The Foreboding: Fractured

Photography by - Carly Zavala

Spectral

Chelsea LeSage

Something is alluring about the horror movie genre. Its intriguing appeal crosses the boundaries of generations. Fear is an emotional state that we can all relate to. My memories of staying up late at age 12 to watch Christopher Lee portraying Dracula will be with me forever.

Established sector

Things have significantly changed over the years and paved the way forward for special effects to complement authenticity and harness new talent. In turn, this brings a welcome dimension to an already established sector.

TV has indeed stolen some of the limelight on some level; however, there is an argument to suggest that this only generates a broader audience. In addition, emerging stars now have social media on their side, a voice online that can often bang on the doors of opportunity.

Brand

Chelsea LeSage; influencer, model, actress, writer and producer. An eclectic mix of skills that have now defined her brand. In this interview, I wanted to steer away from tradition and engage more personally.

A model from the age of 14, her striking features and fiery red hair paved the way for success in that industry. However, a love of the arts would soon see her awarded a BFA in acting in 2014. This would facilitate a stage presence that would eventually take her on a path into the movie industry.

Portfolio

When I viewed some of the images in her modelling portfolio, I was particularly surprised by just how many different looks she had achieved. I believe that this variety and diversity got the attention of movie and TV producers who needed someone who could appeal to a broader audience. However, this should not detract from her acting abilities; having had the privilege of meeting her, you could sense her screen presence.

Chelsea knows how to play to the camera; every so often, there is a reminder that she owns it. Her striking features and unquestionable work ethic drew me to her profile. An abundance of opportunities lay in wait for this up and coming actress, who has the nickname of the mermaid. I will let you place that image in your mind before you say; oh yeah, I see it now.

Chelsea co-founded both CL Squared Productions and Golden Grand Piano Productions. She has toured internationally in William Shakespeare's "Henry V" and has modelled for brands such as Cover Girl, Yitty, JC Penny and Venus. Chelsea is known for her role as Julie in Amazon Prime's "21st Century Demon Hunter," is codirecting the series "Predator," and is producing and playing the antagonist The Nameless in the upcoming horror feature "Bishop's Cove."

At 30 years old, she has portrayed Lady Macbeth in "Macbeth" numerous times, both on stage and on film. On stage, Chelsea is next lined up to play Beatrice in "Much Ado About Nothing" at the Trinity Theatre in New York and then she is to reprise her lead role of Katrina in Gordon Farrell's "Girls Who Walked On Glass" later this year. On film, she has wrapped a short and a feature with several more in the works. She also spends time on the beach with her dogs or composing music for horror films.

As a kid, what were you like?

According to my family, I was always a goofball and perpetually happy. My teachers said I was shy. They were shocked to find out I grew up to be an actor.

what did you want to be when you grew up?

I've always wanted to be a mermaid, but I remember that I went through phases. Some of the highlights were being an egyptologist in grade four, and by grade five, I was determined to be an astronaut.

Did you have a favourite toy?

I shoplifted a stuffed Barney the dinosaur as a toddler. My family let me keep it. They swear they didn't know I had it. We were inseparable after that.

Photography by - Amy Ezgi Silahtar

Describe what your parents were like during your childhood?

I grew up with the best family. We were all super close, and I felt I could tell my parents anything. Mom and dad were always supportive and hilarious and went above and beyond every single day.

Did you experience bullying while growing up?

I was 5'11 by middle school, so I was definitely the subject of bullying from mean girls who hadn't hit puberty yet. I was made fun of for being in a band, but I never let it get to me.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the centre of The Berkshires. The culture and art and the influence of my tight-knit family definitely helped steer me to a life in entertainment.

What subjects were your best and worst at school?

I have always been terrible at math. However, by the time I was in high school, some math teachers were alright with me getting tutored and would actually let me leave math class to go to the choir or band rooms. It was awesome. I loved English and history as well.

What was the name of your favourite teacher in school?

In high school, Jess Passetto was the choir and theatre teacher. I'll never forget going to her with my clarinet teacher Bill Chapman and telling her I wanted to move to New York and go to theatre school. So I owe an awful lot to them.

While growing up, what were your favourite games?

I played basketball and track and field. I loved the competition. And, of course, theatre and improv games were my favourites.

What did you and your childhood friends do for fun?

We played sports, volunteered at shelters and drove around belting musical theatre!

Recount your most embarrassing childhood experience?

I did tap and jazz from a young age. However, before middle school, my family did me the kindness of letting me quit because without fail, I would fall from a high kick at literally every dress recital.

What kind of student would you say you were?

It was always important to me to do well in school. I was one of those kids where a B+ grade was the end of the world. With sports, music, theatre and other extracurriculars, I learned time management very young. I'm not saying I'm great at managing my time, even today, but it gave me a great foundation.

What is the craziest thing you did while in school to help your classmates?

Oh, god, I have no idea. I'd talk to boys they liked for them or occasionally, if I was brave enough, would confront people who bullied them. Nobody messes with my friends!

Do you have any talent that you consider useless?

I have a Rolodex of Shakespeare monologues stored in my brain and randomly recite them out loud in conversation. I'm also really good at racing video games.

Photography by -Sezen June Sinan

If I gave you the keys to a Tardis (Time Machine), where would you travel to and why?

I definitely would love to visit ancient Egypt as it was my favourite civilisation to learn about. I even taught myself hieroglyphics and would love to help inscribe a pharaoh's tomb!

It's the end of the world, and you have been asked to write a message in a Time Capsule. What would you write and why?

Wow, this is a good question! Of course, knowing me, I'd be facetious and say like, "Ah, I knew this was coming." But I would also write some quotes and lyrics that have survived the centuries or that deserve to live on after the end of the world as we knew it (Shakespeare quotes and Joni Mitchell lyrics are a must).

If you could whisper in the ear of a 10-year-old version of yourself, what would you say and why?

I would quote Hamlet for sure when Polonius says, "To thine own self be true." I would tell myself to always be unadulterated myself and not be afraid of others or be afraid to dream. Then, I'd make some lame joke.

If a parallel universe existed, what job do you think you would be doing and why?

Hmmmmm. I'd be doing something with the ocean or with animals. Let's get crazy and say even ocean animals! Or, it'd be nice to be a bog witch.

They say that the older we get, the more set in our ways we become. What characteristic about you has got worse over the years?

I am SO unbelievably stubborn. I grow and learn every day, but I am more stubborn now than ever in that when I set my sights on something, I stop at nothing to achieve it.

If you were stuck on a desert island and could choose four people to be with, who would they be and why?

First would be my greatest mentor and best friend, my mother. She'd make me laugh, teach me how to make a shelter, and she'd love being on the beach forever. Second, I'd bring Neil Diamond and Stevie Nicks so we would both be entertained by our favourite artists forever. Lastly, I have no idea! Tom Hiddleston is resourceful, strong and very nice to look at.

You have just found out that you have won the lottery. What is the first thing you would do and why?

I'd pay off everyone I care about's debts and buy my mom a horse farm! I would love the opportunity to pay back others who have helped me become who I am today.

You have just found out that you have the lead to play a superhero in a film. You get to choose two superpowers. What would they be and why?

Invisibility is a must, as well as flying! Being able to sneak through or fly over a crowd and witness the world from a new perspective would be awesome!

What good deed would you do if money was no object and why?

It is my goal to open an animal shelter and help get them all good homes. If I could rescue every animal, I would.

Photography by - Carly Zavala

Chelsea LeSage is an NYC based actor/model/composer/director/producer and the cofounder of CL Squared Productions and Golden Grand Piano Productions. She plays The Nameless in the upcoming Bishop’s Cove, Lady Macbeth in Macbeth: A Cursed Film and Julie in Amazon’s 21st Century Demon Hunter. She has modelled for JC Penny, Venus, Sephora, Michael Kors, Paul Mitchell, Cover Girl and many more. She is currently working on the feature films The Virginia Bitches and The Coohatch and just wrapped the world premiere of A Wedding Story at The Chain Theatre. www.chelsealesage.com

With over 680k Instagram followers, Chelsea continues to build her brand.