Halston Sage, who can be seen in the upcoming movies The Last Summer and X-Men: Dark Phoenix, remains deeply connected to her family and friends.
ART DIRECTOR ELLA MCNANEY 1ST ASSISTANT CATHERINE FORSYTH PHOTOGRAPHER LARSEN SOTELO PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT LUIS TRUJILLO PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT NICK EDMONDS FASHION STYLIST NICOLAS BRU FASHION STYLIST ASSISTANT KIRSTEN READER HAIR STYLIST KYLEE HEATH MAKE-UP ARTIST KATE SYNNOTT PRODUCTION VENI MAGAZINE INTERVIEW BY CHRISTIAN CHENSVOLD
In LA they call them unicorns, as the likelihood of meeting one is about the same. They are otherwise known as native Angelenos, or people who grew up everywhere from Malibu to Pasadena. Halston Sage is such one, and though she was born in La-La Land, she wasn’t one of those kids who landed her first break at the age of three. Sage’s parents — with the wisdom that comes from having a name like Sage — raised their beautifully talented daughter to have a normal childhood, before venturing off into the entertainment industry. The protective approach worked wonders, and the budding star, who can be seen in the upcoming movies The Last Summer and X-Men: Dark Phoenix, remains deeply connected to her family and friends.
VM: You’re one of the few people who grew up in Los Angeles. Did that make it easier to start working in the entertainment industry?
HS: Yes they call us unicorns; we’re definitely rare. Growing up in LA, you are surrounded by the entertainment industry, so when I went to my parents saying that I wanted to act, they didn’t know if it was something I was just surrounded by or if it was something I actually wanted for myself. I didn’t start acting until I was 17. At the time it was frustrating, but now I’m grateful and feel like I’ve had two different lives.
VM: What do you most value about having those normal years?
HS: I really appreciated family time. I rode horses, so driving out to the barn with my mom everyday was something I’ll always remember. It’s really important to me to have a home base, and it’s what I’m most grateful for in my life in general. My parents taught me that family comes first and that it’s important to have balance in life. You can fully commit to your career, but you have to make sure you enjoy the other parts of life as well.
VM: When you got the green light, how did it begin?
HS: My first agent was a family friend, and we were at their house and I was putting on a show to make everyone laugh. They said she has something, and my parents said, “Go away, it’s creepy!” Growing up I was in school plays and always wanted to make people laugh. I ended up shooting the pilot for How To Rock my senior year. It got picked up and I started right after graduating high school.
VM: Does the industry like funny, pretty women, or does it tend to see them as separate types?
HS: I think the industry is changing so much right now. We are moving in a more promising direction in terms of the types of roles available to women. There are so many projects that are just open. It’s more exciting than ever because there are so many types of roles for so many types of actresses.
VM: What kind of projects would you like to do? More comedy? Or something physically challenging, like a kick-ass superhero?
HS: There are hundreds of types of movies I’d like to do, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have a little drama, comedy, and sci-fi all mixed into my career. Each world is so different, and you get so much out of each of them. I fall in love with a character and story, and sometimes that character is funny, sometimes complicated, and sometimes a very cool, strong badass. And who wouldn’t want to be a superhero?
VM: Speaking of which, you’re in an upcoming Marvel project.
HS: I can say that I have a role in the new X-Men movie, but I can’t say much else yet. I’m very excited!
VM: Whose work do you follow closely?
HS: I grew up watching Julia Roberts movies because I love a rom-com, which is why I’m so excited to have been a part of The Last Summer on Netflix. I love Nicole Kidman and have so much respect for Reese Witherspoon and everything she is doing with her production company, which is creating amazing opportunities for women in the business. Anyone who knows me knows that I will watch any Damien Chazelle film because I’m obsessed with La La Land, and also anything Jean-Marc Vallée is a part of.
VM: Soon young women will be admiring you. What advice would you offer?
HS: I would say to always make choices with your heart. If your heart is in your work, you can’t go wrong. I would also say to stay close to family and friends, because they are there for you no matter how challenging this business can be. I know I get a little crazy when I’m not working or I’m heartbroken over a project I wanted. I’m very grateful to have my family or best friends to make me feel better at the end of the day.
VM: Heartbreak can be tough, personally and professionally.
HS: Yes, and one of my weaknesses is that I care so deeply about everyone and everything. It’s a good and a bad quality to have, but you just have to be open to that part of yourself and appreciate it in a way.
VM: You were competitive in equestrian. Isn’t that dangerous?
HS: Well you can get hit playing baseball, so every sport has its risks. Growing up, riding taught me a lot about commitment, hard work, and setting goals. It also gave me a competitive spirit, which can’t hurt. I was riding five or six days a week and I just don’t have the time to be fully in it right now. I can’t really half-ass anything.
VM: How would you describe your fashion style?
HS: Classic chic. I grew up always loving clothes.
VM: Most people are either an acquirer or editor of their wardrobe. Do you tend to accumulate stuff or delete it?
HS: I try to be an editor, but I’m not good at it. I love borrowing pieces from my mother’s closet that she had in the ’80s, so I have that mentality too, of maybe someday something will come back into fashion!
