We met up with Willow Shields for a polaroid shoot and quick interview in Echo Park right before the holiday season went into full effect. She currently can be found playing ‘Serena Baker’ on ‘Spinning Out’. We quickly found that Willow is not only a phenomenal actress but also genuinely loves to create. We stepped into the world of a 70’s queen, garden astronaut, and lace-loving witch. Get to know Willow better below and check out the full film editorial.

Why acting?

I’ve always loved storytelling whether it’s reading books, watching movies, listening to music. So to have a hand in helping create that story in a film or tv show is a very unique experience.

Best and hardest part of your career?

The best part would be the relationships I get to create with my cast members on projects both on and off-screen. And the hardest part of my career is probably just the amount of work involved every day in everything you do as an actor from doing stunts one day, to having an emotional scene with someone the next. But I also love how things change day to day so no one day is ever the same for me in my job.

What does vulnerability mean to you?
I feel like vulnerability means sharing parts of yourself that make you almost uncomfortable. But those are the parts of you that I think everyone should share with people in order to truly connect. That’s why vulnerability is scary because it’s uncomfortable but the result of being vulnerable is so beautiful.

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is being confident in who you are but also going beyond outward beauty. To me when I see kindness in someone, to see a person helping others it automatically makes them beautiful to me.

What does authenticity mean to you?

Authenticity to me is something I see a lot on sets or just in many artists I meet. You can always tell when an actor/artist of any kind is being truly authentic in what they’re doing. And for me authenticity in the art world is being open and vulnerable enough to be your authentic self, or make authentic choices based on what form of art you are making. To be authentic and unique is so important every day but especially in an artist community and at work for me.

Dream role?

I don’t have a dream role. My goal is to just play as many different types of roles as possible and tell as many different stories as possible. I love to feel challenged on every project I work on so whether that be learning a new skill in order to play the role or just have to go into a different realm of emotions I haven’t had to explore much before then I just love pushing myself a little bit more every project I do.

How was it filming ‘Spinning Out’?

Filming ‘Spinning Out’ was one of the best on-set experiences I’ve ever had. Our whole cast became so close which made filming together in the snow every day so fun. Kaya and I truly became like sisters while filming this and through all the emotional and physical scenes we had to do in this show I feel like we all held each other up, cheered one another on, and laughed together in between takes.

How was it to learn to figure skate

One of the most challenging things I’ve ever done. I trained hours and hours a day for about two months before filming and we all trained together while working on the show as well. I started with zero figure skating experience but by the end of the show, I really was proud of what I learned to do on the ice. I pushed myself to learn as much skating before the show because it was only after the long days of training, falling, leaving practice bruised up that I truly understood my character, Serena.

Do you relate to the character?

I relate to her drive and ambition a lot. But a lot of my character I had to build because she is really quite different from me. Her upbringing, her life with her mom and sister were all things I had to just dive into and find little things I could relate to.

Biggest lesson you learned in 2019?

It’s not a lesson but I just love learning. I’ve realized how fulfilling it is to learn from day to day. More about your friends, family, work, something new. Learning is so important to do every day.

Talent + Styling: Willow Shields @willowshields

Photo: Weslee Kate @wesleekatecreative

Meet Actress & Muse Willow Shields