Marie Claire UK - 10.2019

Interview

80

ElizabethDebicki must think I’m stalking her. I first met the

Australianstar best known for the hit BBC spy dramaThe Night

Managerthree years ago when she was living in London. This

time,we meet in LA, where she’s been based since the beginning

of the year. ‘How’s London?’ she enquires with a smile, standing

6ft3in tall in a flowing Grecian-style dress and velvet ballet flats.

I tell her I’ve actually just moved here to LA, too. Then, it turns

out we live down the road from one another. ‘Get out!’ she says.

Butit speaks volumes about the 29-year-oldWidowsstar as she

thoughtfullyreels off recommendations for the best coffee, yoga

andflowers in the area, when she knows we should be discussing

her new role as the latest recipient of the Women in Film Max Mara

Faceof the Future Award. The next time I see her (stalking, much?)

is later that evening at a chic cocktail party thrown by Max Mara/

Woman in Film in her honour at the legendary Chateau Marmont

• the very hotel where Debicki auditioned for her first Hollywood
  film, Baz Luhrmann’s 2013 adaptation of The Great Gatsby.
  Working the room in an oversized cream trouser suit, this cool
  chameleon is an affirmative far cry from that nervous ingénue...
  As well as honouring you for your (obvious!) acting
  achievements, Face of the Future commends your ‘timeless
  style and grace’. How would you describe your own style?
  ‘Changeable. I change and assimilate culturally wherever I am,
  which is part of my personality, I think. I can be in London for
  12 hours and it’s like jeans, coat and boots. It doesn’t matter if the
  sun is shining, that’s it.’
  I can vouch for that because I’ve met you in London.
  ‘And then in LA, I’m like, “Who am I?” I’m all peasant and flowy.’

ActressElizabeth Debicki talks to

Martha Hayesabout empowering

career moments, stealing her

character’s clothes and playing

it cool in front of Mick Jagger

ALL EYES ON

ELIZABETH