ISSUE #1 - MAY 2018 1
EMMA WATSON REBEL BELLE
SPOTLIGHT
Sofia Coppola “THE BEGUILED” BACKLASH
Brooklynn Prince ON THE RISE
Hailee Steinfeld STANDS WITH HER SISTERS
EXTRAS Halsey Inez & Vinoodh Scarlett Johansson
FREI
FEMALES REVIVING
THE
E N T E R TA I N M E N T I N D U S T RY
FREI
Lyle Lindale 2018
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FREI ISSUE #1 - MAY 2018
FREI
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Editor’s Letter
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Sofia Coppola The Beguiled Backlash
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Brooklynn Prince On The Rise
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Emma Watson Rebel Belle
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Hailee Steinfeld Stands With Her Sisters
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Halsey
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Inez & Vinoodh
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Time’s Up, Franco
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cont ents
FREI Cover girl, Emma Watson
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EDITOR’S L E TTE R
Ly l e L i n d a l e Readers,
My name is Lyle Lindale and I am the founder of FREI. I was born and raised all over Illinois and currently living in the heart of Chicago. Since the age of seven, I have had a deep love for the entertainment industry, but unlike most kids with their eyes plastered on the TV, I was curious about the how it all happened and what their lives were like. How did they start acting? How many films have they been in? Who was behind the camera? How many copies did they sell? Can I do that too? I was interested in every aspect. From that time on, I networked at a young age and committed to learning from other working professionals. As I got older, I became more interested in the female part of the entertainment industry. In reality, the industry is male dominated. Most films are directed by men. Most films star men. Men are paid higher than women. The only thing women got was being taken advantage of. I put this magazine together with the intention of shining the spotlight onto females in the entertainment industy so they may get the recognition they deserve, despite their age.
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sof ia coppola
‘THE BE GUILE D ’ BAC KLASH
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A week before receiving a director tribute from the Gotham Awards, Coppola sat down with IndieWire to discuss her busy creative life (and her new puppy). Sofia Coppola has had quite a year. In Cannes, she became the second woman in history to win best director at the Cannes Film Festival for her Civil War drama “The Beguiled,” which received largely positive reactions. The movie landed in theaters under less-exciting conditions: She faced backlash against her decision to remove the sole black character in Don Siegel’s 1971 adaptation. Coppola fired back with a statement in IndieWire explaining her decision. Love it or hate it, “The Beguiled” wound up being quite the conversationstarter in the midst of summer movie season.
A
week before receiving
under less-exciting conditions:
working today. On Monday, she
a director tribute
She faced backlash against her
receives a special directing award
from the Gotham
decision to remove the sole black
at IFP’s Gotham Awardsceremony
Awards, Coppola sat
character in Don Siegel’s 1971
in New York, and she’s been making
down with IndieWire to discuss
adaptation. Coppola fired back with
the rounds on the campaign trail
her busy creative life (and her
a statement in IndieWire explaining
for “The Beguiled.” But she’s also
new puppy). Sofia Coppola has
her decision. Love it or hate it, “The
keen on getting back to work. Last
had quite a year. In Cannes, she
Beguiled” wound up being quite
week, she sat down for coffee in
became the second woman in
the conversation-starter in the
the West Village, a few blocks from
history to win best director at the
midst of summer movie season.
her home, to look back on a hectic
Cannes Film Festival for her Civil
Needless to say, while the movie’s
year and put it in the context of her
War drama “The Beguiled,” which
reputation may have suffered,
career to date.
received largely positive reactions.
Coppola remains one of the most
The movie landed in theaters
prominent American auteurs
FREI
At what point did you decide to make a statement about “The Beguiled”? SOFIA COPPOLA: I was in London doing press, and every interview was really confrontational about me being racist. And I was like, “This is getting totally out of control.” I just don’t want my name ever associated with that. I felt like I had to set the record straight. Usually, I would just ignore what people were saying, but my 10 yearold-daughter heard us talking, and was like, “Are people going to think we’re racist?” I was like, “Oh my God, this has gotten out of control.” And you were really surprised by the reaction? COPPOLA: I was aware, obviously, that this history is a loaded one, but I thought I could speak about this one group, and it was historically correct. So I didn’t like being called ignorant for something that was very thought out. OK, it’s set in the Civil War. Should we change into a different setting? But it was even different when we started making it, than it is now, with Trump talking about the history of the Civil War.
Still from “The Beguilled”
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“
you have to go with your heart and what you feel right about
”
FREI
Still from Coppola’s film, “The Beguilled”
Behind the scenes photo of the stars from “The Beguilled”
Not to mention the conversations about sexual harassment. COPPOLA: I know, but I think that’s interesting. Our movie’s about these women who are just fed up with that, and they turn on a guy. The election was going on when we were filming. Do you think the backlash to “The Beguiled” will change the way you make movies now? COPPOLA: You have to go with your heart, and what you feel right about. You can’t dictate what an artist does, really. You want to be responsible. My casting consultant
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always is looking to diversify. You don’t
about making money, so it’s not as much
want to have an all-white cast… but in this
creative freedom. “Little Mermaid” was
case, it was historical. I can’t say if I’m
the closest I got to doing something like
going to do that in the future. This was
that. I never wanted to be a director for
such a particular situation. I felt like this
hire. I thought I could do it my way, and
tradition of film, with the token servant
then I realized that at that scale, you have
character, is not something that I want
to please too many people, so it’s hard to
to continue.
have a singular voice.
Your entire filmography has been focused on
What’s the ideal budget range for you?
women characters, but only recently have
COPPOLA: “The Beguiled” was made for
conversations about women-centric movies
under $10 million. People kind of cut
gained prominence in our culture. How do you
back, and everyone worked really hard,
feel about the state of that dialogue now?
because I was like, “I really want to make
COPPOLA: I just try to do my thing. I’m
this movie.” I don’t know if $25 million
aware that there needs to be more women
movies are really around anymore.
in power, but it’s just great you’re seeing
Remember when there used to be those
the stories about women. Before, it used
$30 million romantic comedies? Now,
be like, “Oh, no one’s going to see a movie
I feel like everything’s either really low
about that.” So now, with movies like
budget or done on a huge scale.
“Girls Trip” and “Wonder Woman” being successful, it’s just great for
A lot of people think the middle class of
all women filmmakers.
filmmaking has gone to television. You
You tried to make a live-action version of “The
haven’t shown any interest in that yet.
Little Mermaid” before stepping away. Would
COPPOLA: People ask me about it, and
you ever consider working on that kind of big
I like the idea that the time frame isn’t
budget again?
as constricted. You can tell a story that’s
COPPOLA: I don’t have any plans to. To
six hours long. That’s cool. But I haven’t
me, that becomes so much more about
dipped into it. Usually I like to be short
business, because when you’re spending
and sweet. A continuing series isn’t
that much money, it becomes more
totally my thing.
FREI
What was your experience like with Netflix,
Your first movie with Focus was
working on “A Very Murray Christmas”?
“Lost in Translation,” which turns
COPPOLA: That was really encouraging. I
15 years old next year.
definitely am open to the idea of working
COPPOLA: It feels like a really long time
with them again, because they just gave us
ago. I still have a fondness for it. It’s a soft
money and left us alone. So it was kind of
spot for me. I still love Bill after all this
ideal. I do prefer theatrical releases, even
time. He’s always been strange, but he
though very few people go to the theater.
shows up once in a while. It was really fun
Especially with “The Beguiled.” With an
to do the Christmas show with him. He’s
audience, people laugh and are freaked
such a national treasure, so I would love
out together. I don’t know any movie that
to see him do more stuff.
doesn’t benefit from a communal thing.
So you’re writing a new movie now?
But my friend Tamara Jenkins is doing a
COPPOLA: I’m going to start writing.
movie for Netflix. It’s so funny because
I have some stuff I was thinking about
we’re friends, and her scripts are always
before, so I have to clean off my desk
too long, and mine are always too short.
and try to start writing.
Somehow we need to merge. Tamara and I were talking, more than five years ago, and we both said that it felt like our jobs were obsolete. It felt like independent film was gone, then I feel like Netflix and Amazon revived it a little.
“The Beguiled” brought you back to Focus for the first time since “Somewhere.” COPPOLA: Universal owned the rights to “The Beguiled,” so it was either talking them into making it, or not making it. I’m glad it was a whole new team there, and they seemed enthusiastic to try a new genre. I think it was the first film of a new regime there.
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Behind the scenes photo of Sofia Coppola and the stars from her film, “The Beguilled�
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T
It was right around this time last year that Moonlight began to crystallize as an Oscar contender, having carved a steady wave of buzz through festivals in Telluride and Toronto, and ultimately to the New York Film Festival. This year, The Florida Project appears to be on a similar trajectory, having just bowed at NYFF this week. First earning buzz at Cannes where it was snapped up by A24, also the studio and distributor behind Moonlight, the Sean Baker film shines a light on Florida’s hidden homeless, telling the story of a young girl and her childhood friends, who reside in decrepit motels on the outskirts of Disneyworld. he film is a sunset-
world of mischief with a sense of
who becomes a staple of the
drenched heartburn
nostalgia, but also the awareness
awards circuit, Jacob Tremblay
that powerfully
that everything going on around
and Quvenzhane Wallis being two
transposes the
them threatens their well-being at
recent examples. While it can be
escapism of childhood against
every turn. 7-year-old Brooklynn
concerning that kids so young
a minefield of class traumas. As
Prince whose star turn as Moonee
can be exposed to the finnicky,
we follow young Moonee (the
has pundits wondering if she could
harsh spotlight that some people
charming and lively Brooklynn
become the youngest performer
have trouble navigating even
Prince, only 6 when she shot
ever to win an Academy Award
in adulthood, Prince and Baker,
the film) and her friends Jancey
(Tatum O’Neal still holds that
chatting from a room at the Four
and Scooty (Valeria Cotto and
record—she was 11 when she won
Seasons in Los Angeles, put those
Christopher Rivera) through
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
worries on ice. In conversation, it’s
the marshes, parking lots, and
for 1973’s Paper Moon). It also
clear that Prince gravitates right
strip malls of the disenchanted
can’t hurt that Drake is a fan. It’s
to the spotlight.
Disneyscape of Orlando, we can’t
true that every couple of years,
help but immerse ourselves in their
we meet a bright young child star
Photo (right page) by Faye Thomas
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b roo k ly n n p r i nc e
ON THE RISE
FREI
casting company. We looked at her headshots, we thought her physicality was perfect for the role, but we had her come in to audition. Within seconds of her being in the room, I knew that she would be in the film. I wasn’t 100% sure if she would be Moonee but I had a very good— Prince: —idea. [Laughs.]
BROOKLYNN
PRINCE Interview with Brooklynn Prince with film director of The Florida Project, Sean Baker
Baker: [Laughs.] Yeah. It was just a very fun audition. She was actually auditioning at the same time as [costar] Christopher Rivera, and the two of them were doing exercises to get energized and it was hilarious. I was watching these two little kids create their own boot camp. He was doing push-
When did you start acting?
ups and she was doing squats. So even before they
Brooklynn Prince: I was two. My mom started
actually started doing the scene, I was already
out as an agent and she quit—actually, I don’t know
taken with them.
what really happened—but she ended up being an acting coach. My Mimi kept saying, “Come on! You
How did you prepare Brooklynn for the role and get her
can get into acting!” But my mom was like, “Oh no.”
into character once you decided she would be Moonee?
Sean Baker: Mimi is her grandmother.
Baker: Well, Brooklynn had already had
Prince: She’s my grandmother, some people
experience, so she worked with my acting coach
call her Mimi. So, I had my first audition and it
Samantha Quan to get to the places we needed. But
went well, and I thought it was fun! I did my first
I have to tell you, Brooklynn is a born thespian. She
modeling job, and had more and more auditions,
got it. She was memorizing the lines we had written
then I got into this big movie, which I wasn’t
for her, but then on set we were able to ask her if
expecting. It came out of nowhere, with this nice
she could sometimes make those words her own. If
Sean, right here…
we needed her to improvise she has that capability. So it was really about spending time leading up to
What was the casting process like
the shoot. It was about making sort of a summer
for the character of Moonee?
camp for the kids. I was hoping—and she can tell
Baker: We put out a local casting call in Orlando
you whether or not this is true—I was hoping that
and the entire county. Brooklynn’s name happened
it would be fun for them and an experience they
to be in the database of CrowdShot, which is a local
would never forget.
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Prince: Yeah, it was. And they let me drink one
that this is okay, but we’re going to work with the
whole Sprite! [Laughs.]
kids and make sure that these are only words that are said between me saying ‘action’ and ‘cut,’ not to
Brooklynn, your character says a lot of bad words in this
be used in real life and not to be used off the set.” I
movie. Were your parents nervous to let you take this part?
think we were all in agreement. And these kids are
Prince: Yeah. I had just turned six. I’ve heard the S
very mature; they understand. They’re respectful
word and the B word. I just knew those words. I didn’t
and that’s what it comes down to.
know about the rest. Then, when I read the script, my mom and dad were like, “Oh my god. If you say these
Did you feel like you were playing or
words at home you’re going to get in big, big trouble.”
pretending while filming in Florida?
And I’m like, “What?” But they felt good about that
Prince: Yes. My mom and dad always said to me
because Sean really kept all of us safe.
growing up, they said, “Brooklynn, always play.
Baker: I remember that moment when we made
You can play all day until you go to bed!” I’m just
the decision on the three children. We were in a
used to playing and being a kid!
back room of a casting company and we brought the parents in. I said to the parents, “I love your kids. I
How do you keep having fun when you’re on the road?
would be honored to cast them in this film. I hope
Prince: I like to bother my dad, or whoever is
you’ll agree to it. But you have to understand one
with me. I like to be annoying. Sometimes I like
thing, there is profanity that they will be hearing and
to annoy my brother—that keeps me entertained.
sometimes uttering. We have to be on the same page
[Laughs.] I like the hotels, and being on the
Photo by Matt Doyle
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balconies. Actually, we had an accident. Val [Cotto, her costar] accidentally dropped one of my playing cards off the balcony! [Laughs.] And it was one of the queens. So I was like... awww. But it’s fun.
Have you become good friends with Valeria and Christopher from making the movie? Prince: Yeah, they’re pretty cool, and don’t forget Aiden [Malik, who plays Dicky in the film]! Actually, Val and I became best friends at the casting. So we play best friends in the movie and we’re best friends in real life. I met her and I just knew, that was going to be it.
Christopher Rivera, Brooklynn Prince and Valeria Cotto in The Florida Project
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The movie is so much about Moonee’s relationship with her mom. Was it
Brooklynn Prince and Bria Vinaite in The Florida Project
difficult to act like somebody with a different mom? Prince: No, I just pretended Bria was my mom! Baker: Bria actually came down to Orlando a month out from shooting. She spent an entire month before we even needed her to really hang out with the kids and also get a crash course in acting. She was very green. Prince: Green?
Brooklynn, is The Florida Project the first R-rated movie you’ve seen?
Baker: Right, green, which
PRINCE: Oh, yes.
means that she wasn’t
What are some of your other favorite movies?
experienced. She wasn’t even as
Prince: Right now, I love Leap! That’s my favorite one ever…. ever! And
experienced as you, Brooklynn.
I liked Maleficent, Star Wars, Harry Potter. But I also like Tom and Jerry
The wonderful thing is that the
and Looney Tunes. So I’m half pow-and-wow, and half cartoons. I liked
way that these two interacted
Wonder Woman too! It’s out on DVD, so go get it at Wal-Mart!
was very sibling-like. And that’s what I was going for with the
Now that you’ve gone to three film festivals, you must be meeting a lot of
characters. The Halley character
movie stars. Have you gotten to meet anyone you’re very excited about?
had her child when she was
Prince: [Dramatically] Why do you ask? Have you seen my new
around 15 years old. She was a
follower on Instagram? I’ll save that one for last. I met Gary Oldman...
kid having a kid. So I always
I’m really good friends with him. Helen Mirren, Emma Roberts, and
wanted them to have more of
Zachary Quinto. And now for my new follower on Instagram—drumroll
a sisterly relationship than a
please!.. Elle Fanning!... I know, right?
maternal one, even though the
Baker: That one was really special for Brooklynn. We were in Toronto.
maternal relationship shines
She came by and talked for a while.
through at the end, and it
Prince: I’ll tell the whole story: We were at that Hollywood Reporter
feels very real.
place and we were about to take pictures, right Sean? I was sitting there
Prince: Quite real!
on the couch with Bria, and all of the sudden I hear someone out of the
FREI
Brooklynn Prince and her Critics’ Choice Award for Best Young Actor/Actress
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Baker: [Laughs.] Working with Brooklynn, she has a professionalism that matches any seasoned actor I’ve worked with. Also, it’s crazy as a director to ask a six-year-old to improvise, but I saw that she had that capability. You saw the film, so you saw that last scene where she’s eating at brunch, you know we just rolled 20 minutes documenting corner of my ear go, “Brooklynn!
her eating. Of course she got through the scripted lines in maybe a
Get out!” And I was like... you’ve
minute or minute and a half, but then we had 18 minutes just watching
gotta be kidding me. I’m like,
her, conversing with her, and letting her come up with lines. She came
“No, there is not—” And then
up with some really wonderful lines, like that pregnant line—it’s an
I see someone and I go, Is that
incredible moment. I only said, I would not make this film unless I
Elle? “Elle!” And then she turned
found the presence of a Spanky McFarland, and she matched his talent.
around and I was like [Screams.].
Prince: Spanky McFarland?
I ran all the way over to her and I
Baker: Spanky, from The Little Rascals. And it was just... I learned a
hugged her, and we just talked for
lot. I learned a lot about working with children, but the thing is, is that
a little bit about the movie and
I was also working with such a professional that it made my job easy.
how I was her biggest fan, and,
Prince: Thank you so much, Sean!
oh my gosh that was the best day of my life, ever. I love that story! PRINCE: Yeah, me too.
Sean, what was it like for you to go into this second feature and to create this story from a kid’s perspective? Prince: [Impersonating Sean in a deep, gravelly voice.] Um, well, it was great working with Brooklynn, she’s great, and Valeria is pretty cool. Christopher, I liked working with him. So, uh, they’re the best actors in the world. Sean can’t answer right now…
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EMMA
WA T S O N Since her years as Hermione ended, Emma Watson has fought to assert her own identity. She has found her voice—most notably as a U.N. ambassador—she’s revamping a classic stereotype, the Disney princess, in Beauty and the Beast, the live-action musical coming out in March. Watson talks to Vanity Fair about her metamorphosis from child star to leading woman.
E
mma Watson and I are standing on the 23rd Street platform of an uptown bound E train in New York City and we’re littering. Literally. And literature-ly. The 26-year-old actress is scattering hardcover copies of Maya Angelou’s book Mom & Me &
Mom throughout the station—tucking them between pipes, placing them on benches, atop the emergency call box—in hopes that New York commuters will pick them up and put down their smartphones. This display of civil disobedience was conceived by Books on the Underground, a London-based organization that plants books on public transportation for travelers to discover. “We’re being ninjas,” she says with a conspiratorial grin as she digs in a big black rucksack of books. “If there were anyone to be a ninja for, it’d be Maya Angelou.”
Photo (right page) Emma Watson still from Beauty and the Beast
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REBEL
BELLE
FREI
and, unexpectedly for someone who is known for her composure, tears up. Her parents divorced when she was young. “I just remember him reading to me before bed and how he used to do all the different voices. I grew up on film sets, and books were my connection to the outside world. They were my connection to my friends back at school because if I was reading what they were reading we’d have something in common. Later in life, they became an escape, a means of empowerment, a friend I could rely on.” I first met Watson, Hollywood’s latest exception to the rule that all child stars inevitably Photo by Josh Olins
flame out, during Paris Fashion Week more than a decade ago, when she was still a teenager and filming the fourth of the eight Harry Potter films. It was both a homecoming for the
Watson is one of the most famous
she says. As she removes the last
actress—she was born in Paris to
women in the world, the child star who
book, a train pulls into the station.
British parents, both lawyers, and lived
skyrocketed to global fame at the age
She hops in, places it on a seat, hops
there until she was five—and a symbol
of 11 playing brainy Hermione Granger
out, and watches from the platform
of her maturity on-screen. She was
in the Harry Potter movies. Next
as the doors close and a young man
there to attend her first-ever fashion
month, she’s back on the big screen as
inquisitively picks it up.
show, at Chanel, which was a big deal
Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast,
Aboveground, over coffee at a
considering that up until then she had
the big-budget live-action musical—she
nearby café, Watson explains why
shopped in the bridesmaid section at
sings too!—which broke the record for
she thinks reading is “sacred.” There’s
Harrods or borrowed dresses from
most viewed new movie trailer. (That’s
the obvious, professional reason:
her stepmother for movie premieres.
127 million views in its first 24 hours,
Harry Potter was a literary sensation
She was a shy teenager, but friendly,
beating Fifty Shades Darker’s record.)
before becoming the blockbuster
intelligent, and down to earth.
But today she’s makeup-free, her hair
franchise that made her famous and
shoved into a bun, and she’s wearing
a millionaire many times over. But
a nondescript dark wool coat over
books are also rooted in her deepest
Watson is described as much the
a baggy black sweater, completely
personal experiences. “Books gave me
same today: “She’s way more like a real
blending in with New York’s distracted
a way to connect with my father,” she
person than a movie star,” according to
mass-transit masses. “It’s good that
says. “Some of my most precious and
Gloria Steinem, who became a friend
we’re spreading a little bit of love,”
treasured moments . . .” She trails off
when Watson reached out to discuss
NOT YOUR TYPICAL Celebrity
27 Photo by Vincent Peters
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the changing face of feminist activism. (More on that later.)
finding this fame thing was getting to a point of no return,”
Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, who met Watson
she remembers. “I sensed if this was something I was ever
backstage at a performance of the musical, sums it up:
going to step away from it was now or never.” She loved
“She played this very smart, conscious, noble wizard and
performance and telling stories, but she had to reckon
then somehow we had the good fortune that she became
with the consequences of “winning the lottery,” as she calls
a smart, conscious, noble woman.” (They did a video
getting the part of Hermione, when she was nine years old
together—Miranda freestyling, Watson beatboxing—to raise
and literally still losing baby teeth. As an adult, “it dawned
awareness for International Women’s Day. It got more than
on me that this is what you’re really signing up for.” The
six million views.)
question most people ask when a celebrity moans about
Emma and I got to know each other, and I visited her
being famous: If you hate the fanfare so much, why keep
on the sets of the last two Harry Potter films. But as the
making movies? Watson asked herself that all the time. “I’ve
Potter train pulled into its last station, I noticed the clouds
been doing this since I was 10 or 11, and I’ve often thought,
of melancholy forming over her fairy-tale life. “I’d walk down
I’m so wrong for this job because I’m too serious; I’m a pain
the red carpet and go into the bathroom,” she remembers
in the ass; I’m difficult; I don’t fit,” she says. “But as I’ve got
of the last few premieres. “I had on so much makeup and
older, I’ve realized, No! Taking on those battles, the smaller
these big, fluffy, full-on dresses. I’d put my hands on the
ones and the bigger ones, is who I am.”
sink and look at myself in the mirror and say, ‘Who is this?’ I didn’t connect with the person who was looking back at me,
Now or Never
and that was a very unsettling feeling. I’ve often thought,
She recently found the courage to say no to selfie-seekers.
I’m so wrong for this job because I’m too serious.”
“For me, it’s the difference between being able to have a life and not. If someone takes a photograph of me and
Beauty and Brains
posts it, within two seconds they’ve created a marker of
What few people knew when she enrolled at Brown
exactly where I am within 10 meters. They can see what
University in 2009 was that she had a desire to give up
I’m wearing and who I’m with. I just can’t give that tracking
acting and walk away from Hollywood altogether. “I was
data.” Sometimes, she’ll decline a photo but offer up an
“
you can’t have it both ways
” Watson as Hermione in Harry Potter
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autograph or even a chat—“I’ll say, ‘I will sit here and answer every single Harry Potter fandom question you have but I just can’t do a picture’ ”—and much of the time people don’t bother. “I have to carefully pick and choose my moment to interact,” she says. “When am I a celebrity sighting versus when am I going to make someone’s
Photo by Peter Lindbergh
freakin’ week? Children I don’t say no to, for example. I sensed if this was something I was ever going to step
tattooed on their body. I’ve met people
with social media it’s a whole new
away from it was now or never.” I tell
who used the Harry Potter books
world. They’ve both said technology
Watson I’ve watched other actors,
to get through cancer. I don’t know
has changed the game.” When she was
like Reese Witherspoon, walk down
how to explain it, but the Harry Potter
at Brown, Watson went to a Harvard
the street and happily pose with fans
phenomenon steps into a different
football game and The Harvard Voice,
and suddenly it becomes clear that
zone. It crosses into obsession. A big
a student magazine, live-tweeted as its
the fans of Sweet Home Alabama are
part of me coming to terms with it was
staff stalked her at the stadium.
different from Harry Potter fans.
accepting that this is not your average
I remember at Watson’s 18th-
circumstances.” Since the first movie
birthday party in London, the
worse, the Potter books and films
premiered, in 2001, when Watson
photographers outside had a bounty
not only captured the imagination
was 11, there have been numerous
on who could get a picture taken
of millions of people but, for many
incidents with stalkers. “People will
up her skirt. She’s not exaggerating
of them, changed their lives. It’s
say to me, ‘Have you spoken to Jodie
her security concerns, either. She
something Watson is deeply aware
Foster or Natalie Portman? They would
purchased her house sight unseen
of. It was easy to tell she had gone
have great advice for you on how to
over a Skype call with a real-estate
through a lot of interesting encounters.
grow up in the limelight.’ I’m not saying
agent because it had a paparazzi-proof
“I have met fans that have my face
it was in any way easy on them, but
entrance. “Privacy for me is not an
For mostly better and occasionally
FREI
abstract idea,” she says. Watson has
my home. You can’t have it both
a boyfriend, though she adamantly,
ways.” She sits back and wonders if
vehemently refuses to expound on
she should finish this thought, and
him. (The Internet says he’s called
eventually she does: “I’ve noticed, in
Mack, he’s handsome, and he works
Hollywood, who you’re dating gets
in tech in Silicon Valley.) “I want to
tied up into your film promotion and
be consistent: I can’t talk about my
becomes part of the performance and
boyfriend in an interview and then
the circus. I would hate anyone that I
expect people not to take paparazzi
were with to feel like they were in any
pictures of me walking around outside
way part of a show or an act.”
Instagram photo from @emmawatson
31 UN Women Portrait
FREI Hailee Steinfeld “Most Girls” promo shoot
HAILEE HAILEE HAILEE
33
HAILEE STEINFELD
S TA N D S W I T H H E R S I S T E R S
T
o say that Hailee Steinfeld is
that it takes me a while.” Unusually
taking a leisurely approach
for a pop star, Steinfeld came
to her first album would
to singing fame with an Oscar
be an understatement.
nomination already under her belt –
Since her first single, Love Myself,
for best supporting actress, at the
came out in August 2015, followed
age of 14, for a brilliant turn in the
by an EP, Haiz, a couple of months
Coen brothers’ True Grit.
later, fans of the singer have been so desperate for her to release a full-
TIME FOR MUSIC
length that they’ve taken to making
Six years on, she has pivoted in a
banners to wave in her direction at
different direction: despite a return to
live performances. “Hailee, where’s the
critical acclaim in the 2016 coming-
album?” read a succinct plea at the
of-age movie The Edge of Seventeen,
Capital Summertime Ball at Wembley
she is mostly starring in teen-leaning
stadium in June, where Steinfeld was
blockbusters such as Pitch Perfect
re-creating her spot on the huge 2016
2 and the forthcoming Transformers
single Starving, featuring Grey and
spin-off Bumblebee. She is the kind
Zedd. “They’re so patient!” says the
of famous that means her bodyguard
20-year-old the following day. “I’m
paces up and down outside the room
working on the music, and I’m just
while we talk; tabloids write about her
getting it in the perfect place for them
as if every outfit were a showcase for
to hear it.” What’s taking so long?
“flaunting” her legs or her abs. She has
“Well, I’m sort of out of the game when
had to deny she’s dating Justin Bieber.
I make movies, which is a big reason
She’s mates with Taylor Swift. She
FREI
Hailee Steinfeld surrounded by a diverse group of girls in her music video, “Most Girls”
is the kind of famous, then,
does a runner. “I felt that
FROM THE SOUL
that means she understands
we’ve been accepting the
Still, when the video came
how anything she says that
compliment ‘You’re not like
out, that’s not exactly what
deviates from the path of
most girls’ for a very long
the focus was on. “Here I
polite platitudes may be
time. I have. I feel like there’s
am singing this song about
blown out of all proportion.
been this golden standard or
how most girls are beautiful,
And so she is polite, and
rule that in order to be special
strong, independent, have
grateful for every opportunity,
you have to be different to
so much to offer. And the
and points to the hard work
other women,” she explains.
headlines out of that were:
of people behind the scenes
You could say that it’s
‘Hailee tries on a bunch of
of music and movies, and
empowerment pop. It’s about
wigs, shows off her midriff,’
is ever so nice, and a bit
being happy in your own
or whatever. That’s not what
reserved. Her current single,
skin, rather than simpering
I’m trying to say.” Steinfeld
Most Girls, is a tropical house
to a boy’s idea that you’re
grew up in California and,
banger with an intriguing
only worthwhile because
surrounded by a family of
premise, which the video
other girls aren’t. “I think this
music lovers, she has wanted
makes plain. A handsome
generation of women is more
to be a singer for as long as
model type tells her she’s
than ever banding together
she can remember. She is at
not like most girls. Instead
and really lifting each other
pains to make clear that she’s
of swooning at the sight of
up, and I think girls and guys
not an actor-turned-singer;
his chiseled jaw, she looks
are really starting to think
that both careers started at
disappointed in him and
that way as well,” she says.
the same time, it’s just that
35
one took off more quickly. “So the music became more of
is. I was about to perform the song on a talkshow, I was
a side-project over the years, and I would write and record,
nervous as heck, and there I was singing, ‘I love myself’, and
and I would record covers, just so that I could get the feel of
that’s the bottom line.” It may surprise people to know that
being in the studio. Pitch Perfect 2 [which came out in 2015]
she needs the reminder. “Sure. I absolutely do. More so than
was what I used as the perfect bridge into making music,
people would think. I feel like it’s just as easy for me as it is
because it felt like it made sense. It wasn’t necessarily
for my friends in high school and college and at their jobs
random in terms of: here I am as an actor, now I’m releasing
to get wrapped up in our ways of finding validation.” She
music. It was like: here is something I also really love to do.”
means scrolling through Instagram or Facebook, say, and
That first single, Love Myself, sowed the seeds for
feeling like you’re missing out, or that you’ll never measure
Steinfeld’s particular brand of girls-together housey-pop,
up. “It’s very easy and sort of scary at times,” she admits,
though its big chant-led chorus about not needing anybody
but says people still come up to her and tell her that song
else was deliberately open to another level of meaning, with
helped them, and that that’s what matters.
Vice’s music channel Noisey labelling it a “mastur-banger”. “Ah! Nice! Ha ha ha!” she says, raising her eyebrows. It was a
THE CLIQUE
no-brainer that it would be the first single, particularly after
Steinfeld’s initiation into the world of pop came via an
the famed pop producer Max Martin appeared at the studio
appearance in her friend Taylor Swift’s girl-gang video for
unexpectedly and ended up playing percussion on it. “That
Bad Blood in 2015. Is she officially in the squad? She laughs,
was a surreal moment. It was everything I wanted for a first
a little wearily. “It’s so funny, I met Taylor before that was
single. It was bold. It was a reminder to myself how much
ever a thing. Being in that video was so awesome, all the
self-love and self-confidence means and how important that
women in that video are great. The best part was, we were
“ ” I think this generation of women is more than ever banding together and really
lifting each other up
FREI Hailee Steinfeld photographed by Dani Brubaker
37
doing it and it was just sort of, as crazy
what’s next
Strings) and produced by Transformers
as this sounds, a day with friends. And
While Pitch Perfect 3 had come out
franchise maestro Michael Bay. In
then we saw it all together at an awards
a couple months ago, Steinfeld had
addition to that, there is now an answer
show on this massive screen and it was
just finished filming Bumblebee. This
for the fan in the crowd asking for an
just unbelievable.” Was she aware of a
December 21st, we will see one of the
album. “I’m lining them up as we speak.
backlash at the time, that suggested
most famous Transformers breaking
The next song is something I feel very
it was less about friendship, and more
off into his own solo movie. Set in the
strongly about and excited for. Well,
about showing off an exclusive clique?
year 1987, Bumblebee features the
what can I tell you? It’s a collaboration.
There is the faintest crackle of tension
titular yellow robot seeking refuge in a
There are a couple of people on it that
in the air, a slight stiffening of posture,
California junkyard, where he encounters
I really love and consider great friends.
but her smile remains fixed. “Sure.
young Charlie (Hailee Steinfeld).
Unexpected, though. I don’t think anyone
Mmm. Right. I think everybody’s always
Together, Charlie will help nurse the
will see that coming.”
going to have their interpretation of
injured, on-the-run Transformer back to
something. That might be more of a
health, and he will help her find her place
Florida Georgia Line, and Watts released
question for her than it is for me. She
in the world. In addition to Steinfeld,
their single, Let Me Go which reached
asked me to be part of it and I felt
Bumblebee stars Pamela Adlon (Better
Top 40 Charts on Billboard. We cannot
honoured. I loved being part of it; it was
Things) and John Cena. It is directed
wait for more information on Hailee’s
great and the video was beautiful”
by Travis Knight (Kubo and the Two
album and Bumblebee: The Movie!
Hailee Steinfeld first look of her newest film, Bumblebee - a sequel to Transformers.
A week after this interview, Hailee,
FREI
L
ately, I have been drawn to powerful and confident women in the media. Musicians, actresses, writers, even businesswomen are such important role models for young women
— they show us that women can, in fact, be successful in traditionally and predominantly male-dominated industries. Unfortunately, several of these women are afraid to associate with the word “feminist”, primarily due to society’s misconstrued definition of feminism.
Halsey at the Women’s March 2018
However, up-and-coming artist Halsey is not one to shy away from showing support for the feminist movement, pioneering a refreshing and much needed change of pace in the entertainment industry. Many may find Halsey, otherwise known as Ashley Frangipane, controversial. Now sporting a blue pixie cut, the young New Jersey native is not afraid of pushing boundaries. Being mixed race, bisexual, and bipolar, she is quite possibly one of the most unique artists on the scene before she even opens her mouth. And when she does open her mouth, she is an open book — listening to her music is like reading her diary. She writes truths, drawing on real life events and people in ways that are almost devious. Stories of sex and drugs are frequent and blunt in her lyrics, something atypical for many female teenage pop stars. She doesn’t hold back, breaking the stereotypical expectation that women should be cautious and conforming not only in their daily lives, but also in their artwork.
39 Halsey photographed for Badlands
HAlsey HAlsey HAlsey
FREI
Halsey performing on the Today Show in New York
So why is Halsey so important
empowering to work towards your
in the music industry, especially
dreams and battle all the obstacles
when she is a relatively new artist
that come along the way. To an
with a still developing fan-base?
audience of nearly 400 thousand
Not only is she diverse in that she is
Twitter followers, Halsey voices her
artistically unique, but she provides
opinions, popular or otherwise, and
representation for mixed race women
shares content she believes should be
in the media. Young girls crave role
seen and heard by her fans.
models, and Halsey is an incredible
While to many she may seem like
and inspiring model for young women
just another run-of-the-mill woman
of mixed ethnicities. She is edgy and
in the public eye, I strongly believe
fiercely free-willed; the majority of
Halsey is the first of many female
the decisions regarding her publicity,
idols to begin destroying the sexist
touring, and music come directly from
representation of women in the media.
her mouth. She takes charge of her
If you’re not already listening to her,
own person, teaching young girls that
start now! She is talented, smart,
it’s okay to be considered “bossy” and
strong, and fiercely needed in this
to be your own individual. Sure, our
world of male privilege. Young girls
mothers teach us that from day one,
need role models, and Halsey teaches
but how often do we see this lesson
us to be ourselves, to be vocal and
portrayed in entertainment media?
powerful, and to work hard to make
Halsey represents the underdog,
our dreams come true. As if anyone
teaching us, as females, that it is
needs further proof that Halsey is the
41
musician of the moment (aside from
the past. She recently talked to CBS
her killer style, risk-taking beauty looks,
News about the challenges she faces
and those Justin Bieber memes), her
being pigeonholed as a “pop” in the
latest album just landed her at No.
industry, even though that’s not how
1 on Billboard’s Top 200 list, making
she sees herself and has put out
her the first woman of 2017 to top
an alternative album. “Festivals like
the charts. According to Billboard,
Coachella, they pride themselves on
Ashley “Halsey” Frangipane’s latest
being part of the counterculture, being
album, Hopeless Fountain Kingdom,
tastemakers, upholding themselves to
has sold 106,000 album units between
a certain standard of the artists that
June 2 (when it debuted) and June
they include, and I think one of the
9 — which isn’t surprising considering
problems is that female artists are so
its first single, “Now or Never” has
often tainted as pop artists even when
probably been stuck in your head for
they don’t necessarily intend to be,” the
the past week. Of the 106,000 units
singer-songwriter said. “Female artists
Halsey sold that week, 76,000 of them
can put out the same style of a record
were traditional album sales. The
as a male artist and when a male artist
impressive sales were enough to land
does it, it has a certain type of dignity,
the “Closer” singer (another song that’s
it has a certain type of edge... as soon
impossible to shake) the top spot on
as a woman puts out a record of the
the Billboard 200 chart, a feat that
same caliber, it’s immediately filed as a
hasn’t been achieved by a woman in
pop record no matter what.”
seven months. Billboard, also points out that the last female to top the charts was Lady Gaga, who hit No. 1 with her album Joanne on Nov. 12, 2016. In the last year, only two other women have earned the honor: Solange Knowles with A Seat at the Table and Barbra Streisand with Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway. Hopefully, Halsey’s latest honor marks a new chapter in music that’s much more inclusive. Music industry sexism is something Halsey has been outspoken about in
Halsey photographed for Badlands
FREI
INEZ
V I NOO D H
43
image
feature Inez van Lamsweerde and her partner, Vinoodh Matadin, were pioneers of digital manipulation in fashion photography. One of Inez’s early successes, 1994’s For your Pleasure, was a series of images altered on a Paintbox computer. People freaked out, and an appreciation for making photos look all crazy with a computer was born. Inez and Vinoodh have been together both professionally and personally for close to two decades. They’re basically inseparable, which is both cute and pretty intimidating when you think of the artistic powerhouse the two of them make. Their work blends fashion and art perfectly, which means an ad they shoot for Gucci will have as much creativity and originality as their personal projects. Despite their ubiquitous work, Ms. van Lamsweerde and Mr. Matadin are not exactly household names. But the Dutch couple, who are also married, are hoping to change that. They have been darlings of the fashion world for much of their 27-year career, and are now crossing over into the cultural mainstream. The goal, they say, is to become a lifestyle brand. In celebration for this first issue and putting attention to the beauty of monotone photos, here are some of the duo’s praised work in black and white.
FREI Victoria Beckham
45
Lady Gaga
Scarlett Johansson
FREI Saoirse Ronan
Gabourey Sidibe
Brie Larson
Vanessa Paradis
47 Julianne Moore
Jennifer Lawrence
Rihanna
FREI
TIME’S UP, FRANCO
A
ddressing the crowd at the 2018 Los Angeles Women’s March, Scarlett Johansson called out men who claim to support the #TimesUp movement to end, among other problems, sexual harassment, but who have taken advantage of women in the past. In particular, her comments seemed pointed at actor-writ-
er-director James Franco, and reps for the actress confirmed that she was indeed talking about him when she said, “I want my pin back.” Franco, a strong contender this awards season for his work in The Disaster Artist, wore a #TimesUp pin on the Golden Globes red carpet, prompting multiple women to speak out on Twitter about his past inappropriate behavior. Franco didn’t directly address the issue but expressed his support for the movement in an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, and after the Los Angeles Times printed a report in which five women accused him of sexual misconduct (cajoling women into appearing nude on camera, removing safety barriers during sex scenes, physically pressuring young women into sexual acts), he denied the allegations. Johansson, it seems, believes the accusers. In her speech, which also touched on her own experiences as a young woman in Hollywood and the increased need to create an atmosphere in which all people can advocate for themselves, she asked, “How could a person publicly stand by an organization that helps to provide support for victims of sexual assault while privately
Exclusive portrait photo for #TimesUp by Brian Hodes
preying on people who have no power?” She then added, “I want my pin back, by the way.”
49
FREI
PROUD SUPPORTERS OF