Abigail Cowen is a Huge Leonardo DiCaprio Fan
The emerging actress talks 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,' Instagram face filters, and upcoming projects.
Photography by Simone Cossettini
Clothing, shoes, and accessories throughout Ferragamo
After enchanting audiences with her role on the hit Netflix show Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, emerging actress Abigail Cowen has cast her spell on audiences—and on Hollywood, too. With a slate of new projects ahead, including landing the lead in another Netflix series, Fate: The Winx Saga, Cowen is certain to leave us bewitched.
As the weather cools down, Cowen's career is heating up, so Simone Cossettini photographed the actress wearing all clothing by Ferragamo, which debuts its next collection in Milan tomorrow. Below, the rising star opens up to L'Officiel USA about Sabrina, her home in Florida, and Instagram face filters.
What actors did you admire growing up?
Growing up, I actually didn’t watch a lot of TV or movies. I grew up on a farm, so most of my time was spent outside playing and making up stories. But now, I definitely admire a lot of actors. I’m a huge fan of Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Michelle Williams, Jennifer Lawrence, Brie Larson, Emma Stone, and of course, Leonardo DiCaprio. Actually, I would say he was my favorite actor growing up.
Did you ever imagine a time that you would be acting?
Acting was my dream my whole life. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be an actress. It was always something I just knew I had to do. I remember bawling my eyes out to my mom on the way to school in fourth grade about how I had to be an actress, and how it was something just burning within me. My mom was so frazzled. She was just like, “Okay. Well, go take your math test and we’ll talk about signing you up for some acting classes.”
What have been the most challenging projects that you’ve been a part of? Looking back, what have you learned?
So far, a lot of my roles have actually been very delightful. If there was a time I found challenging, though, I would have to say it was one of the night scenes in the woods in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, when it was freezing cold and rainy and we were in dresses. Definitely learned that I am a Florida girl at heart and that I’m a wimp when it comes to the cold.
When filming Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, you’ve mentioned that it was imperative for the weird sisters to have chemistry. What are some methods one can use to create chemistry when acting?
Well, we all had chemistry before we were cast. But I think the most important thing is to have a friendship offscreen. I think that getting to know the people you are working with and having a good energy with them completely transforms a scene. Plus, it creates a wonderful working environment all around.
Is there an acting technique that’s special to you?
I really don’t have a specific technique, except for coming from a place of empathy. I think that acting is actually a way of life, as weird and hippie as that sounds. I think, as an actor, it’s imperative to always be listening, observing, and genuinely caring for people, because at the end of the day, a lot of what you pull from is what you’ve experienced in your life, or how you relate to and understand those experiences. And a lot of the time, you’re put in a scene that you can’t personally relate to, but coming from a place of empathy and understanding, you are able to not only walk in that character’s shoes, but feel what they would feel. And I think the same thing should go with life.
When you think of escaping, what places do you think of?
Home in Florida, on my mom’s couch, eating her chicken noodle soup.
When it comes to clothes, how would you describe your personal style?
Oh gosh. I have a wide range of style. I honestly just dress according to how I feel that day. Lately, I’ve been leaning toward more tom-boy, laid back, kind of edgy stuff. I just got a pair of Doc Martens and I’ve been wearing them every day, I feel like a total badass in them.
What’s your favorite Instagram face filter?
I tried the one where it turns you into the opposite gender and cried laughing. I looked like my dad and brother combined, and definitely had a nightmare about it. That would have to be my favorite so far.
How do you spend your off days?
I usually spend them sleeping! But if I’m caught up on all of my missed sleep, then I usually will go hang out with my friends, go to the beach, go for random drives with no destination in mind. Actually, yeah, that’s what I like to do the most. My friends and I pile into a car, blast music, and just drive. It’s my favorite thing ever.
What makes you want to get up and go every morning?
Honestly, acting does—and coffee, but that’s a given. I wake up every morning thankful that I get to do what I love and I just get excited for the opportunities that might come my way that day. I love the feeling of working toward something that I’m so passionate about, even if nothing comes from it right away. I’ve learned to really let myself enjoy the process and the journey, and that’s helped me a lot.
