March 21, 2024 |
It’s an age-old tale of an aspiring actor being plucked from obscurity and, seemingly overnight, transforming into a star. But very few can say their first major break came from an Instagram DM slide. Milena Smit, 27, was working as a receptionist when she was contacted through the social media app about auditioning for a role in the thriller Cross the Line.
Her portrayal of the dysfunctional lead, Mila, caught the attention of legendary auteur Pedro Almodóvar, whose team summoned the rising talent to audition for his lauded 2021 flick Parallel Mothers. Smit’s second role saw her play Ana, a heavily pregnant teenager battling with the prospect of becoming a single mother. She shares these anxieties with Janis (played by Penélope Cruz), who she’s on the maternity ward with, both dealing with the realisation of starting a family alone. Speaking of Smit in Vogue Spain, Almodóvar wrote that “despite her youth, she has lived long enough not to lose her head”. In a few short years, Smit has quickly propelled herself to become one of Spain’s most in-demand actresses – playing the lead in both Netflix’s Tin & Tina and TV show The Snow Girl. She’s become a fashion darling, too, joining Anthony Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent family and starring in the house’s AW22 campaign. Watch her bloom.
10: Who was your style icon growing up?
Milena Smit: When I was younger, I went through many phases of different styles until I found the one I felt most comfortable with. But I remember that I used to look a lot at Avril Lavigne, since I’ve always been a bit “dark” when it comes to my style choices, but with that sweet twist, too.
10: What’s the best movie costume you’ve ever worn?
MS: Actually, my favourite one is not from a movie. I remember a Tinkerbell costume I made with my mother at home for a carnival performance at school. It felt like something special to me.
10: What or who inspired you to be an actress?
MS: My story with cinema might be a little unusual because I never wanted to be an actress in the first place. This profession came into my life to improve it in all aspects. I found a job that fulfilled me and that felt like [it was] made for me. Before that I felt kind of lost career-wise and had no vocation in particular. My first film No Matarás [2020’s Cross the Line] became a leap into that void, which made me want to immerse myself more into this world. And shooting Madres Paralelas [2021’s Parallel Mothers] with Pedro Almodóvar and Penélope Cruz made me really understand this profession. They inspired me a lot, and any kind of doubts I might have had before dissipated during those months of rehearsals.
10: What’s your idea of style heaven?
MS: I think elegance. Obviously, I always wear a lot of black, although lately I’m experimenting with other colours that make me feel good. But I’m always looking for an elegant look.
10: How do you get into character for a role – do the costumes help?
MS: I usually work with my acting coach, Yasmina Rincón, to prepare the characters I play. It is a figure that I consider important for the actor and since I started in this profession I’ve cared about having it in my life. Also, during the rehearsal process I usually ask the costume team if I can borrow some clothes to rehearse with them on in order to get more into the character. It’s so I can feel the clothes just as the character would, how she walks in her shoes or what kind of accessories she wears. The costume is very important.
10: What’s your idea of style hell?
MS: I don’t really relate to looks that make you look like a princess or kind of cheesy. It is simply not my thing.
10: How do you feel when you wear Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello?
MS: Like myself. That’s how it feels wearing Saint Laurent to me. As I said before, elegance and the colour black are key to me when it comes to dressing myself, so I couldn’t feel more identified with the brand and the pieces that Anthony Vaccarello creates for Saint Laurent.
10: What makes the Spanish creative scene so exciting?
MS: I agree that in Spain art is very important and there are many artists who support culture. Although it is also true that conditions should improve in order [for artists] to get greater support. I think that among poets, painters, musicians, dancers, sculptors, actors/ actresses, cinema, theatre, and so on, from the past to the present, we find great artists that have marked this country and internationally by making art one of the most outstanding things in Spain.
10: When do you feel most creative?
MS: I love writing and I usually write a lot when I’m going through a rough time. But when I’m feeling happy I look for spaces where ideas come to me, like in nature or when I’m travelling by train.
10: If we went to Madrid for a night out, what should we do?
MS: Definitely go to dinner at a good restaurant and have some wine with your friends! I know you can do that in many places, but Madrid has a vibe that everything you do feels so nice and good.
Taken from 10 Magazine Issue 72 – DARE TO DREAM – out March 25. Pre-order your copy here.
SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO: DARK STAR
Photographer STEFANO GALUZZI
Fashion Editor SOPHIA NEOPHITOU
Talent MILENA SMIT
Text PAUL TONER
Hair HIROSHI MATSUSHITA using Oribe Hair Care
Make-up REBECA TRILLO-FIGUERO at Another Artists Agency
Manicurist MAITE JIMENEZ
Digital operator MANOLA CASCIANO at Officina Otto
Photographer’s assistant DAVIDE GIUSEPPE SANTINELLI
Fashion assistants GEORGIA EDWARDS and SONYA MAZURYK
Casting DAVID CHEN
Production ZAC APOSTOLOU
Location CONTRATIEMPO CAMEI DANCE STUDIO, Malaga
Special thanks to CARLOS RAMOS and Safe Management
Clothing and accessories throughout by SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO, SUMMER 24 COLLECTION
