the track as her newest roles indicate that she is far from the finish line. Ingram’s love for acting erupted among the bright lights of the theatre as she viewed plays like A Raisin in the Sun and Hurt Village, which later intensified her drive to attend the Yale School of Drama. Right out of Yale, Ingram earned her role as Jolene in The Queen’s Gambit, one of Netflix’s highest-rated shows of all time. Jolene is Beth’s (Anya Taylor-Joy) childhood friend that she grows up with in the orphanage. Ingram has recently been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for outstanding supporting actress for her role as Jolene. She has also earned a role in the highly anticipated The Tragedy of Macbeth as Lady Macduff, and is set to play roles in Ambulance and Obi-Wan Kenobi as her run becomes even more strong and swift. Ingram tells us about her role as Jolene, her experience writing her own short (Day 74), and her upcoming role as Lady Macduff!
Sweater, Cardigan, Leggings: Iceberg F21
Hat: CHANEL, Dress: Valentino Red, Top: Commando, Boots: Tamara Mellon
You bring a special drive and passion that shines in all of your acting projects, and as Jolene in The Queen’s Gambit, you’ve shown us every aspect of the character, beautifully. Do you feel ways in which you align with Jolene?
I get this question often. I think when I was younger, I may have been more like young Jolene. Just sort of in the way that I did what suited me most often- steadfast, a little stubborn, but a real good time! But, for the most part, she’s just a character.
Jacket, Top, Leggings: CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2021, Jewelry: Misho Designs
What kind of preparation did you make for playing Jolene? How has acting in this series affected you as an artist?
I spent a lot of time making memories, things that I could recall later on when filming. Creating moments in the space where we don’t see her, that would affect how she looks, or behaves as the woman we meet in that last episode. The series itself gave me a foundation on the film side of acting. Up until then, I had only done theater and so much of what I was learning was new to me. So, it definitely boosted my confidence, just by giving me knowledge. Scott [Frank], Steven [Meizler], and Anya [Taylor-Joy] taught me a lot just by doing their jobs.
Sweater, Cardigan, Leggings & Boots: Iceberg F21
Day 74 is your first short film as a writer, in collaboration with Patricia Fa’asua and Courtney Jamison. It provides a front-row experience of the anxiety caused by the COVID pandemic and lockdown, with powerful scenes of the protagonist’s overlapping thoughts, heard over the ambient noise of the city. What was your aim in writing this story? How did writing in collaboration with others impact that aim? What was it like to shoot the film during lockdown?
That was a shitty time- excuse my French. But also a time of great learning- a reminder that the need to create is human. Even when those “grand” stages or outlets aren’t there. It was a reminder of the need to know yourself outside of your work, and value yourself outside of your work. We were feeling many of the same things and it was nice to put them on paper the way they were living inside of us. Filming wasn’t so bad, relatively. We tested and formed a pod and we only saw each other. I do think we all needed it.
Hat, Jacket, Earrings & Boots: CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2021, Leggings: Cuyana
Jacket, Top, Leggings: CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2021, Jewelry: Misho Designs
Can you describe how being an actor has impacted your work as a writer?
Well, as an actor I know that when I say the words, I want them to feel real and grounded. So, I think that really drives how I write. I love writing about people who think like people. I spend a lot of time talking to myself. I’m still trying to love structure as much.
Blouse and Pants: Materiel Tbilisi @ TATA-LA, Necklaces: Misho Designs, Sunglasses: David Snow @ TATA -LA, Heels: Tamara Mellon
You play Lady Macduff in director Joel Coen’s new film The Tragedy of Macbeth, with Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand and Brendan Gleeson. Have you played Shakespearean tragedy before? What qualities did you want to emphasize with Lady Macduff’s character?
I’ve done a great deal of Shakespeare. I did more Shakespeare in school than anything else. At first, I was put off by it. It seemed too posh for someone like me. Lies! Over time I had come to love how the words hang in my mouth- how the verse almost sort of magically drives you to a feeling. What qualities? Mm, Regal. Real regal.
Earrings: Misho Designs, Jacket & Pants: Kenzo F21, Boots: Akira @ Tata-LA
Photography
Dylan Coulter
Creative Director & Fashion Editor
Deborah Ferguson
Interview
Laura Albert
Makeup
Tasha Reiko Brown using CHANEL
@The Wall Group
Hair
Michael David @ The Wall Group
Fashion Assistant
Juan Marco Torres
Web Layout
Tori Smith
Thank You
Viewpoint PR & Netflix
View the trailer for The Queen’s Gambit here:
