Malina Weissman Talks Aspirations And Dares With PIBE

Most notably known for her leading role as Violet Baudelaire in Netflix series ‘A Series Of Unfortunate Events’, Malina Weissman opens up to PIBE about her long term goal of becoming a director and her love for living in the Big Apple as a teenager.

The young American actress has starred in various film titles such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2014), Nine Lives (2016) and Thirsty (2016) and has worked with major fashion brands such as DKNY, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and H&M as a model from as early as eight years old.

In tune with our seventh issue theme “DARE YOU” we've caught up with the humble young star who talks us through her life and how she likes to kick back.

In what ways would you say you can relate to your character Violet in ASOUE?

Violet is such a role model in so many ways. She loves to invent and be creative.

I can relate to her because we both love to create. I love art and making different things out of old warn out materials.

Out of all the characters you have ever played, which can you resonate with the most?

I can definitely resonate most with Violet. I have been able to develop her character over a long period of time, much longer than any other role. I was able to truly find out and understand who she is and grow with her on screen.

You are both an actress and a model, which can easily go hand in hand, but which did you dream of achieving? Did you set out to be either? Both?

I find acting and modelling so different. Modelling involves photography and fashion, and acting involves film and acting.

My dream is to become a director, so being able to watch different directors work is incredible. I guess being an actor on a film set is closer to my dream of becoming a director.

You’re a mature young star with so much experience under your belt already — so well done firstly — but are you still able to enjoy the perks of teenage-hood too? How does Malina kick back?

I live in New York which is such a great place to grow up. I go to a public school in the city, and to kick back I usually just hang out with my friends. I love being able to be a teenager growing up in New York, and I am definitely able to enjoy it.

Can you tell us the most daring things you have done as a fifteen years old actress/model?

I try to do daring things all the time. I still wouldn’t say, though, that there are any huge daring things I’ve done as an actress. I guess the main thing would be moving to a different country where I had to make new friends and create a new home for the last two and a half years, but then still be able to come home to NYC with the same friends and surroundings I had before. 

Any dream roles you have already added to you bucket list?

I bet it would be really fun to play a really mean character. Every role I have played so far have been nice girls so I would love to play someone completely different.

Can you tell us a bit about how you emerged in the acting world?

I started off modelling and then gradually went on to do commercial and film auditions. 

If you could choose a ‘celebrity’ of your choice, to carry out a dare of your choice, who and what would it be?

I would make a cartoon character come to life! I would dare Tina and Louise Belcher from Bob’s Burgers to show me their text messages.

What has been the biggest perk so far of being a young actress?

The biggest perk so far is being able to travel and learn from people who are doing what I want to do when I’m older. 

Lastly in tune with our issue “DARE YOU” how does Malina dare to be different?

There are so many trends everywhere circling the world; on social media, when walking down the street and just by word of mouth. You can be different in the way you dress or being able to say something that others are afraid to say. I hope that I can be a voice for the things that I believe in and make a change - even if the change is small.

Words / JESSIE PINK

PIBE #Issue 4
Talent / Malina Weissman
Photography / Jason Kim @Art Department
Styling / Rachel Gilman @Altered Agency
Make up / Laura Stiassni @The Wall Group using Sisley
Hair / Kiri Yoshiki
Nails / Yuko Wada @Atelier Management