interview by JANA LETONJA

Rising star Madeleine McGraw, fresh off being named “Rising Star of 2025” at CinemaCon, is best known for her breakout role as Gwen in Blumhouse’s ‘The Black Phone’. Madeleine will reprise her character in the highly anticipated ‘The Black Phone 2’ this October. With a résumé that includes ‘American Sniper’, ‘Toy Story 4’, ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp’, and ‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’, Madeleine has already worked alongside Hollywood heavyweights while carving out her own distinct voice. Now stepping into producing and advocating for mental health support for young performers, she’s proving she’s not only one to watch, she’s one to listen to.

bodysuit VERSACE
tights WOLFORD
shoes FERRAGAMO
jewellery SWAROVSKI

Gwen became such a beloved and fierce character in ‘The Black Phone’. What can you tease about where we find her in the sequel?

When we see Gwen again, she's in a different headspace. What happened has stayed with her, and now she's focused on helping her brother with his PTSD while juggling school and regular teen life. She's more reserved, not just because of their trauma, but because her dreams are no longer a secret, and that changes how others treat her. She's learning to balance all of it without losing what makes her Gwen.

Horror sequels can be tricky. What was different about stepping back into Gwen’s shoes this time around?

Coming back to Gwen was such a unique challenge because in the first film, everything was new for her and for me. This time, I wasn’t just playing a scared, sad, feisty little sister in the middle of a nightmare. I had to honor what she went through while also showing how that trauma changed her. She’s stronger now, but also more complicated. It wasn’t about recreating what worked before, it was about finding the ways she’s grown, the ways she’s guarded, and letting those layers come through naturally. That’s what made stepping back into her shoes feel fresh to me, even in a sequel.

suit MAJE
shoes AMINA MUADDI
jewellery SWAROVSKI

The first movie was intense. How do you prepare mentally for that kind of emotional role at your age?

Before filming, I really spent time imagining Gwen’s world, like what it would actually feel like to be her in those moments. I build little backstories in my head so I understand why she reacts the way she does. But for a scene like the one where my dad, played by Jeremy Davies, beats me with the belt, you can’t fully prepare. You just have to be completely present and live in that moment. I talked a lot with Scott Derrickson and his experiences with the belt, and I truly internalized what he said and then made it my own. I remember someone on X saying my performance felt way too real to just be acting and that it had to come from a personal memory. Crazy comment btw, because obviously it wasn’t a memory, but to me, that’s the best compliment. It means I made Gwen and that situation feel very, very real.

dress SONGS OF SIREN
jewellery SARA WONG

You’ve been acting since you were four. How do you think your approach to roles has evolved as you’ve grown up?

When I first started acting at four, it was all about having fun and pretending. I didn’t think much about technique or process. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized how much depth you can bring to a role by really understanding the character’s world and emotions. Now I spend more time building backstories, thinking about relationships, and finding little details that make the character feel real to me. When I was younger, one thing I was actually better at was doing an emotional scene and then leaving it behind. But on ‘The Black Phone 2’, there were some intense moments. One scene in particular stayed with me for days. I’d be lying if I said I’ve completely shaken it. Still, overall, I try to keep that same curiosity and joy I had when I first started. Ask Scott Derrickson, we’d cut on a heavy scene and the next minute he’d see me skipping off to the next setup, completely happy again and just excited to be on set.

You’ve moved from child roles to more nuanced, coming-of-age stories. How do you choose projects that reflect where you are in life?

Recently, I’ve started getting sent scripts to read for interest, which is honestly still so crazy to me. I never thought I’d be in that position. I’m always super grateful when someone thinks of me for a role. Lately, I’ve been really drawn to characters I haven’t played before, ones that challenge me or feel like they connect to the stage of life I’m in right now. I’m really enjoying coming-of-age stories because they let me explore all the different perspectives teens go through, like first love, friendships, and family struggles. All the things that feel so real at this age. There are a few scripts I’m attached to that I’m so excited about because each character feels unique and personal to me in a different way.

You’ve worked across genres—horror, drama, animation, blockbusters. Is there one that feels most like “home” for you?

I’ve gotten to work in a bunch of different genres, and they’ve all taught me something new. Horror is definitely intense. It really pushes me emotionally, but I think of it less as ‘horror’ and more like drama with really crazy circumstances. Like when I played Gwen in ‘The Black Phone’, it was obviously scary, but what stuck with me was how emotional it was. That’s why drama feels most like home to me, because it lets me explore real emotions and experiences, stuff I can relate to or that I want to understand better. Animation is just pure fun because I get to use my imagination, and blockbusters are awesome because of all the energy and teamwork on set. But if I had to pick one, drama is where I feel like I grow the most as a person and as an actor.

You’re producing your second film. What’s it like being behind the camera at such a young age?

Short answer, it’s hard. The longer answer is that producing is really time-consuming, but I’m honestly obsessed with the process. I love getting to be involved in every part of filmmaking. Even though it’s challenging, it’s also so fulfilling. I sat in on a couple of editing sessions recently for the last movie I produced, and after hour three of working on just a few minutes of the film, all I wanted to do was give the editors a raise. It gave me such a new appreciation for how much patience, communication, and collaboration it takes to balance everyone’s notes, from producers to the studio, while still protecting the director’s vision. It’s a monumental task, but I feel so grateful I get to learn all of this at such a young age. It makes me love filmmaking even more.

top RIGASH
tights WOLFORD
shoes FERRAGAMO
coat VASSIA KOSTARA

Your love for vintage fashion and sustainable style has become part of your public persona. What draws you to those choices?

I’ve always loved vintage fashion because each piece feels like it has a story. My mom still has clothes from the 80s in her closet that are in perfect condition. For a Disney premiere with an 80s theme, I actually wore her original homecoming dress from high school, which was so special. I’ll be honest, I don’t only wear vintage or sustainable pieces, but I try to be mindful, especially on red carpets, and my stylist and I are always hunting for unique sustainable finds. For me, choosing vintage or re-wearing pieces is my way of being more thoughtful about the environment while still expressing my personal style. It feels good to know I’m making an effort, even if I’m not perfect at it. Fashion, to me, isn’t just about trends. It’s about honoring the past and trying to be responsible about the future.

You’ve spoken about advocating for mental health support for young performers. Why is that mission personal yo you?

It’s not just about young performers, it’s about teens in general. I think our generation is under so much pressure because of social media. Everything moves so fast, and it’s easy to feel like you’re not enough or that you’re constantly comparing yourself to people online. I try to be good about setting limits, like posting without scrolling or not reading comments, but sometimes I fall into it, too. And when I do, I notice how much it messes with my head. It can make you feel anxious, insecure, or even really sad for no reason. That’s why mental health support is so personal to me. I want teens to know it’s normal to feel that way, and it doesn’t mean you’re weak. One thing that helps me is journaling. Just getting my feelings out on paper makes me feel lighter and more grounded. If I can help even one person feel less alone, less anxious, and more open to giving and receiving love, then I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile.

When you’re not working, what’s your favorite way to just be a regular teenager?

When I’m not working, I’m usually on the soccer field. Soccer is my other big love besides acting. But I also love doing all the normal teen things, like shopping, hanging out at record stores, eating way too much sushi, reading, or going to the beach with friends. I’m obsessed with vintage shops, so wherever I travel, I always look up the best thrift or vintage spots in that city. Same with record stores. I’m constantly on the hunt for original Fleetwood Mac vinyls. That’s like my holy grail. Recently, I’ve also gotten into photography. My mom takes amazing photos, and now I’m learning how to use my camera, just trying to get better every day. Those are the little things that keep me feeling like a regular teenager.

left:
top FLEUR DU MAL
skirt SARA WONG
shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK
earrings NORITAMY
necklace SARA WONG

right:
top ANNAKIKI
jeans AWAKE.MODE
shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK
jewellery LIYA

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MADELEINE MCGRAW
photography DYLAN PERLOT at Exclusive Artists
styling VERONICA GRAYE at TMG LA
makeup ROBERT BRYAN at The Wall Group
hair RICKY FRASER at The Wall Group
location FD PHOTO STUDIO LA
editorTIMI LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA

IN CONVERSATION WITH MADELEINE MCGRAW

IN CONVERSATION WITH DIFFRENT