Q: What is one thing you can’t live without?
A: Exercise. I do my best to move my body every day whether its a Pilates class, a hike or just a short walk with my son. I do it as much for my mind as my body at this point and always know I’ll feel better on the other side. I can honestly say I’ve never regretted a workout.
Q: Why is it important for women to support women?
A: Because we’re stronger together than we ever are apart. Especially since becoming a mother its even more curious to me that women aren’t running the entire world already. We are naturally strong, brave and nurturing.
Q: If you could spend the day with anyone living or dead, who would it be and why?
A: I’d love to spend some time with Michelle Obama. I recently finished her book “Becoming” and fell for her hard. I find her so inspirational as a professional, mother and wife and would love the chance to have the chats.
Q: What has been the most rewarding project of your career?
A: I’m fully aware of the cheesiness of this answer but I think having my son has been my most rewarding project so far. And in turn has impacted my career in a massively positive way. It has really helped me set up priorities and not waste time on things that don’t matter to me. If something isn’t fueling or feeding my personal or professional life, then its time to stop and help fuel or feed my son.
Q: When were you happiest?
A: On our Honeymoon in Italy. Hopping from one gorgeous spot to the next, not a care in the world. Eating all the food, drinking alllllll the wine with our most difficult decision being whether to take a nap or not! I fully intend to relive that trip at some point in the future.
Q: What is the worst job you’ve done?
A: I’d like to think that every job I’ve done whether it be in the industry or not has taught me something valuable and helped shaped me. But I will say there was one very high profile restaurant I worked at where I encountered some “career” servers who were so genuinely miserable and unhappy that it was hard to lift my head and work my couple of shifts each week. I’m eternally grateful that that job is no longer a part of my life!
Q: Where is one place in the world you would love to visit next?
A: I’ve got my eye on somewhere really tropical next. Maybe Fiji, Tahiti, The Seychelles, who knows?!?
Q: How do you relax?
A: At home with my family around me. Bliss.
Q: What is your daily skincare routine?
A: The answer to that question is a little different post baby than it was pre! But one thing that hasn’t changed is my devotion to Dermalogica. I’ve been using their products for years and love the way they leave my skin feeling. I always use their eye make up remover to get rid of mascara and their cleanser to wash my face. Then I use a spray toner, face oil, moisturizer and finish with eye cream. If I have time or if my skin is feeling a little dull I’ll do a charcoal mask or use an exfoliating pad to give my skin a little extra umph.
Q: What is your most cherished beauty product?
A: Dermalogica Daily Resurfacer Pouches. They can fix A LOT!!!
Q: Favorite accessory and why?
A: As a surprise gift on our wedding day my husband gave me a diamond and rose gold bangle. It’s beautiful, classic and compliments every outfit.
Q: What is your favorite high end brand to splurge on?
A: The older I get the more I believe in investing in classic staples. I own some gorgeous pairs of Christian Louboutin heels, some vintage Chanel bags and a great Chloe everyday handbag. With these pieces in my wardrobe I can pair them with pretty much anything highstreet, Target, H&M, you name it and the look feels classy and pulled together.
Q: What is the biggest misconception about your profession?
A: That every actor wants to be famous/is an extrovert/is attention seeking. As an actor most people assume I’m an extrovert but as I get older I realise I’m an introvert. My definition of that is that I thrive off quality, one on one interaction with people rather than larger, shallower groups. I’m always in search of deeper connection.
Q: Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
A: Totally. Em. (the Irish version of “Um”).
Q: What trait do you most admire in others?
A: The ability to drop grudges, forgive and move on. I’m working on it every day.
Q: Who would play you in the film of your life?
A: If you ask me I’d say Minnie Driver. Ask anyone else and you’ll hear everyone from Leah Michelle to Demi Moore or Meghan Markle!
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: For kindness & my ability to listen without judgement.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your movie Motherless Brooklyn that was just released?
A: Welllll I can’t give too much away as the entire plot of the film is one long who dunnit. Set in NYC, the role I play is that of a “fresh off the boat” young Irish girl. She works the front desk at an office where Edward Norton’s character encounters her on his journey to solve the mystery…
Working opposite Edward Norton was incredible. He’s a fiercely talented and generous actor as well as director, writer, producer and screenwriter (he wears all those hats on this particular film). There was room for some improv within the written scene and the whole experience felt very collaborative. My wardrobe, hair and makeup were also so much fun as the film is set in 1950’s New York.
Q: What do you miss the most about Ireland?
A: I miss sarcasm. Caustic, could cut you with a knife sarcasm. I miss Boots, the Irish/UK version of CVS, there’s just nothing like it in the States. I miss cheese and onion Tayto crisps. Although for $2 a bag at the Irish Import Shop I can satisfy that craving if I need to. I miss Cadbury’s Chocolate. The real stuff actually made at the Cadbury factory in Coolock, Dublin. I miss great Irish radio with its diverse offerings from top 20 hits, to upcoming indie bands and classics. And I really, really, really miss my friends. Friends who are like family, doesn’t matter how long it’s been, we just pick right back up where we left off, you know who you are, friends.
Q: Is there a specific film or actor that inspired you to act?
A: I never remember a time before wanting to be a performer. In fact my earliest memory is at age 3 of asking my Dad to “give” me an audition because I thought it was something that he could physically give me that would make me an actor. At age 5 I remember watching Australian soap operas at lunchtime and then rewatching the repeats at dinnertime to see if I could catch the actors doing something differently. So I suppose I’ve just always had a fascination with the world of acting and performing.
Q: Who’s a director or actor that you would love to work with?
A: I’m going to pick two! One Irish and one American. Sharon Horgan is an Irish actor/writer/producer who’s currently on fire! Her Amazon show ‘Catastrophe’ is side splittingly funny whilst appealing to my Irish sense of humour and her US show “Divorce” is painful in its accuracy and vulnerability. Pamela Adlon’s “Better Things” is one of the best television shows currently on the air in the US in my opinion. Her performance is raw and relatable and the depiction of her relationships with her on screen daughters is exquisite. Both of theses women are mothers who are creative and manage to combine the two flawlessly. I aspire to do the same myself and would love the opportunity to work and learn from them.
Q: Theater or Film?
A: Well that’s like asking a mother to choose between her own children isn’t it?!?
Photographer: Yasmine Kateb
Hair: Allison Noelle Mesa
Make Up: Anton Khachaturian