If you’ve watched Sherlock Holmes over the holiday then you’re familiar with the talented and beautiful Rachel McAdams, featured on the January cover of Vogue. In an issue now available on newsstands, Vogue Fashion News/Feature Director Sally Singer interviews the starlet known for her turn as Regina George in Mean Girls and her breakthrough performance as Allie Hamilton in The Notebook.
In an engaging and thoughtful conversation, Singer asks McAdams about everything from musical tastes, “Indie with a current emphasis on neo-bluegrass” to working with Lindsay Lohan on Mean Girls. “I just remember marveling about how much she knew as an actor, how much she understood. She did very few takes and had this naturalness to her,” says McAdams.
Rcahel McAdams poses for Vogue, photographed by Mario Testino Vogue
Singer borrows from the style of Rachel’s own Keel’s Simply Diary (with prompts like multiple choice and fill in the blanks) to chronicle Rachel’s perspectives and uncover a few hidden truths about the often private actress. Here are a few highlights from Singer’s Vogue interview with Rachel McAdams:
“I look at the world through a green lens now. But you can’t make yourself crazy. That feeling of green guilt can be really inhibiting. It’s about a changing mind-set, remembering to turn off the water when you are brushing your teeth.”
Rachel may be a bit modest about her commitment to being Green as Singer learns the young actress has a habit of biking or walking everywhere. She also sets aside the air conditioner, explaining “I can’t live with it. I feel I’m not living in the world.”
McAdams describing her perfect day:
In high school, circa 1995, McAdams would find contentment while sitting on the sofa.
“I grew up watching so much television. I was really into soap operas. I’d begin with Days of our Lives, then Another World, and finish off with General Hospital. And before dinner I’d watch Oprah. I would fake sick all the time to the point where I’d convince myself I was sick. In high school I really didn’t pay attention. I took the bare minimum to get by.”
On her childhood:
As a young girl Rachel contemplated a life as a figure skater. She began early, lacing up the skates and hitting the ice at the age of 4.
Mario Testino/Vogue beautifully captures Rachel in red
“At nine years old I was presented an opportunity to move to Toronto to train for pairs dancing. As soon as I heard that that’s what it entailed, I was out of there. It’s like a past life. I hung up my skates and never looked back.”
On what she finds pleasure in:
“I don’t really desire things. I prefer to spend my money on experiences, on meals or travel.”
On growing up:
“My mother never put an emphasis on looks. She let us grow up on our own time line. She never forced any beauty regimen into my world.”
Rachel McAdams as she appears on the cover of the January 2010 issue of Vogue
Rachel recounts a coming of age story from her high school days about being teased for not shaving her legs. Why didn’t you tell me?’ she asked her mom. According to Singer, Rachel’s mother replied “Once you start, there’s no turning back.”
“Such a brilliant actress—not like Meryl, but she has that kind of intelligence. That brain is substantial, and if you have that along with a face you can’t take your eyes off, it’s so compelling. It’s rare.”
And on Rachel’s search for true love?
For Rachel’s answer to that and other questions, visit the Vogue website and read the entire interview here…
