CHARLIE’S Angels star Ella Balinska has become a bit of a phenomenon since the film hit the theatres in 2019. She’s young, she’s fresh and she’s got the stamina to take over Hollywood. The 23-year-old has gone from strength to strength in an exceptionally short time. From the Met Gala to the BAFTAs, her surreal experiences have turned the actress into one of the industry’s most anticipated newcomers.
The day before our interview, Balinska was presented an award at the BAFTAs. Wearing an eye-catching floralpatterned Giambattista Valli gown in an asymmetric shape, she was the picture of grace and old Hollywood. Speaking of her evening, Balinska is both wistful and grateful. “It was an amazing night. I remembered when I was eight years old, watching everyone attending the ceremony at the Royal Albert Hall. And last night I was that person. I felt like I was hopefully inspiring eight-year olds somewhere else,” she recalls.
This year’s ceremony wasn’t without its controversy. With the #BAFTASoWhite outcry trending on twitter, even Prince William addressed the lack of diversity in the film industry in his speech. As efforts to expand representation in cinema continue at all levels, Balinska’s debut film Charlie’s Angels tackles the above and moves the conversation even further. Instead of catering for the male gaze, the film is targeted towards female empowerment. “I think it’s an amazing choice by Elizabeth [Banks, director] to shift the narrative of the Charlie’s Angels franchise.
Ella Balinska. Photograph: Paul Scala
“Never for one moment did we do anything for the sake of wanting it to look a certain way. It was all just a performance and all about the moment,” Balinska recalls. Following the trail of three extraordinary women – played by Balinska, Kristen Stewart and Naomi Scott – the franchise is a statement to real-life females: “You see these representations of humanity – we represented it like real people,” she points out. “We’re not superheroes, we don’t have superpowers. We win and fail, laugh and cry like everybody else. Anyone’s transformative story and coming-of-age story is always a fulfilling watch because you’re able to understand and resonate with that journey. Especially towards the end of the film, the audience goes through recruitment themselves because they’ve been through the same process.”
Balinska’s character, Jane Kano, excels in combat, which is something that Balinska is also skilled at, having done extreme training her entire life. How did she connect with Jane, though? What was the shared link that brought their personas into one silver screen entity? “When I read the script, it was someone who really had a hard time relinquishing control,” Balinska tells me.
“And there is a lot of emotional insecurity that comes about. She has to hold in her emotions around people because she has to be able to control everything. She’s very independent like that.” Her relationship with her co-stars was also a primordial element in her character’s development. “What was great about working with Kristen and Naomi was the fact that they are so vibrant and full of life that I was really able to bounce off of that,” she adds. “They are two very generous actors that gave me a lot to work with. It is a lot about responding to everything that they give to you.”
Ella Balinska. Photograph: Paul Scala
Ella Balinska. Photograph: Paul Scala
Ella Balinska. Photograph: Paul Scala
Her physical expertise also helped create the necessary synergy: “I’m trained in all of the things that Jane needed to do. So I was able to not have to think about the physical side of the character too much. That was something that rang very true to me.” As with every newcomer, her path to stardom wasn’t paved with applause but with an incredible amount of rejection.
But Balinska was certain that she was on the right path after being accepted into the Guildford School of Acting. Her mother is the TV chef Lorraine Pascale and she is ever thankful for her support and those of other loved ones: “For them, what I’m doing might be crazy, but they’re all standing there by me and being real support systems through the whole thing.” How did she power through the naysayers though? “There was an amazing thing at drama school that me and my friends used to have,” Balinska begins.
“The key was not to fear failure. As one of our tutors said at the time, ‘make an interesting choice’. You know, as a way to inspire each other, to not to be afraid to go out there and make an absolute fool of ourselves. And I think that’s one of the most amazing things that has been there for me.” Wise beyond her years and modest almost to a fault, Balinska thinks of success in very small terms. Speaking of her breakthrough moment in Charlie’s Angels, her words exude humility.
“I didn’t think, ‘oh my God, my life is going to change!’ For me, it was a much quieter victory. In the audition, I took a risk and they really liked my choice. The fact that I found enough truth in the character for them to believe me was the victory … in a wider picture, it gradually developed.”
Ella Balinska. Photograph: Paul Scala
Whatever the future may bring, one thing’s for sure – we’ll be hearing a lot more about Balinska over the coming decade. For now, though, she is evidently too level-headed to indulge herself in any fantasies. Instead, she takes pleasure in finally being able to call her own shots. “Wherever I am, I’ve been working on integrating a slight routine. It sounds really silly, but my line of work is so not structured that it’s nice to be able to have the power to find your own.”
Then, concluding on a simple note, she says: “Last year was an absolute whirlwind and now I’m in a position where I’m able to really take control.” In spite of her humility, she reminds me of Roman Payne’s words from The Wanderess. “Never did the world make a queen out of a girl who hides in houses and dreams without travelling.” And Ella Balniska is undoubtedly on her own personal voyage.
by Adina Ilie
Photographer PAUL SCALA @paulscala
Stylist KARL PLEWKA @karlplewka
Make up KAY MONTANO @kaymontano at THE WALL GROUP using CHANTECAILLE
Hair KEN O’ROURKE @kenorouke1 at PREMIER HAIR AND MAKE-UP using CHARLES WORTHINGTON
Manicurist MICHELLE HUMPHREY @nailsbymh at LMC WORLDWIDE using BIO SCULPTURE
Production SUSIE BABCHICK @susiebabchick at RSA PHOTOGRAPHIC/RIDLEY SCOTT ASSOCIATES
Set designer CIARAN LINDEN BEALE
Styling assistant ANNE LAURITZEN
Digital tech AARON GAIGER
Lighting TERRY BROADBENT
Talent ELLA BALINSKA @ellabalinska
Special thanks to ALVA STUDIOS
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