By: Jamie Steinberg
Q) What was it about the film ICONIC that made you want to be a part of it?
A) I love horror and anything gay coded. And I love getting weird. So, yeah, taking this role was a no brainer for me.
Q) How was your role of Lily originally described to you?
A) Matthew [Freiheit] described Lily to me as someone who will do anything to get to the top, even if it means hurting other people. I think Lily’s motivations stem from feelings of inadequacy and severe depression. Lily uses her sex appeal to get what she wants. What’s sad about her story to me is I think that’s all she’s ever known how to do. I don’t think Lily knows much about real love. And I think she is a good representation of the toxic sides of our current culture. She just wants to be admired and get her quick fix to escape her own darkness.
Q) What was the breakdown for Lily and Rose’s relationship?
A) I like to think that Lily really is a fan of Rose’s (Emma Jade) and I think the attraction she feels to Rose is real. But sometimes when we fall for people we don’t know if we want them or hate them or want to be them. I think Lily feels all of the above and she’s definitely a psycho who needs help. And, unfortunately, Rose suffers at the hands of this. I think poor Rose is just trying to find genuine love while trapped in an artificial bubble.
Q) Did you and Emma Jade get to spend some time together before filming to flesh out that on-screen chemistry?
A) Absolutely. During the auditions we switched off with a lot of different actors and, honestly, that chemistry was just naturally there. But we definitely spent a lot of time together prior to filming and we became close friends.
Q) As beauty influencers, I wish I had their talents for makeup but maybe not be possessed/poisoned. Were even you and Emma left wondering if it was the product or something more sinister that made Rose altered?
A) I think there’s some darker forces at play for sure. And drugs. Lots of drugs. This whole film is essentially a hallucination.
Q) Matthew Freiheit wrote and directed the movie. What was it like working with him on ICONIC?
A) Matt’s great and absolutely insane in all the right ways. He’s so talented. I’ve never worked with a director who writes, directs and shoots his own projects. That’s iconic, for sure. I don’t know how he does it. He’s one to watch! His brain is full of wild ideas. You’ll see.
Q) I have to ask about filming the kitchen fight. Was that the most difficult scene for you to shoot for the movie?
A) It wasn’t too hard actually. I love stunt work and I grew up doing that type of choreo so it was more exciting for me. We had a great stunt team to guide us.
Q) How did you shake off the intensity and adrenaline from shooting that scene?
A) I honestly felt fine after, which is slightly concerning. Maybe I should look into that.
Q) This film resonates with how we hold our influencers to a high standard and become obsessed. What do you think it is about ICONIC that is going to captivate so many viewers?
A) Besides the insane psychedelic visuals, I think influencer culture in downtown Los Angeles is a really fascinating subject to a lot of people. And it’s very real. Trolls on the internet put a lot of pressure on their favorite influencers to be absolutely perfect all the time which isn’t fair. They are humans, too, and I think people need to remember that.
Q) What are the other recent projects that you have been busy working on lately?
A) I just wrapped a film called Internet Boy where I play a disturbed creature. And The Looming by Masha Ko where I am also playing a disturbed creature. There’s a pattern here for sure. Indie horror filmmakers, please hit me up!
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the work you do?
A) I mean, anyone who supports any of us hardworking psychos in the indie world is probably awesome and I want to be friends with them.