“As kids in school, you’re told mistakes are bad, but in acting, mistakes can be gold, which is super freeing.”
Cecile Sinclair was photographed in London by Craig Benson
hair by Alexis Day
make-up by Megan McPhilemy
In this insightful interview, we sit down with Cecile Sinclair, and she discusses her journey in the fashion and entertainment industry, while reflecting on her past experiences. From her early successes to her evolving creative passions, Cecile shares the lessons she’s learned and what drives her artistry in the current landscape.
Reflecting on your global upbringing across various cultures, how has this shaped your identity?
Moving around a lot has made me super adaptable to new places and people, as well as curious! I’m quite an extrovert who likes to talk to people and hear their stories.
Can you describe how modeling has informed your approach to acting?
Modeling has given me a great foundation for acting because I’m more aware of lighting and angles and how I might appear on the screen. I love the traveling element of modeling and acting—going to a new place where you form a bubble or work-family on the project. I love the community aspect of acting and creating something together.
What personal fears have you faced in your career, and how have they influenced your chosen roles or projects?
I’ve had perhaps more moments of doubt, but I don’t think it’s as big as fear—sometimes things go differently than you had planned or hoped. I was having doubts if this career would work out for me, especially after setbacks like the pandemic or how the strikes affected jobs this year, but you just have to adjust and find a solution or pivot to creating your own work, for example.
What scares you about acting?
Trusting my body’s instincts over my loud mind can be scary, but I guess I always just feel the fear and do it anyway. As kids in school, you’re told mistakes are bad, but in acting, mistakes can be gold, which is super freeing.
It’s been said that one of Dune’s themes is about connections that transcend and endure. How have your connections (family or friends) affected you in a positive way?
The community I’ve found at Gohub has been incredible and supportive. We all just support each other and champion one another, whether it’s with acting, improving our craft, or even trying to find an agent.
I think I’ve been lucky that my friends and family have always encouraged me to pursue any mad idea or project I have in mind—like when I co-produced the play NUNS. My friend Natalya Wolter and I set up a production company with zero knowledge of theatre production, but we wanted to create something so badly that we just went for it and learned along the way.
What are you most looking forward to creatively?
Creatively, I look forward to working with different people, from actors to directors to crew members. Oh, and portraying a role that might require learning a new skill set, too! Haha, like swashbuckling, playing an instrument, or even learning a different language.
What is a film you love that others may be surprised by?
I love dark indie movies, which might surprise you. Park Chan Wook’s Thirst is my favorite vampire film.
I also love Instinct by Halina Reijn, a fellow Dutchie. It has quite a dark theme and it’s provocative. I remember watching the screening at BFI Film Festival and thinking woah, that was such a cool film! Honestly it would be a dream come true to work with either of these directors.
What is something that you would tell the younger version of yourself?
Hmmm, I would say – don’t be so hard on yourself. Which is always easier said than done I know!
