Covergirl Janel Parrish

Words by Bec Doyle | September 16 2020

Janel arrived on location for the first ever M. Citizen Magazine cover shoot bare-faced and beautiful, ready to kick things off! As she explains in our interview, wrapping her first film since the pandemic hit gave her a “newfound perspective on how lucky we are to be able to do the things we love.”

Holly and Ivie, (dropping later this year) is a "tugs on your heartstrings kind of movie. It has some extremely sad moments but it’s also sweet and romantic as well, so all the feels with a Christmas movie!” Parrish enthuses.

Dress by Atelier Zuhra @atelierzuhra 45 carat custom blue Topaz ring with black diamonds by AZATURE @azature Fringe Diamond Earrings, Baguette overlap Diamond Ring, Queen Tennis Bracelet by Coly Los Angeles @colylosangeles White jade bracelet by PlayHardLookDope Based in New York, NY @playhardlookdope

Photo Glenn Nutley, Wardrobe Stylist Linda Medvene @lindamedvenestyling , Makeup Mina Abramovic @abramovicm , Hair Chris Martin @bychrismartin

But filming during a pandemic has its challenges. Masks and mandated 6ft distances jolted Parrish. “I think one of the things we love about being on set is being able to mingle with people, and people in different departments,” Parrish explains. As tough as the COVID protocols were, the picture wrapped on time, and being part of one of the first productions back made Parrish extremely grateful.

Photo Glenn Nutley, Wardrobe Stylist Linda Medvene @lindamedvenestyling , Makeup Mina Abramovic @abramovicm , Hair Chris Martin @bychrismartin

When the pandemic hit, like everyone, Parrish found herself with A LOT of extra time on her hands. At first, with her husband still able to work, Parrish embraced the time to relax with her pup: “We watched a lot of TV, ate a lot of food, we did a lot of cooking and a lot of cuddling.” She even picked up a new skill, cross stitching; “I just find it so soothing, but you still have to really focus,” she adds. It wasn’t long till Parrish discovered she needed a routine and structure to survive the days in lockdown, and so she set herself basic routines to get through each day.

“Like everybody, there were great weeks and some weeks when you felt, ‘This sucks!”

The unforeseen time off from filming and photo shoots, allowed Parrish the opportunity to pour her creativity into a different avenue, and delve into the world of script development. Parrish discloses there are some exciting projects on the horizon, but we’ll just have to wait for now. “I might have some fun updates for you next time, so stay tuned”, Parrish adds with a cheeky laugh.

To All The Boys I Loved Before : Love Always and Forever Lara Jean was originally slated for release late 2020, but due to the pandemic, it has been pushed to early 2021. So fans of the beloved franchise, based on the New York Times best seller, will have to wait a little longer to see how the story ends. “It just very beautifully wraps up Lara Jean and Peter’s love story,” Parrish says. This third installment takes a deeper look into family and relationships, and sees the Covey girls bonding over their heritage, and girls’ trip to Korea. “I’m really excited for people to see that footage, it’s going to be beautiful”, Parrish adds.

Janel wears Dress by Elisabetta Franchi @ElisabettaFranchi White Topaz Emerald cut eternity band, Pearl and Diamond Drop Earrings By Coly Los Angeles @colylosangeles Emerald Snake Cuff Featuring 14 carats of emeralds and diamonds by AZATURE @azature

Photo Glenn Nutley, Wardrobe Stylist Linda Medvene @lindamedvenestyling , Makeup Mina Abramovic @abramovicm , Hair Chris Martin @bychrismartin

Reminiscent of an Golden Age Of Hollywood starlet, glammed and ready for our cover shoot, Parrish admits that in her personal life, she usually opts for a more low key approach to beauty and fashion.

I love getting dolled up for shoots, I could just never do this to myself,

she proclaims with a laugh. Describing her style as “a little bit rocker-chic meets girly,” she says her signature go-to outfit consists of a black t-shirt, jeans and combat boots, which allows her to mix things up and have fun with accessories. Generally opting for a minimal make-up look, when she’s not on set or the red carpet, the natural beauty reveals she can’t live without “Smith’s strawberry rosebud lip balm--I could eat it.” Parrish lets us in on the secret to her ageless appearance: an Icelandic plant based skincare line, Bio Effect. “It’s an amazing nighttime serum that I put on every night before bed, and then I wake my skin is just glowing,” she adds.

Janel wears Dress by Elisabetta Franchi @ElisabettaFranchi Lux Diamond Hoop, Lux Diamond Link Choker Jewerly by Coly Los Angeles Bracelets By PlayHardLookDope Based in New York, NY @playhardlookdope

Photo Glenn Nutley, Wardrobe Stylist Linda Medvene @lindamedvenestyling , Makeup Mina Abramovic @abramovicm , Hair Chris Martin @bychrismartin