RILEY KEOUGH
Stars in film
ZOLA
Photography Graham Dunn
Fashion Editor Deborah Ferguson
Interview by Allie King
Coat, Belt, Bag and Leggings: CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2021, Ankle Boots: Le Silla
AK: How are you feeling as we reach the halfway point of 2021?
RK: Time is becoming less and less real as I get older. It moves so quickly sometimes and so slowly other times. Usually very quickly when I’m enjoying myself and very slowly when suffering is involved. It’s been an intense year for me. I feel a lot of things. I feel so grateful for the love in my life. I feel grateful that our movie is getting so much love. I guess it just feels like another moment. Everything is another moment. I feel grateful to be alive.
AK: You have a larger amount of experience in film than television. Do you prefer movies over TV, or is this just the way things fell into place for you?
RK: I like movies and TV. I think the thing I really like about TV is the time you get to really develop a character. That would be the only difference to me, you get more time to play characters which is great when you have a good one.
Dress, Top and Pants: Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 21, Heels: Tamara Mellon
AK: Which format comes easier to you? What challenges do you face with each?
RK: I think that would probably depend on what the tv show or movie is. I mean, I would say in my experience in TV you’re shooting more and for longer. So I guess if you have a crazy schedule that could be challenging but that happens in film too. For example, with “The Girlfriend Experience” the biggest challenge was the schedule and the hours. We would start the week going to work at 5 am and the be in night shoots every Thursday and Friday so I wasn’t sleeping very much and we went over time very often so that was challenging. But that was very particular to that shows schedule. Yeah, I don’t think I’ve personally found filming TV vs movies to be hugely different.
Sweater, Skirt & Boots: CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2021
AK: I’m sure tackling your role as Stefani in the recent film “Zola” was a very unique experience. Can you talk about the headspace you were in to be able to throw yourself into this colorful but problematic character?
RK: I must have been in a strange headspace. I mean, really, I just wanted to do a good job and create the character Janice and Jeremy had written. I think you prepare as much as you can, I practiced the accent a lot. But then once you’re there it’s just kind of a magical thing that happens and you just transform in to the character I suppose.
AK: Seeing that your character is constantly appropriating black culture, were there certain conversations on set to ensure that people felt comfortable with the material being filmed?
RK: I think the people who were involved with the film had all read the script, and in the script it’s very clear that there is appropriation from Stefani, and that she is offensive. So everyone who was working on the film knew the material and also what purpose it was serving in the story before our first day shooting.
Top: Ellery
Top, Bag & Slides: Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 21, Dress: Jonathan Simkhai
AK: Can you speak to the environment on the set of Zola? What was your favorite thing about working on this project? What was your favorite part of working with Taylour Paige?
RK: My favorite thing was how wonderful all of the people are and how much I just love everyone involved in this movie. Everyone is so open, and funny, and talented. It just felt really special.
AK: What does this type of project teach you as an actress? What have you taken away from it?
RK: I’ve taken away how important it is to me to work with good people and people I love and feel comfortable collaborating with. It’s so important to me to create art with kind people it’s such a vulnerable experience.
AK: How are you looking to continue including music in your career? What are your goals for it?
RK: “Daisy Jones” is really the only project I’ve done music in, which I’m rehearsing for now and we start shooting in September. My goals are to just make a great show. I don’t have any other music goals than that and the moment.
AK: You have worked as a producer twice in the past with “Welcome to the Stranger” and “Dixieland,” and are working on a new project “Manodrome” now. What is your favorite part of producing?
RK: I love development, that would be my favorite part of the producing process. That’s what we largely focus on at Felix Culpa. Then of course getting to support film makers in creating their dream.
Blouse & Pants: Alexandre Vauthier Couture, Heels: Louis Vuitton
Sweater, Skirt & Boots: CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2021
AK: How did you start to get involved in this part of the industry?
RK: I think it was always something I was interested in, being able to create a company that has the ability to support artists. Once I met my partner, Gina we both shared that vision and that would be what really solidified it.
AK: You are playing the role of Daisy Jones in “Daisy Jones & The Six.” How would you describe your character?
RK: She’s a wonderful, complicated , strong, funny talented singer and songwriter in the 70s. She’s very liberated and very much ahead of her time.
Blouse & Pants: Alexandre Vauthier Couture, Heels: Louis Vuitton
AK: Without spoilers … Can we expect the series to be extremely similar to the novel, or does it have its own spin?
RK: It’s a limited series which is great because it’s a really long story. I don’t think it would all fit into a movie. But I’ll say it definitely stays very true to the book, maybe a few minor differences.
AK: What else can we look forward to from you in the near future?
RK: Well I’ve been shooting “Daisy” for a very long time so that’s what I’m focused on at the moment.
Dress, Top and Pants: Louis Vuitton Pre-Fall 21, Heels: Tamara Mellon
Top: Ellery
Quick Qs
AK: Favorite song of 2021?
RK: Oh gosh. I listen to old music. I don’t even know what came out … Oh, maybe Orville Pecks cover of “Born this Way.” Not because I sang back up on it. I’m really just obsessed with it. My little sisters listen to “Drivers License” by Olivia Rodrigo a lot. It’s not my kind of music traditionally, but that song makes me cry.
AK: Dream co-star?
RK: Daniel Day Lewis
AK: Comfort meal?
RK: A vegan burger probably
AK: Favorite non-profit to support?
RK: If you follow @illuminative and @seedingsovereignty on Instagram, they always post great ways to support the indigenous community on the ground. I love them.
Coat, Belt, Bag and Leggings: CHANEL Metiers d’Art 2021, Ankle Boots: Le Silla
Photography
Graham Dunn
Fashion Editor/Creative Director
Deborah Ferguson
Interview
Allie King
Makeup
Rachel Goodwin @A-Frame Agency
Hair
Mark Townsend
Web Layout
Victoria Smith
Thank you
Lede Company & A24