Madelyn Cline's star is rising high and fast.
After starting out with small roles in Stranger Things and Vampire Diaries spin-off The Originals and starring in Netflix hit TV series Outer Banks, Cline has ascended to Hollywood's promised land and joined the beloved, bizarre Knives Out world of whodunnits.
In the much-awaited sequel, Glass Onion, she plays mysterious influencer Whiskey, joining the likes of detective Benoit Blanc himself Daniel Craig – the only actor to return from the first Knives Out outing – as well as huge Hollywood names like Ed Norton, Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae and Kathryn Hahn.
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WATCH: Madelyn Cline on fame, body image and banter with James Bond
For the latest interview in GLAMOUR's Unfiltered series, Madelyn opens up about her experiences of imposter syndrome as she navigates the world of celebrity, the things in life that make her feel most empowered and what fame and ambition means to her.
On the Glass Onion set you were surrounded by some amazing role models, like Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae… The list goes on. What did you learn from them?
They're just really generous people and generous actors. I've grown up watching and admiring them and their work. I felt really lucky to be in the same room and working with them, getting to watch them. They’re such incredibly strong, confident women. The way they hold themselves and operate on set as actors, and also as humans… I felt like a sponge. I was just watching everything. And I admire them even more now.
What was it like to work with James Bond (Daniel Craig) himself?
Daniel is the funniest motherf*cker, ever. He's also just so kind and wonderful. Jess [Henwick, Game of Thrones actress and Madelyn’s Glass Onion co-star] and I were like little mosquitoes around his ear, which was really funny. We liked to push his buttons. But watching him and working with him was so great.
What lessons have you learnt about body image and the pressure women face in your industry?
I feel like everybody puts pressure on themselves to look or act a certain way sometimes. And at the end of the day – it doesn't matter. Like, you know, we're on a floating rock hurtling through space, and to worry yourself about things like that – it's trivial. All bodies are beautiful, [realising that] is a part of self-love and self-acceptance.
As you navigate these amazing roles and the celebrity world, have you got any advice for people who may be dealing with kind of imposter syndrome or feeling they might not be good enough?
I feel that way all the time. I feel like a fraud, like I’m getting punk’d. Kathryn [Hahn] gave me the best advice for this – she said ‘lean in’. And you know, that's what I've been doing.
You've talked before about playing chess to deal with anxiety, how did that come about?
On the Glass Onion set, Leslie [Odom Jr] taught Jess and I how to play. He’d ask ‘‘what are my options?’ I think it just means to step outside of my thoughts for a second. We can often act on an anxiety or emotion that's really, really strong. But we could just take a minute, and ask ‘what can I do in the moment? What options do I have to centre myself?’ It can feel like everything is kind of closing in, but it's not true. I think [learning chess] is a wonderful life lesson in general.
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During your sex scene with Ed Norton, what role did intimacy coordinators play in empowering you and making sure you were comfortable?
I mean, it's standard to have an intimacy coordinator, and it's important to be open and honest about what you're comfortable with, not just with yourself but with your onscreen partner. And that's exactly what happened [on Glass Onion’s set]. Everybody was very respectful and gave us our space. And Rian [Johnson] made sure that we were feeling comfortable and that there's nothing that made us feel like we're crossing a line. That's how it should always be.
You've got a massive social media following (12.5million on Instagram). What do you do to make sure it doesn't impact your personal life?
Yeah, by turning it off! It's important for me to remember that with my socials I’m incredibly blessed. But at the same time, sometimes it can get very loud, so I have to turn it off and listen to myself for a second and be present in the moment. It's so nice to not be thinking ‘oh, I'm gonna take this picture to post’. It's so nice to just leave my phone somewhere for a few hours. But it’s also such a wonderful tool and I'm so thankful for it.
When do you feel at your most empowered?
When I'm in an environment where everybody's really lifting each other up, respectful, loving and just having a good time. Finding people who see you and also match your energy is so important. I feel like that's really empowering – finding your people.
And sometimes it's little things like what you're wearing, like your favourite outfit or that one piece of clothing that makes you feel like a f*cking badass. That sh*t’s empowering. Just having the ability to listen to yourself and know what you need or want is empowering.
In Glass Onion, most of the main characters are all about power and status, is that something you value?
That's all just a nasty game of chess. I don't think about it like the characters in this movie do. I think human connection is so important. Your family, your loved ones, your friends, that's what's important. So no, I did not think about it like these characters. But it is funny to watch them think about it.
As you navigate the world of celebrity, how do you look after yourself? What advice would you give for self care in high-pressure situations?
I've said this before and I'll say it again – sometimes at the end of the day, just pour a glass of wine. Talk to your friends, talk to your family and gratitude. Lots of gratitude.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is in cinemas on November 23rd and on Netflix on December 23rd.
