In an exclusive interview with ELLE, Parker Posey opens up about her role in The White Lotus, collaboration with Gap, and nostalgic reflections on her career.
In a recent interview with ELLE, actress Parker Posey shared her experiences and insights from filming the critically acclaimed series The White Lotus, as well as her involvement in Gap’s new spring campaign. The conversation began with Posey showcasing a vibrant Jim Thompson scarf, a memento from her time in Thailand. “He’s a designer. He really invigorated the Thai [silk] industry in the ’50s and is rumored to have been a CIA agent,” she said, as she displayed the palm-tree patterned scarf, emphasizing her appreciation for the beauty of Thai textiles.
In her role as Victoria Ratliff, a wealthy North Carolina mother of three, Posey highlighted how her character experiences turmoil during a family trip. “Victoria really doesn’t want to leave her room, but she does go to the gift shop and buys a cotton dress and then a pretty scarf, so yeah, this is a total souvenir,” she noted, reflecting on how the character engages with the local culture despite her struggles.
Posey discussed her recent collaboration with Gap, where she appears in a fun, choreography-laden campaign. Sporting a trench coat, carpenter jeans, and layered tops, she danced energetically in the campaign video, directed by Talia Collis and choreographed by Sadie Wilking. The video features METTE’s song “Mama’s Eyes.” Speaking of her excitement for the project, Posey said, “I’d seen some videos that they did on YouTube, and it was like, ‘Oh my God, I love this. Please, I can come in, and you can teach me dance steps. I love to dance. This is going to be really fun.’”
She fondly recounted her experience with the younger dancers on set, joking that it felt like meeting her younger self. Posey conveyed the nostalgic feeling of the ’90s era, which the campaign evokes, stating, “It felt really inspiring… just being comfortable to dance and not really look so much at your body but the attitude underneath it.” She also commented on the current popularity of dance in fashion and its positive impact on viewers, saying that it gives them a sense of strength and liberation.
Reflecting on her career, Posey mentioned the milestone of her iconic 1995 film Party Girl, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Describing the film, she said, “What I love about Party Girl is just how witty it is… it’s sharp, it’s got style, it’s got color, it’s got humor, it’s got heart.” She reminisced about her early years in New York City, recalling the sense of community and acceptance she experienced as a young actor living in a rent-controlled apartment for 13 years.
As she continues to appear on The White Lotus alongside notable co-stars like Jason Isaacs and Michelle Monaghan, Posey described the rigors of filming in Thailand for seven months. “It was a lot, it was rigorous and extreme because it’s really hot at times, but what an experience,” she noted, speaking highly of the show and its third season. “I think when you do one and two, the third season is the pinnacle, and people seem to love it, so that was great,” she added.
After the interview, Posey shared that she would head back to Bangkok for the series’ Thai premiere. The conversation closed with her light-hearted comparison of herself to her character, Victoria, regarding managing jet lag, suggesting she has a better handle on travel than her on-screen persona. “I’m a lot better than Victoria at handling jet lag,” she remarked with a laugh.
Source: Noah Wire Services
