IN CONVERSATION WITH GABBY POLICANO

interview by JANA LETONJA

Rising star Gabby Policano is stepping into the spotlight with her breakout role in Elle, the highly anticipated television reimagining of Legally Blonde, premiering on Amazon on the 1st of July, exactly 20 years after the original film became a cultural phenomenon. With a strong foundation in theatre and a recent appearance alongside Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, Gabby brings fresh energy, charisma, and depth to this new chapter of an iconic story, quickly establishing herself as a standout talent to watch.

What drew you to the role in Elle, and what excited you most about joining the Legally Blonde universe?

I’ve been a fan of Legally Blonde for as long as I can remember, and to be entering the canon still feels surreal. As a kid, I probably watched it upwards of fifty times with my aunt. I remember seeing the Broadway musical with the original cast when I was eight, and that production was part of what made me fall in love with performing. I first heard about the prequel series through the adorable video of Lexi Minetree finding out she’d gotten the role from our favourite pink lady herself, Reese Witherspoon. As a fellow young actor in this crazy industry, I knew how amazing that moment must have been for her. I never expected to audition for the show; I didn’t think there would be a role in the Legally Blonde universe for me and the edgy-esque characters I tend to play. Even when I got the tape a month later and learned they’d be setting the show in grungy Seattle, I still assumed nothing would come from it. As an actor, you get so used to rejection being the norm. Getting to play a queer musician in such a beloved IP is a gift I don’t take lightly. 

How did you prepare to step into a world that’s already so beloved by fans?

It’s an honour to play a role in a fanbase I’m already part of myself. As both a theatre kid and a fan of the movie, I get to celebrate with fans of both the film and the musical. I can only hope they think Liz is a positive addition to the Legally Blonde universe. It’s such a celebratory fanbase filled with joy that I really do feel they’ll welcome her with open arms. 

What can audiences expect from this new take on Elle compared to the original Legally Blonde?

Elle is such a beloved, iconic character, known for being so sure of herself that people may assume she’s always been that way. But something special about this series is that we get to see the lessons she had to learn to get there. These characters are sixteen, at that place in high school where experiences start to shape who we are, and Elle is right in the middle of that journey. She makes plenty of mistakes, like we all did in high school. Seeing her navigate those moments, and meeting the people who help her find that confidence,  is part of what makes this series so fresh. But don’t worry, there are tons of moments that pay homage to the original film in really fun ways. 

How would you describe your character, and what makes her unique?

Liz is so much cooler than I am, and that’s what makes her so fun to play. She’s a bit of a loner. Not in a sad way, she’s just totally content hanging out with her Walkman and a book. She’s a musician and artist, and music is her primary mode of expressing herself. I like to say that she doesn’t speak unless she really has something to say, which, as someone who’s a nervous talker, is something I try to take inspiration from. She’s very confident in who she is, which I think she had to figure out early as an openly gay high schooler in 1995. I did a deep dive into the grunge scene of 90s Seattle, and it was really rooted in defying societal norms and embracing being an outsider. That environment gave her the freedom to be honest with herself and others, and she’s lucky to have a family that supports her, too. All of that makes her unabashedly, unapologetically herself, and that’s exactly what draws her to Elle. She may not understand the pink creature in front of her, but she instantly recognises someone deeply true to who they are, and respects it. And she’s amused by it, which is one of my favourite parts. She has this wry appreciation for all of Elle’s “Elle-isms,” and they form a really lovely, unexpected bond.

Did you feel any pressure taking on a project tied to such an iconic film?

Yes, but not in the way you might expect. I’m not thinking about critics holding it to the standard of the movie, I’m thinking about the people who’ve learned and grown from Elle’s journey. Those are the people I don’t want to disappoint. People have literally told Reese they went to law school because of Elle Woods, and that’s such a special and unexpected gift the film gave to the world. They deserve to love the messy journey we see our girl go on, and I want to give them that.  

What do you think makes Elle relevant to today’s audience?

I think everyone can relate to the experience of trying to figure out who you are and staying true to yourself in a place where not everyone accepts you. It’s no secret that there are massive divisions amongst people these days, and with social media there’s a greater comfort in pushing negativity publicly. People are much quicker to speak with their thumbs behind a screen than they’ve ever been. It can be really hard to not let those words impact you. This show is about embracing yourself, even when it feels like the world is stacked against you, and that’s relevant to everyone right now. There’s also just something really exciting about having a queer character onscreen whose arc isn’t defined by defeat. Those stories matter and reflect real queer experiences, but young people also need to see that you can be openly gay and really happy. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t my dream for some sixteen-year-old who’s scared to share who they really are to watch the show, press pause, and tell someone about themselves. I wish I’d had that as a teenager.

How does your theatre background influence your work on screen?

I genuinely feel so lucky that my training is in theatre. I think there’s a misconception that acting for the stage and acting for the screen are completely different, when they actually share the same core: discovering who a character is, letting them grow inside you, and putting them in the circumstances of their environment. I didn’t have to learn a “different type of acting” for this project, I mainly just had to learn about the film world as a whole so that I could fit into it. There were a lot of terms I pretended to know for a while, until I started asking what people meant when they said we were doing a “dirty over the shoulder” shot. Those things were what made screen versus stage different. But the job itself is the same, and I’m really grateful for the training I’ve received.

Who are some actors or creators who inspire you?

There are too many to name. I’m a huge fan of the old-school greats. Alan Rickman is my favourite actor of all time, may he rest in peace. Currently, I’m obsessed with Gaten Matarazzo’s and Joe Keery’s performances in Stranger Things. I felt like I got a masterclass just watching them. There were so many lines in Elle that I didn’t know how to approach in terms of delivery, and I’d literally ask myself, “How would they approach this?” Gaten especially, starting so young with that level of raw talent, motivated me to try to unlock something similar in myself. June Diane Raphael, our iconic Eva Woods, is also one of the funniest actors I’ve ever met. She empowers me to go as far as I want with a role, because she’s amazing at embodying humour in a very truthful way. I will watch her scenes with my face basically pressed to the screen, trying to absorb even a fraction of her comedic timing.

What kind of roles are you hoping to explore next?

I’d love to get back on stage, I miss theatre in a big way. A Shakespeare production would be a dream. A lot of my training is in Shakespeare, and getting on stage at The Globe is a lifelong dream. Liz is so fun because of how effortlessly grounded she is, but I’m eager to explore the polar opposite: get on my knees and wail in a Shakespearean tragedy. I’m also really interested in exploring film. This is one of my first onscreen roles, and I’d love to dig into a feature. Maybe a period piece.

How do you stay grounded as your career begins to take off?

It still doesn’t feel real, so I’d say I’m as grounded as ever. I’ve been waiting tables and nannying for a while now, and I don’t take a single second of this for granted. I’m absolutely still the guy who’d come home from closing the restaurant and film an audition tape at midnight. I love that guy. I’ll never not be that guy.

What’s next for you after this series?

I’m so excited for the world to see season 2. It’s still insane to all of us that we were lucky enough to film it before season 1 has even come out. We’re all aware of how incredibly fortunate we were to have that opportunity. There’s so much more to the world of our show that the audience has no idea is coming. I’m also thrilled that I got to sing in this season and that Liz is a musician, because my first love is music and I’d love to get an EP out soon. I’ve been working on my own music privately for a long time, and I’m hoping the show gives me the opportunity to share that. But first, I think I’ll sleep for a month. That would be super awesome. I couldn’t be more excited for everything ahead.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography JULIA SARIY