IN CONVERSATION WITH JULIA BUTTERS
interview by JANA LETONJA
Julia Butters is set to star in the highly anticipated sequel ‘Freakier Friday’, hitting theatres on 8th August. She first captured audiences’ attention with her unforgettable performance in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, where she held her own opposite Leonardo DiCaprio at just 10 years old. Since then, Julia has continued to impress, co-starring in ‘The Gray Man’ alongside Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans, and most recently appearing in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans’.
You’ve shared scenes with legends like Leonardo DiCaprio, Ryan Gosling, Chris Evans, Michelle Williams, and now Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis. What’s one lesson you’ve picked up from working with actors of that caliber?
I definitely learned how important it is to separate your work life from your personal life, and really nurture your non-public relationships. It’s important to take care of yourself outside of your job, to have a backbone of support behind you so you can do your best work.
full look SCHIAPARELLI
In ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’, you delivered that unforgettable line to Leonardo. Looking back, how do you see that moment now, several years later?
Looking back, it’s so funny to me how memorable that line became since it was just a quick suggestion Quentin had made on the day, like “Hey Julia, let’s try something new for this take.” And who knew that would become a quotable phrase that people repeat back to me all the time.
We’ll be seeing you in the highly anticipated ‘Freakier Friday’. How does it feel to be part of such a beloved Disney legacy and play the third generation of Coleman women?
It feels surreal to jump into something so loved by people, and so wanted by the fans. I grew up loving the first one and I was excited to hear about a sequel as a fan, too. It’s so heartwarming to see how encouraging everyone has been, especially since I’m a newer member of the cast. The fact that so many people seem so excited to support me in this makes me so relieved and so excited.
full look VALENTINO
What drew you to ‘Freakier Friday’ and the role of Harper?
Initially when I got the scenes for the audition, they included pages to audition for both teenage roles, Lily and Harper, and they said I could either try for both or pick the one I felt more connected to. I immediately felt more drawn to Harper and found that while reading aloud to myself, she came more naturally to me. I felt like I could resonate with her side of things and that I could bring more to her character than I could bring to Lily, and then of course they found the perfect Lily so I think it worked out perfectly.
You learned to surf for this movie. How did that go? Any wipeouts you want to confess?
I’ll gladly confess that I was immediately knocked down by a crazy wave the second I stepped foot in the ocean to film. The tide was insane that day and to get us warmed up, the stunt team took me and the other cast filming that day into the water to adjust and after just one wave, a bigger one came and I was rolling around for about ten very frightening seconds before I figured out which way was up.
full look ELIE SAAB
jewellery NANCY NEWBERG
What was your favourite behind-the-scenes moment while filming ‘Freakier Friday’?
I really loved getting to watch Lindsay nail that guitar solo at the Wiltern for Pink Slip, and I also really loved cracking up in the first body swap scene when Jamie couldn’t say her lines with a straight face, but I would love to ride on the back of a jet ski to get to the boat to film the surfing scenes again. They hooked up a flat rig to the back of a jet ski that I would stand on while holding a rope for balance while they took me to join the crew out in the middle of the ocean, and it felt so cool.
If you could body-swap with anyone for a day, fictional or real, who would it be and why?
I think swapping with Mark Harmon would be really interesting. He’s such a chill guy and I bet he’s got a peaceful life. I would also love to see how he would do in my life as me and what he’d say.
full look MARC JACOBS
jewellery SAIDIAN VINTAGE JEWELS
You clearly love animals. Are there any causes or organisations you support related to animals or the environment?
SaveLaCougars. Unfortunately, we lost my childhood favourite wild cat, P-22, and his story really inspired me to donate and come up with ideas to help protect mountain lions, which I proposed to people in power who thankfully listened to me and have brought me in to multiple events to speak about the importance of protecting wildlife and keeping the future generation’s world full of healthy and beautiful animals. Beth Pratt is a strong voice whom I’ve spent much time with talking about mountain lions, and she has put so much dedication and care into helping cougars. I will say, Jamie Lee Curtis is another woman I admire for having such a strong voice, which she uses to spread awareness of things she cares deeply about.
You wore a Schiaparelli outfit for this photo shoot that you had on your vision board. How did it feel to bring that dream to life?
I pretty much idolise Schiaparelli. I have a shrine in my head of all my favourite looks and I’ve put a lot of them into my mood board which I use for fashion inspiration with my stylist, Enrique Melendez. That look was saved in my camera roll ever since it debuted as a part of their Ready to Wear Spring/Summer collection. I made my mom sit with me for hours one night, and we just sat there binging fashion shows and watching each look from this specific Schiaparelli collection walk down the runway. My mom and I saw that exact look hit the runway so I quickly saved that and thought “I want this on me one day.” I fully did not expect it to be possible and didn’t try to get my hopes up since I didn’t want to assume they’d be open to lending me anything, but as soon as I heard that Enrique had gotten a piece from them, I did a lap around the room and then almost hit the floor when I found out which look it was. At least I didn’t overreact.
full look MAX MARA
tights WOLFORD
necklace NANCY NEWBERG
brooch ROMMANEL
How would you describe your personal style as it’s evolving? Who or what inspires your fashion right now?
I love fashion, it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about. I’m slowly getting more comfortable in my style and not trying to shy away from making bold confident choices and feeling amazing in them. I think a part of having this job is being able to become the most heightened version of yourself, because if you get the chance to wear whatever you want, why would you hold back? Ms. Lohan inspires me a lot, so much that especially with this press tour my stylist Enrique and I have been very intentional, including references to her in so many looks we’ve done. I would also like to say that drag artistry has impacted my fashion and the way I express myself through style. Being able to lock into your most fabulous, confident, empowered part of yourself, embracing and expressing it is a very liberating and challenging thing that I have seen in drag that can empower literally anyone. The world deserves to see the you that you can feel most powerful as.
For fans who’ve followed you since your ‘Once Upon a Time’ days, what do you hope they see in you now as you step into this next chapter?
I really hope that people can see me grow even more comfortable in my own skin and live life to the fullest. Career wise, I hope that I can keep telling stories that connect with girls my age, families, and anyone who really needs to feel seen or just have a good laugh. I can’t say what genre I’d like to do next because the right projects always catch me by surprise. I did not expect 'Freakier Friday' to have been my next project, it definitely surprised me and felt so right. On my bucket list is horror at some point though.
look SIMKHAI
jewellery MARIE MAS
TEAM CREDITS:
talent JULIA BUTTERS
photography PERAZNA
styling ENRIQUE MELENDEZ at Forward Artists
makeup AKINA SHIMIZU at A-Frame Agency
hair EDUARDO MÉNDEZ at A-Frame Agency
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director and interiew JANA LETONJA