‘Doll Face’ Breakout Star Alix Villaret Reveals the Tough Work Behind a Hollywood A-Lister In-the-Making
If not on set, a typical day in L.A. for Alix Villaret consists of sweating it out at the gym, exploring the local food scene, and working diligently at honing her craft. We caught up with the up-and-coming French talent to get the skinny on her pre-quarantine life in the City of Angels.
Breakfast Spot
Le Pain Quotidien
Go-To Lunch Locale
Urth Cafe
Fancy Supper
Madeo Restaurant or Mr. Chow
Coffee Order
Matcha Latte is the best. Although we’re Parisian, so I actually don’t drink coffee and neither does my family. We don’t even have an Espresso machine! It’s tea for me.
Fashion Style
I like to be casual and feel good. I’m really a tomboy. I find myself drawn to vintage clothes. I like to dress it up when it’s a special occasion — heels and the whole thing. But, I’m usually in sneakers and jeans. I want to do good work. For me, it’s about the work, not the look.
Favorite Places to Shop
Bloomingdale’s because it’s so convenient and close to my internship in Century City. But, I think the Melrose Trading Post is really cool. I love vintage, and you can get really good finds when you go early on Sunday mornings.
Favorite American Film
Edward Scissorhands — I think it’s a beautiful movie. I like Tim Burton’s imagination a lot. When I’m watching a movie, I like escapism — I want to forget, I want to dream.
Favorite French Film
Mommy (2014) by writer/director Xavier Dolan. But can’t name just one! Some of my other favorites:
Léon: The Professional
Borsalino (1970)
De rouille et d’os aka Rust and Bone (2012)
Les visiteurs aka The Visitors (1993)
Two classic comedies I watched with my grandparents when I was growing up were Gérard Oury’s La Grande Vadrouille (1966) and Les Aventures de Rabbi Jacob (1973)
3 Things Always in Your Bag
The script of whatever movie I’m working on. Whenever I have a free moment, I want to learn my lines, and I want to see if I can find something in the subtext. I find whenever I read the material in different environments, I get a lot of ideas, and I’m always able to take something new away from it.
My notebook. I sound kind of boring actually, haha. But, I always like to be able to take notes about what’s on my mind. Or even when I’m dreaming, I like to put everything in there. Maybe I’ll do a screenplay one day with my dreams? Sometimes my dreams are pretty crazy, and when I wake up, I write.
I also always have a little something for the lip, whether lipstick, a good chapstick or lip gloss. And, now with Covid-19, I always have hand sanitizer, too.
Actor Inspiration
Julianne Moore — she’s so good and so beautiful. Her performance as a professor diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in Still Alice was so sad and touching.
Of course, Meryl Streep and Audrey Hepburn. Brigitte Bardot, Angelina Jolie and Natalie Portman are people I love watching on screen for their beauty and talent.
Leslie Caron (An American in Paris) is also an inspiration because she was one of the first young French actresses in Hollywood. My father actually owns a restaurant in Paris, and Leslie Caron recently walked in. She’s in her 80s, and she still has those beautiful eyes. My dad recognized her instantly.
It may not be long until Villaret is the one who is instantly recognized. Her starring role in Doll Face has landed her a Best Actress nomination from Beverly Hills Film Festival. And while Doll Face’s upcoming 2020 release is generating buzz, Villaret is already busy gearing up for her next starring role in Blind Ghost — one can safely assume with lipstick, notebook, and script in tow.
