IN CONVERSATION WITH ELLA ANDERSON

interview by JANA LETONJA

Ella Anderson is stepping into a breakthrough moment, one poised to redefine her career and solidify her place in Hollywood. This Christmas Day, she stars opposite Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson in Craig Brewer’s ‘Song Sung Blue’, a major Focus Features release already generating awards-season buzz and closing the 2025 AFI Fest. Following that, she will lead ‘Jesus Land’, the adaptation of Julia Scheeres’ bestselling memoir about survival, family, and resilience in 1980s Indiana. With depth, precision, and rare emotional clarity, Ella is emerging as one of the most exciting actors of her generation.

jacket FORTE FORTE
top ANNA QUAN
skirt PATRIZIA PEPE
socks STYLIST’S OWN
shoes PAUL ANDREW
earrings CAROLINA HERRERA
rings TALENT’S OWN

‘Song Sung Blue’ is already gaining major attention. What was your first reaction when you learned you’d be starring opposite Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson?

I continue to be truly surprised each time I am given an opportunity like this, and I never discount the fact that it is an absolute gift. I recognize the rarity of finding a project with material so honest, painted by a crew of artists with such sharply honed skill, and just being involved is a dream.

To say that acting alongside the talented, committed actors that Hugh and Kate are transformed each step of the process wouldn't fully capture how much it unlocked the possibilities on set. Witnessing my on-screen parents pour so much of themselves daily inspired me to lend as much of myself as I could to Rachel. I think it's such a beautiful thing, to selflessly devote all of your vessel to the telling of a story. I love every bit of it.

The film follows two struggling musicians who find hope through a Neil Diamond tribute band. What drew you to the emotional core of this story?

I come from a long, full lineage of creatives, many of them musicians, and I have watched them not receive much from their playing beyond their pure artistic fulfillment. Yet, the power of connecting with an audience through music is invaluable. The heart of both music and Mike and Claire’s love was what I believe carried this family through unimaginable tragedy. I think Craig perfectly captured this particular spirit, and through giving Mike and Claire’s family their well-deserved flowers, he's giving many others theirs as well. 

full look ANNA QUAN
gloves ANNA OCTOBER
shoes MIISTA
earrings CAROLINA HERRERA

How did Craig Brewer describe the role of the daughter and her importance within the family dynamic?

The first time I read Craig’s screenplay I was intrigued by Rachel’s dynamic in the family and captivated by the arc he crafted for her. I knew it was vital to capture her quiet resilience and stoic, responsible nature. But I also sensed both an internal tension and tenderness, and I was drawn to explore the physical embodiment of how her burdens weighed on her.

I’m endlessly grateful for the way Craig trusted me with this role. He gave me a beautiful autonomy over who I instinctually felt Rachel was, and the freedom while filming to infuse those reflections of her inner life in my rendering of her. 

The film was chosen to close AFI Fest 2025. How does it feel to be part of a project with such festival recognition?

It was honestly surreal. AFI Fest has such a strong reputation for celebrating meaningful films, so I recognize what an honor it is that they selected the project to close this year's festival.

How do you develop characters with heavy emotional burdens without letting it overwhelm you?

When I was younger, carrying heavy emotional material could be really overwhelming. On ‘The Glass Castle’, playing the younger version of Jeanette, I spent a lot of time living in very dark emotional places, and learning how to step out of that was something I had to figure out in real time. I was incredibly lucky to be working alongside Brie Larson, who saw this and took me under her wing. She became a sounding board for me, sharing specific tools of her own to release the emotional tsunami that was following me back home from set every day. To this day, I use so many of the techniques she generously shared with me, and I’ve found a good balance in expending myself strategically. As crazy as it is, the intense stuff is my favorite to film now.

look SALISH BALTA
bra INTIMISSIMI

Soon, you’ll also appear in ‘Jesus Land,’ which explores trauma, family, and survival. How did you prepare to enter the world of 1980s Indiana and the complex family experiences depicted?

Preparing for ‘Jesus Land’ was deeply immersive and very intentional. I spent a great deal of time researching Escuela Caribe and speaking with survivors of sexual assault and emotional abuse within family systems. It was important to me not just to understand the events of the story, but the long-term emotional and psychological impact they leave behind.

The film also explores themes of racism and religious abuse, which are subjects I feel very strongly about handling with care. I felt a real responsibility to approach Julia’s story with sensitivity, respect, and nuance, never sensationalizing the trauma, but honoring the truth of it. My goal was always to bring the character to life in a way that felt human, compassionate, and truthful to the people whose experiences this story reflects.

What feels different about taking on lead roles now compared to earlier in your career?

I’m less focused on the size of the role and more focused on the filmmaking itself. What excites me is connecting to the material, the director’s vision, and the emotional truth of my character. Whether a role is a lead or supporting, I’m drawn to projects where I feel creatively aligned with the filmmaker and where the storytelling feels honest and purposeful. When I feel a burning necessity to communicate something, that's ultimately what makes the work fulfilling for me.

jacket MUGLER
shoes JUDE
brooch CARINA HARDY
anklet TALENT’S OWN

Is there a type of role you’re longing to explore, something totally unexpected or outside what audiences associate with you?

I never want to repeat myself, and I am always looking for work that challenges me in new ways. As someone who feels I must consume cinema and all other forms of art as much as I need water and air, and as a visual artist myself, I can't help but feel deeply inspired by films where the tone, rhythm, and an unapologetic aesthetic are just as important as dialogue. I feel this pull towards being a part of making movies with those elements at the forefront. Ones that allow themselves to be specific, that take risks, and where the narrative and visual language are deeply intertwined. I get excited at the idea of getting the chance to play people at opposite ends of the spectrum. From incredibly restrained and internalized to someone bold, eccentric, or maybe even unsettling.

What excites you most about this next chapter in your life and career?

I don’t think I’ve ever felt as creatively inspired as I do right now. Even though I’ve been working professionally in film and TV for most of my life, at 20 it truly feels like just the beginning. I have a more profound sense of who I am as a human and as an artist, and I am grateful for the freedom that comes with that clarity. The next chapter feels less about proving anything and more about exploration, seeking out stories, collaborators, and creative spaces that challenge me and expand my perspective. I feel open, curious, and deeply grateful to be at a point where experience and possibility are meeting at the same time. 

jacket MUGLER
shoes JUDE
brooch CARINA HARDY
anklet TALENT’S OWN

jacket and skirt SPORTSMAX
shoes JUDE
tights CALZEDONIA
glasses RAY-BAN

TEAM CREDITS:

talent ELLA ANDERSON
photography DYLAN PERLOT
styling KELLY JOHNSON at Forward Artists
makeup ALLAN AVENDAÑO at A-Frame Agency
hair ARBANA DOLLANI at A-Frame Agency
styling assistant MARISSA PEREZ
location FD PHOTO STUDIO LA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA