Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfries talks about trading Hollywood for horses, dealing with her screen addiction, and why low expectations might be the secret to her success.
Text by SARAH CRISTOBAL
Photo: CAMERON McCOOL
Styling ELIZABETH STEWART
Blazer, bodysuit and panties by SPORTMAX.
“We probably shouldn’t hug,” is the first thing Amanda Seyfried says when we meet at an Upper West Side diner in late December . “My son puked all over me.” The accident happened a few days ago, and Amanda Seyfried is all mommy and worried about spreading germs. He hasn’t had an appetite lately, but decides to order a giant bowl of chicken noodle soup. Two servers buzz around us like hummingbirds, and I can’t tell if they recognized the 39- year-old Oscar- nominated actress or are just being hypervigilant. Thankfully, the soup works its magic. “I can’t believe I ate this like a normal person,” Seyfried says. Although she began her career at 15 and has enjoyed success since, Seyfried isn’t hardened by show business. She can sing (as demonstrated in “Mamma Mia!” and “Les Misérables” ) and act. She was nominated for an Oscar (for “Mank” ) and won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes in “The Dropout.” Her most recent project is a television series for Peacock, an adaptation of the bestselling novel “Long Bright River” by Liz Moore. Seyfried plays a police officer (Mickey Fitzpatrick) whose sister is gripped by addiction.
L’OFFICIEL ITALIA : Your latest project is “Long Bright River”.
AMANDA SEYFRIED: I think Liz Moore’s intention is to introduce us to the people of Kensington (a neighborhood in Philadelphia where the book is set). It’s not just a TV thriller; it talks about what happens to sex workers and drug addicts. It’s about humanity and empathy. It ‘s also about police corruption, and then, of course, there’s the connection to a police officer who loses her sister, who is a severe drug addict. When you go to Kensington, you see a place where people are struggling. When I was in the backseat of a car driving through it, it was a revelation. It was difficult to step into that world. I’m very glad I learned more about it. I didn’t know about harm reduction programs. There are so many blind spots in my life as a 39-year-old. That’s why I love acting: I can grow through the work I do.
Long ruffle dress and shoes, CHLOÉ; HardWear necklace, Lock bracelet, and T by Tiffany ring in white gold, TIFFANY & Co.
LOI: You played a policewoman, that was new for you.
AS: It was my dream to play a cop because my best friend, Jennifer Carpenter, always plays a cop in that kind of thing. I project my fears onto everything else.
LOI: You have a farm in the countryside north of New York. Being in nature is healing.
AS: This city is great, but I don’t want to live here permanently. I want to survive mentally and emotionally. We have six horses, 20 chickens, some goats, and a donkey. Goats are the best. I also have a lizard. Today it had an x-ray because we said, “It hasn’t pooped in two months,” but it was hibernating. My dog, Finn, is 15 years old. I wake up every morning wondering if he’s still alive. He doesn’t come to work with me anymore. I’m currently shooting *The Housemaid* with Sydney Sweeney and I asked her, “Do you have a dog you can bring on set?” Thank goodness he does .
LOI: Are you happy to be working with (director) Paul Feig on “The Housemaid”?
AS: Yes, I’ve wanted to work with him for years. Bridesmaids is one of my top ten favorite films of all time.
Wool sweater and sweater tied into a scarf, shiny leather skirt with porthole and slingback, PRADA.
LOI: Who else would you like to work with?
AS: I’m obsessed with Ruben Östlund. I loved “The Square “ and “Force Majeure . “ I really wanted to be in his new movie, “The Entertainment System is Down,” with Kirsten Dunst and Daniel Brühl. It looks like it’s going to be the funniest movie ever.
LOI: You were so young when you started working in this industry. How did you stay the course?
AS: I never became very famous. Growing up, there was no social media. I started an Instagram account at 25. Also, I always had the same friends. I never took myself too seriously. Taking yourself too seriously, to me, means having expectations. And I realized very early in life that expectations lead to disappointment. I’ve been an actor since I was 15. When I didn’t get a job, I was devastated. I never believed I would get the job, I just hoped. And when I did, it was incredible! “Oh, Mom!” For me, it was a huge achievement. When I auditioned for Mean Girls, I didn’t know what it was about. I was 17 and just happy to have an acting role. Having low expectations isn’t the healthiest way to live, but it helped me. Also, my parents have always been very supportive of me and my sister. And that’s very important. And then, of course, a house in the country.
LOI: Is this the place you go to relax?
AS: It’s a small stone house with a lot of land. I built my dream kitchen for you. It took a year, but now it’s finally over. You have to get down to business (renovating your house), otherwise you’ll never get it done. There ‘s no better time than the present, because next week you could be dead.
Feather-print T-shirt and pants, LOEWE; yellow gold and diamond T by Tiffany bracelet, TIFFANY & Co.
“I have received an education in life and also an education in love” Amanda Seyfried
Cardigan and bodysuit by GUCCI; watch, LORCA.
LOI: Do you want to build a small shelter?
AS: Like Amish barns. I bought one for the goats. It’s so beautiful. It’s insulated, and you can put windows wherever you want.
LOI: You recently founded “Make It Cute,” a company that produces sustainable playhouses for children: How is that going?
AS: If you open the window at the back, you can put half of your body inside and make it your little house! It’s a small business that’s finally taking off. We attended various events and met other creatives, all women. These are very inspiring spaces, and they should be inspiring, but sometimes they frustrate me. Is it all about knowledge? It depends on how much money and capital you have to begin with? I didn’t go to school for that. I didn’t go to school at all.
LOI: You have worked, and that in itself is an education.
AS: That’s true. I couldn’t attend my first class (at Fordham University) because I was working (on “Mean Girls”). I definitely received an education for life. And it’s also an education in love .
LOI: As someone who values sustainability, how do you approach fashion?
AS: I love sweaters. I love The Elder Statesman and The Row. I think they’re great. I don’t buy them because I can’t.
Embroidered jacket and skirt, pearl necklace, CHANEL; sandals, GIANVITO ROSSI.
LOI: There are always sample sales!
AS: But then I have to go somewhere! You know, I love old jeans too . You can’t buy new ones anymore because they ‘re bad for the environment . When I buy jeans, I buy them from Reformation and immediately return them if they don’t fit. I just moved everything out of his house in Los Angeles, which he describes as a “giant warehouse.” I love Givenchy blazers. I have a Stella McCartney dress I bought when I was 21.
LOI: Your career is closely linked to fashion. What was it like working as an ambassador for Givenchy?
AS: I love Riccardo Tisci and Clare Waight Keller. I wore Riccardo a lot. Then I spent four years making perfumes, which was difficult. Back then, I didn’t particularly like perfumes. And I don’t want to be inauthentic.
Body with all-over stud appliqués, DIOR; choker, MATEO NEW YORK.
Leather bomber jacket, men’s suit, shirt, tie, and belt, SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO. Wear makeup with Teint Idole Ultra Wear Care & Glow Foundation, LANCÔME, throughout the treatment.
HAIR: Renato Campora @ KALPANA
MAKEUP: Genevieve Herr @ SALLY HARLOR
NAILS: Jolene Brodeur @ THE WALL GROUP
CREATIVE CONSULTANT: Mariana Suplicy
PHOTO ASSISTANT: Coop Alexander