interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress, entrepreneur, humanitarian, activist for animal rights and a health advocate for all, Maggie Q, is best known for her role as Nikita on CW’s successful action series of the same name. Next up, she is returning to TV as Detective Renée Ballard in the upcoming Prime Video’s series ‘Ballard’, a spin-off of the hit ‘Bosch’, premiering globally on 9th July. Outside of acting, Maggie is also the co-founder of ActivatedYou alongside integrative medicine doctor Frank Lipman.

You’ve had such a dynamic career across film and television. What initially drew you to acting, and how has your perspective on the craft evolved over time?

I think it might have happened in the 6th grade when a visiting teacher introduced me to Shakespeare. I was 11, and for some reason, I could absorb every word. I honestly don’t know how, but it was poetry for me. Even now, if I go too long without reading poetry, I feel off. Some things are just food to some people. I did theater for certain stints in my career, when I would walk away from film and want to be immersed in the written word. It always felt like a sense of renewal. I have been visible in film for about 20 years and I will say there have been massive changes from then till now. I suppose because of that my perspective has changed in the sense that I don’t have the fire to acquire what I used to. There are places for everyone now, so carving out room for that is not what it was.

Your role as Nikita was both physically demanding and emotionally complex. What was the biggest challenge in portraying such a layered character over several seasons?

Pace. When I got ‘Nikita’, I had never done television before. Everything was new to me, including the longevity it takes to lead a show for 10 months out of the year on location with maximum output and no support. I really burnt out in a bad way, I was very naive. I went in with movie energy, but you don’t shoot a movie for that long. I focused so much on bringing her to life, it was incredibly challenging to do that with the workload and still find all the emotional complexities I was trying to create. With it all being a blur, I am still so pleased that people loved it the way they did.

Next up, we’ll be seeing you in Prime Video’s ‘Ballard’. What can you share with us about this upcoming series?

The show is based on a career homicide detective in the LAPD who was actually the first woman to achieve the position. As a 30 year veteran, you can imagine how much she brings to what we have created. Michael Connelly, who wrote the source material, was so inspired by her after a fateful lunch in 2016, he wrote the first book in the ‘Ballard’ series. I think there are 6 now. The show is based on the books, which have had massive success, so let’s see if our audiences think we have realized what they have in their heads.

shirt and trousers CHRISTIAN COWAN
shoes SAM EDELMAN
necklace FALLON ACCESSORIES
earrings EFFY JEWELRY
sunglasses PRADA

What attracted you to the role as Detective Renée Ballard in this ‘Bosch’ spin-off?

I felt I could bring the world of these cops into perspective. I don’t think anyone truly realizes the hard work and sacrifice, not to mention mental toll the job takes on these men and women. They are hugely important to our society as a whole, and they deserve our utmost respect.

How do you choose your projects today? Is it the script, the team, the message, or something else?

It’s all of those things, but I do have other selfish asks. I want to be close to my husband, and not too far away from family. When I was in my 20s, it was easy to be away all the time. And I was, even in my 30s. But life has different priorities now.

You’ve been a strong advocate for animal rights and plant-based living. How do you use your platform to influence positive change in this space?

For the last 20 years I have just tried to lead by example. No one wants to be told what to do or be judged for their lifestyle. I will admit that I wasn’t always this way. When I was much younger, I judged, I got upset by peoples’ choices and I wanted to effect change quicker than it was happening. That led to a lot less patience than I have today, being older and hopefully wiser. I no longer think one lifestyle is for everyone, but I do still think there are compassionate ways to live no matter what you choose.

You’ve supported a variety of organizations, from PETA to WildAid to PCRM. Is there a particular campaign or moment of advocacy that you’re most proud of?

It would be my work with WildAid. What they have done as an organization was the smartest and most effective approach I have ever been involved with. We did very targeted consumer campaigns in the largest consumer markets in the world, and they changed consumption of shark fin, rhino horn, and purchases of Ivory in a meaningful way. I saw it with my own eyes in all the years we have worked together and I champion all that they do.

Do you feel Hollywood has become more receptive to social and environmental activism in recent years? What more needs to be done?

I think the crux of what needs to be done is that activism can take a backseat to action. We need to live what we preach, not preach for preaching’s sake. There are too many opinions in the current world and less of living authentically.

Tell us about ActivatedYou. How did the collaboration with Dr. Frank Lipman begin, and what gap did you hope to fill in the wellness space?

My journey with founding my company began over a decade ago. I wanted to build a company of premium products that actually worked. But more than that, I wanted to draw attention to peoples’ health journeys and provide a guidance and free information resource whether you bought the products or not. I wanted to create a community where we could explore health together. To build this company was always a dream of mine and I’m still pinching myself that I’m able to do it and have built the trust that I have.

blazer CHRISTIAN COWAN
shoes H&M
earrings EF COLLECTION
rings EFFY JEWELRY and BONDEYE JEWELRY
necklaces EFFY JEWELRY, EF COLLECTION and FALLON ACCESSORIES

You emphasize both modern science and traditional wisdom in your wellness philosophy. How do you personally balance these in your everyday routine?

I am able to balance them because I believe they are both vitally important. At times we can be extreme in one direction or the other, and I think that is a mistake. Modern medicine is a miracle and it can inform so much more than you might think. Traditional wisdom is not forgetting the past wins that weren’t influenced by commerce or lobbying, but rooted in allowing the body the tools to heal itself. The idea is to integrate. I guess the way I implement both is following my instincts and listening to my body, doing a lot of research and being open. If you think you have it all figured out, the learning comes to a dead stop. We have to keep learning, it’s the only way.

dress CHRISTIAN COWAN
shoes JIMMY CHOO
jewellery FALLON ACCESSORIES

Being born in Honolulu and growing up in a multicultural environment, how did that shape your identity and your worldview?

Hugely. I always saw the world as a melting pot, and that other people and cultures were not only interesting, but were to be celebrated for their differences. I think when that is the core of who you are, you can find humor in life. You can live harmoniously and your existence can be fun.

Looking ahead, what’s a role, cause, or venture you’ve yet to tackle that’s still on your bucket list?

I’m still expanding in business and hope to bring other offerings to the table. There is something about building a tangible success that means a lot to me. On the creative side, my job can be very subjective. In business, you succeed or you fail. But in the end, it’s entirely up to you. I can’t say the same for Hollywood although I have enjoyed my career very much. It’s different. So, watch this space.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent MAGGIE Q
photography DYLAN PERLOT at EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS
styling TRACY SHAPOFF at FORWARD ARTISTS
makeup JORGE MONROY
hair DEREK YUEN AT A-FRAME AGENCY
photography assistant TALON REED COOPER
location STUDIO ISM
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial direction and interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH MAGGIE Q

IN CONVERSATION WITH JESSICA CAMACHO