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DAPHNE BLUNT

In the ever-evolving tapestry of Hollywood, DAPHNE BLUNT emerges as a multifaceted gem, dazzling with an array of talents that span acting, fashion blogging, and a commitment to environmental activism. Blunt first graced television screens with a brief stint on the iconic daytime soap opera "The Young and the Restless," setting the stage for a career marked by versatility and passion. Her journey from the small screen to the digital domain reveals a dynamic personality; Blunt is not only known for her roles on shows like "The Thundermans" and "I Didn’t Do It" but also for her influence off-screen as the face of Fanlala.com, where she interviewed celebrities and shared her fashion insights.

PHOTOGRAPHER: IRVIN RIVERA

Daphne Blunt, with her blend of artistic talent and social consciousness, continues to captivate and inspire, proving that her story is one that transcends the boundaries of traditional celebrity.

With the candid charm of someone who's grown up in the limelight yet remains refreshingly grounded, Blunt shares her evolution from a passionate young actress in local theater to a multifaceted star. Her reflections on the euphoria of landing her initial role, to the profound learning experiences on set in the Boston winter, showcase a profound dedication to her craft. Blunt's musings extend beyond the screen, delving into the influences that shaped her artistic vision—from the iconic "Clueless" to the rich narratives crafted by Sofia Coppola, highlighting a deep affinity for stories that celebrate girlhood in all its complexity.

You had years of experience working in the industry, can you elaborate on how you got your start and the feeling of booking your first role?

I started acting at a really young age. I did local/school theater and modeling. I was just born, knowing that I wanted to entertain and that I wanted to work in film Television. So my modeling sort of transitioned into commercials which transitioned into auditioning for theatrical work. The first big role that I booked was on The Young and the Restless. I believe I was 11 years old and it was incredible. It was so exciting to pull up to a big soundstage on the CBS lot and have a dressing room, be around very seasoned actors who knew what they were doing and made everything so easy and simple for me. Its the feelings of butterflies, a little bit of nerves and pure excitement because youre finally getting the opportunity to do the thing that you wanted so badly.

 

Can you describe the experience working on Another Day in America?

Working on this film was really a fantastic experience for me. I felt like it was sort of my first big girl” role and the first time I had filmed something outside of Los Angeles for an extended period of time. The Director Emilio Mauro is fantastic and so easy to work with. He made me feel extremely involved in the process of building my character, Erin, and of the films process in general. It was a major learning experience for me as my first leading role in a feature film. We were sort of sequestered somewhere outside of Boston in the dead of winter. Being with your cast like that enables you to bond really well. I thought that was nice because it made it more like real life especially since we are touching on so many controversial topics. I think that transitions onto the screen. We did a lot of prep work in advance to form those friendships and those romantic relationships. Like I went on a pseudo coffee date with Oliver Trevena (who plays Scott) at the San Vicente Bungalows, I hung out with Raquel Castro (Nadia) and had zoom playdates with the girlies where we gossiped and got to know each other.

 

If you can describe the film in three words what would they be?

I would say that its satirical, shocking and also hilarious

 

Do you remember the first film you saw that made you want to pursue acting?

My instinct is to say that it was most likely Clueless. I have older sisters, so I had a lot of exposure to Teen and Y/A references when I was very small (probably too young to see a lot of what I did lol). I have an obsession with 90s/y2k films or anything that shows girlhood in a very cinematic way like the virgin suicides, lost in translation, Uptown Girls, Marie Antoinette. Im a Sophia Coppola super fan. I love the work of Petra Collins though shes not a filmmaker shes super inspiring, or Emerald Fennel. I was seeing all these projects where girlhood and femininity were being portrayed in these elaborate ways and that just really spoke to me and I  thought….. I want to do that. I want to dress up and take on these embodiments of these characters and live through them and tell stories, and I l absolutely loved everything about it. I think the specific aspect of the portrayal of girlhood has stuck with me very deeply and shows within everything that I do.

 

Fandom rapid fire: Lana Del Rey or Emma Stone?

This is such a hard question because if I could have a career similar any actress, or an actress I idolize it would definitely be Emma, Stone. So many of her films are classics for me that I will rewatch over and over again like Easy A, Crazy Stupid Love, and La La Land. However, Lana is my holy grail. I live and breathe for Lana. She is in my veins.

 

How did you begin your modeling career and brand partnerships? Did using Instagram as a marketing tool come naturally or did you learn tools & tricks ahead of time?

Before Instagram influencers were a huge thing I actually had a fashion blog. I saw it as an outlet that was separate to my acting career. Since my childhood acting was just everything to me, and it was my whole life, so I wanted to have some sort of outlet where I had complete creative control. I always loved fashion and knew that I wanted to incorporate it in whatever I did with my life. So I had my little blog and thats when I started taking pictures and posting about things that I liked and it actually did pretty well at the time, but I sort of stopped while I was in college. It was just a little bit too hard for me to balance both but then in the pandemic, I had the time and the opportunity to start building something more sustainable. I knew that I wanted to get back into the industry, and I had seen how much the influencer space was growing so I started transitioning everything that used to go onto my blog onto Instagram. I also studied marketing in college so maybe I learned a few tips and tricks there but really I just think that if youre passionate about something and you are willing to put yourself out there, which can be super difficult, good things come from doing things that scare you.

 

Fandom rapid fire model edition: Tyra Banks or Naomi Campbell?

Naomi 100% she is the queen of all queens. Though the clip of Tyras vaseline giveaway lives rent free in my mind.

If you could live in any Era what would it be?

I would love to live in the 60s…. you know if there was no segregation or racism obviously. The aesthetic and the vibes are gorgeous to me. I love Twiggy, I love Jane Birkin, free love, mod fashion, the Beatles, bra burning, big Priscilla Presley hair. I think it wouldve been a really cool time to be alive watching culture shift so much.

 

What sort of acting roles do you see yourself pursuing in near future? Is there something you look for in a character/script that appeals to you off the bat?

One thing that I know I really wanna do is more comedy. Ive always been drawn to it, and I would love to work on writing some comedic stuff. Most of all, I just love telling the stories of women - it always comes back to that theme of girlhood. It speaks to me so much when Im looking at characters and scripts. I definitely look for things that I can relate to, with experiences that Ive had and a genuine understanding of the female experience. One thing that I really enjoyed about working on Another Day in in America was that I knew that people might take Erin a certain way. From day one working with the director he made it so clear to me that he didnt write her as a character to be judged or to be a villain in anyway but that, you know, shes human like us all and that she is the hero of her own story.

 

If you're a book, what book would you be and why?

If I was a book, I would be The Virgin Suicides, because I am obsessed with girlhood, suffering and perception. This is not a dark answer but instead I think that this is a story that tells all of those aspects. I think the story of the Lisbon sisters is much more relatable than people would think off the bat. Its a story about being perceived, which is so much of a womans plight, and its a story about internal suffering, which is also a large part of a womans strife. I think its a beautiful summation of female pain.

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