ETERNAL'S LIA MCHUGH BEYOND THE ILLUSIONS (IN PRINT)

PHOTOGRAPHY & INTERVIEW BY IRVIN RIVERA

FASHION STYLING: ENRIQUE MELENDEZ @ CROSBY CARTER MANAGEMENT, Make-up Artist: CHRISTOPHER MILES, Hairstylist: TED GIBSON @TMG LA, GRAPHICS DESIGNER: PHIL LIMPRASERTWONG

Gown: BENCHELLAL

I first met and photographed Lia back in 2019 at Sundance while she was doing press for The Lodge, a horror, mystery drama about a family in a remote holiday village caught in a snowstorm. I remember her being smaller back then, wearing a short bob with bangs, and dressed-up cute with a small backpack. I also remembered speaking and thinking to myself, “this kid is more mature than she looks.” She’s probably an old soul. And if you’re keen, you’ll instantly feel it when you meet her. Lia’s spirit is very open and collaborative and our second meeting for this shoot only solidified that further. It’s always a joy and it’s great to work with a fellow artist who is willing to take risks and play with the creative brief. One of the best feelings in the world is when you create with people riding and enjoying the same creative flow - it’s a golden opportunity to make something memorable and fun. In this issue, you could see how the whole team was able to ride this flow, and created these characters for Lia to play.

It was such an amazing opportunity to photograph her in these fashion looks because aside from seeing the great actor on the rise, we also see a fashion darling on the horizon. Lia can pose. Lia can model clothes, and Lia did it all effortlessly.

Lia portrays her roles effortlessly. There is an undeniable ease to her that connects you with her characters whether she plays someone from a horror, thriller film or an ancient superhero trapped in a young kid’s body in a major Marvel film.

In a sea of outstanding people and performances on a large scale international film, Lia McHugh was able to deliver a standout performance that’s balanced, smart and relatable. Her constant quips and banners with her fellow Eternals definitely added flavor to the entirety of the movie.

Effectively delivering the subtle nuances of playing a 7,000 year old character trapped in the body of a child for what seems like an eternity while experiencing unrequited affection from her crush is not easy to pull off, but Lia was able to do it.

In this issue, we spoke to Lia about her journey as an actor, having a great support system that grounds her, her experiences on filming Eternals, and more. 

How were you able to internalize Sprite’s character, which as you said, 7000 year old woman in the body of a child? Where did you get those inspirations from? How did you approach this character?

I'm not sure. I felt like I had a lot in common with her. And I feel like I've been told a lot of my life that I am an old soul, and I feel like I was able to really bring that into the character. I feel like I've been through a lot in my life. I mean, my mom has been through a lot, my family and I feel like I've been able to understand a bit more matured emotion than a lot of kids my age. And I feel that because Sprite has been through so much, I was able to connect with her on that level.

And I bet it's hard to balance that out. You know, balancing the youthfulness and then the maturity at the same time.

Yes, yes. She uses being a child a little bit to her advantage sometimes. That comes down in her snarkiness and her jokes. And she also is yes, extremely old, an old lady and she's actually very smart.

Dress: NO LABEL, Shoes: JEFFREY CAMPBELL

What is the best part about playing her character?

Oh my gosh. I feel very blessed and special because a character like this has never been played before. And to be really the first kid superhero in the MCU is really exciting. I mean, I've grown up watching all these movies and it's cool that I'll be the kid representative for all the kids out there who are Marvel fans.

And how would you characterize her evolution throughout the whole film?

I feel like the audience learned a lot about Sprite from the beginning to the end of the movie. She sort of slowly reveals little bits and pieces of her and I think what's really special about this character is that she's so interesting and there's so much depth to her and she's been through so much in her life. She struggles with a lot internally that she sort of masks her emotion with sarcasm, and I guess she's a little upset and tired of the world. You know, she's a cranky old lady in a way.

Polka dot suit: MOSCHINO, Shoes: THOM BROWNE

Top: HERVE LEGER, Skirt: ELLERY, Shoes: JEFFREY CAMPBELL, Tights: WOLFORD

LEFT: Top: HERVE LEGER, Skirt: ELLERY, Shoes: JEFFREY CAMPBELL, Tights: WOLFORD RIGHT: Top: BENCHELLAL, Skirt: VINTAGE, Shoes: STEVE MADDEN

What scares you?

Not being happy with my work, scares me. Watching movies that I have shot really scares me. There was a movie that I did that went to theaters and the first time I went to see it, I was literally shaking in my seat in the theater. I was so nervous, because I take a lot of pride in my performances, and I want to give my very best. And so when I feel like I haven't, I feel really disappointed in myself. And so that scares me.

Top: BENCHELLAL, Skirt: VINTAGE, Shoes: STEVE MADDEN

Is there any message that you can give to young kids, young people looking at you, looking at your platform right now, who also wants to be an actor or who's dreaming to do big things, who is dreaming to be in a Marvel film. What's your message to these young kids who aspire to do something that you're doing?

Yes, I think it's really important to find what you love and to strive for that, you know, it's not about the fame. It's just about doing what you love and what makes you happy and what brings you joy or other people joy. And it's really important for me, keeping myself grounded and staying humble. And keeping myself family oriented and keeping the people that I love around me. You know, keeping my feet on the floor. Just stay level headed.