A Café Scene Starring Madeleine Arthur
Karen Walker Mariana Dress
Actress Madeleine Arthur is one of the kindest people you’ll meet. The Vancouver native, who captivated audiences with her breakout performance in Tim Burton’s Big Eyes—where she played the daughter of Amy Adams—has an exciting year ahead. Her upcoming projects include reprising her role as Chris in the much anticipated recent release of To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, a sequel to the runaway Netflix movie To All the Boys I've Loved Before, based upon the book series by Jenny Han. Fresh off her first New York fashion week, we chatted with her about the book that inspired her career path, why the film franchise resonates so much with her audiences and her current life motto.
Photography by Alison Engstrom
Makeup by Robert Reyes; Hair by Evie Ry
Shot on location at Canary Club New York
How did your acting career begin?
I was always interested in the arts and performing. I was really fortunate that my parents allowed me to try different activities growing up like music, sports and theater camp—I was always drawn to performing. I focused on playing the violin and gymnastics, which both have a performing element, especially the floor routine which was my favorite. My song for a couple of years was In the Hall of the Mountain King—-I enjoyed being very dramatic with it. You could make it a little story with the music. When I was 12, I read a book called Theater Geek: The Real Life Drama of a Summer at Stagedoor Manor, the Famous Performing Arts Camp, and I became so enthralled by it and wanted to take a lot more acting classes. I completely fell in love with it. I had this gut instinct that it was what I wanted to do. I want to go back and reread it because I am so curious what 12-year-old me was so drawn to; the camp seemed so inviting and open to anyone with any interest in the arts.
What made you decide to go from reading books about acting to making it your profession?
When I first took classes, back when I was 12, they were focused on television and film. Opportunities eventually came around and auditioning was a natural progression. I was a very driven kid in all respects, whether it was academics, gymnastics or acting. My grandpa always said, ‘do it well or not at all’ and I think that has stuck with me. I was always inspired by movies and loved watching them. Looking back at pictures from when I was a kid, I was way more of a ham than I thought I was. I knew I wanted to be an actor so I was just trying to figure out how to manifest it. My first big leading role that opened up and expanded my horizons was Big Eyes—it really changed my life. I know that sounds cliché and cheesy but it was a dream to work on that and alongside Amy Adams. She is one of the most gifted actresses on the planet; she is a wonderful human and a role model for any actor.
Before you signed on to star as Christine in To All the Boys films, were you at all familiar with the series written by Jenny Han?
It was a standard auditioning process but as I got further along the line, I picked up the books. All of the actors wouldn't have had these dynamic characters to play without her writing.
The first movie, “To All the Boys” became one of the most viewed original films on Netflix with more than 80 million people who watched it. Why do you think it has resonated so much with audiences?
I think the joy that it brings to people in this world that has so many things going wrong. It’s the relatable characters who represent society and at the end of the day, it’s uplifting and so charming. Netflix gave it a platform that it could succeed on and reach a large audience.
How far apart did you film the three movies?
Between the first and second was the largest gap because we never expected to have the wonderful opportunity to do a second and third movie. We filmed the last two back to back with a few weeks between them.
What would you say is the difference between stepping back into a character, like Chris, versus taking on a role on a new project?
Coming back to this character was first and foremost exciting. It was different because time had passed and you have all of these other life experiences. I revisited the books and the scripts and I watched clips from the first movie to get Chris’ mannerisms and demeanor back again. Since it was a continuation, you aren't creating a whole new character and it’s different than doing a TV series when you know you are doing a whole season. It was really enjoyable, we were all in it together as a cast bringing the characters back to life.
What hobbies or passions do you have outside of acting?
I alway love to step out of my comfort zone and do a bunch of classes. I've done pottery, tango, Bollywood fusion class and going to museums. I love exploring and adventuring.
What advice have you received that has helped guide your career so far?
My former co-star Christoph Waltz said don't be just an actor, which means to continue to expand your knowledge outside acting and to live your life because otherwise, you have nothing to work off of. More recently I got some really great specific acting advice from Nick Cage. I was on set filming a movie in Portugal called Color Out of Space and I was on horseback and the horse was eating the grass and I was delivering lines and when we finished the scene and I was like, I could have done something this way or made a different choice in the scene and he said, “Ah, the art of the second guess.” I feel like it’s so simple, yet excellent advice, to be free, live in the moment and then to let it go.
Dress Beaufille; Earrings Young Frankk; Bracelets Lady Grey; Ring Joanna Laura Constantine; Hat Clyde
How do you practice intention and stay centered in your daily life?
I love meditating, I think that’s key for me in keeping a clear mind. I often use Headspace and some other apps. I love getting fresh air, I think it’s equally important whether you do a ten minute or an hour walk.
What would you say is your current life motto?
That’s a really great question! My current life motto that keeps me feeling very at ease and confident are what I call the three p’s and that’s being patient, persistent and prepared.
You have a busy 2020, so where you Can we catch you next?
You can catch me on Chad, which is a hilarious show on TBS and Snowpiercer. I just joined a new project, which I’m really excited to start filming in a couple of week that I can’t talk about yet.
You can follow Madeleine Arthur on Instagram
You can watch To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You now streaming on netflix
A special thank you to the Canary Club team in New York