story / Maria Elena
photos / Shanna Fisher @ Day Reps
styling / Jessy Cain @ Wall Group
makeup / Jenn Streicher
hair / Derek Yuen
special thanks to Edi Kaminska
Itâs a windy Valentineâs Day morning when Arielle Kebbel calls me. Although primarily based in Los Angeles, she is currently at a yoga retreat in Mexico. âI love it here, itâs very untouched,â she tells me. And despite her busy schedule, there is a sense of calmness in Kebbelâs voice, and Iâm excited to dive into her mind.
Normally, I have phone anxiety. I can easily talk in person or through text or e-mail, but I despise phone calls. Something about them makes me feel oddly uncomfortable. But with Kebbel, itâs different. Weâve never spoken before and quite frankly, I donât really know what to expect. Yet every word she speaks is so down-to-earth, like calling an old friend for a casual conversation. She also has a fascinating stillness about her that makes you want to know more.
So then, who exactly is Arielle Kebbel? Letâs just say that she always plays that one character you canât get enough of. She portrays everyoneâs favorite vampire Lexi on CWâs The Vampire Diaries, and she graces the screen as Carrie in 2006âs classic teen comedy, John Tucker Must Die.
Wondering where else youâve seen her? How about American Pie? Gilmore Girls? Aquamarine? The list goes on.
Dress by Tracy Reese, heels by Minna Parikka
That said, Kebbel must know a thing or two about youth, the theme of this issue, considering sheâs portrayed a vampire that never ages and has taken part in films that will forever live in our adolescent hearts. Her definition of the ever-fleeting, time-relative concept? âA playful heart.â Instead of letting age and time define the word, she thinks âitâs all in the attitude,â and I couldnât agree more.
These days the actress plays Tracy Legette on HBOâs Ballers, a series centered around football players and their crazy lives. âEvery day on the set of Ballers is different because we shoot almost everything on location,â she shares. âI never know what each location will bring to my acting experience. I love that the city of Miami has become an important character in our show.â
But I almost forgot to mention the best part: Kebbel gets to play Dwayne Johnsonâs (yes, The Rock) love interest. âWorking with DJ is great,â she tells me, gushing, âHe always shows up with a smile on his face and is very collaborative on set. We both always want each scene to be the best that it can be and I love working opposite someone with that kind of attitude.â
Earlier this year, it was announced that Kebbel had been cast as Gia Matteo in Fifty Shades Freed, the third and final installment in E.L. Jamesâ book and film series. The character, an intelligent, sensual architect that everyone loves to hate and hates to love, is referred to as âMiss-Provocative-and-Unfortunately-Good-at-Her-Jobâ by protagonist Anastasia Steele, and with good reason.
To suddenly be a part of such a successful franchise would excite anyone, and Kebbel shares her enthusiasm with me: âItâs definitely still sinking in. Thereâs a lot going on behind Gia and I wanna know what makes her the way she is. Sheâs so smart, yet so spicy. Thereâs a lot of responsibility for me to portray her authentically.â
Kebbelâs acting career is nothing short of eclectic and every type of artist can find inspiration from that. Her advice for young artists trying to get their big break is to âhave faith that if you work hard and keep at it, it will happen.â
Yet, considering her considerable experience with both mermaids and vampires, I have to ask the life-or-death question: âIf you had to choose between the two, what would you be?â
We have a laugh over this one. âDonât do this to me, no way!â After minutes of speculation, she says if she âhad to pick, [it would be] a mermaid.â And anyway, she does share with me that her favorite part of about living in Los Angeles is âall of the beaches,â so her answer is expected if not characteristic. After all, her name is Arielle.
Overalls by Erin Fetherston. Blouse by St.Roche
Dress by Camilyn Beth, sneakers by Minna Parikka. Socks by Darner.