IN CONVERSATION WITH AYESHA MADON
interview by JANA LETONJA
South Asian-Australian artist and actress Ayesha Madon, starring in this fashion story captured by Dave Foster. This Summer, the Australian It Girl — best known for her breakout role in Netflix’s ‘Heartbreak High’ — released her debut single ‘Blame Me.'
suit HELSA STUDIO
shoes TONY BIANCO
How would you describe Ayesha Madon in your own words?
Unfiltered. Unhinged. Hungry.
You’ve gained massive attention with your role in ‘Heartbreak High’. What initially drew you to acting, and how has this experience shaped your career?
I’ve been in love with acting ever since kindergarten when my brother encouraged me to audition for our primary school play, which I didn’t get into. But nevertheless, I’ve always been drawn to narrative and text, and have grown up in the theatre, so acting has kind of always just been an integral part of my life and the way I have made friends and found expression. It has always and continues to challenge me personally and professionally, and is one of the only times that I feel flow and at peace.
full look MICHAEL KORS
Who have been your biggest influences in shaping your sound, and how did you find your musical voice?
I’d like to think I’m still finding and expanding upon my sound. I grew up listening to a variety of music from musical sound tracks like ‘Sound of Music’ and ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, to early nineties pop like Britney Spears and Hilary Duff. But my passion for singing really came from being inspired by the likes of Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Freddie Mercury, Beyonce. I’ve always been attracted to big voices.
Your latest single ‘Blame Me’ has been compared to artists like Carly Rae Jepsen and Sabrina Carpenter. What was the inspiration behind this track, and how does it differ from your previous releases?
This track felt low stakes to me in a really good way. In the past, I’ve overthought a lot of my creative decisions and wondered if things were unique or cool enough to put out. This song just feels simple in the best way to me. I wrote it with honesty about a real scenario in my life and I think it sounds exactly like how I felt about this person. And I didn’t think too much about if other people would like it because I did. That’s also new for me.
From acting to music and now becoming a fixture at Australia Fashion Week, you’ve got a lot on your plate. How do you balance all these different creative pursuits while staying authentic to who you are?
I keep my family and friends close and I prioritise down time. But to be honest, I really love what I do. It invigorates me every day and because I love it so much, I really thrive off staying busy. It also helps that my manager Chloe is the most hard working, organised and efficient person in the entire world and pretty much runs my entire life. Without her, I definitely couldn’t take on so much.
top and bottom THE FRANKIE SHOP
belt THE FRANKIE SHOP
shoes CULT GAIA
How do you maintain your authenticity on social media and in the public eye?
Social media can be a really dangerous space for young people, setting unrealistic expectations of beauty, career, lifestyle, etc., and I’m really hyper aware of that. I think I just try to be the person that I would want to see. As I get older, I think I care less and less about how I’m perceived, so there’s a lot of freedom to be openly myself within that.
You won Elle Australia’s Trailblazer Award. How does it feel to be recognized as a leading figure in the industry, and what does this recognition mean to you personally?
The term “trailblazer” is one that I do not take lightly. I associate it with breaking down political and social boundaries, artistic risk and authenticity. These are all qualities that I have been striving for my whole artistic life, so to know that I’m perceived that way is so unbelievably special to me. It’s honestly the biggest honour and compliment someone could give me in my books, so thank you Elle for the recognition.
How do you see fashion as an extension of your artistic expression, and what role does it play in your life?
I’ve always loved fashion. I dress to my mood when I’m off duty and have done so since I was little, so I think it has played an integral role in expressing who I am as a person and by extension a performer. I love thinking about branding and artistic identity, so I think it really helps me define and make sense of who I am as an artist and the changes that come with that journey, especially as I’m not really a visual person. It’s the one visual medium that I can engage with and link my other mediums to.
left
top and bottom AYA MUSE
shoes PARIS GEORGIA
right
top and bottom BUCI
socks THE FRANKIE SHOP
shoes TONY BIANCO
As your star continues to rise, what are your hopes for the future? Whether in music, acting, or fashion, where do you see yourself going next, and what legacy do you hope to leave behind?
I’m not really that superficially ambitious for the most part. Long term goals overwhelm me, so I tend to focus more on short term and personal goals that involve training, improvement and expansion of skill set. I tend to think if I set goals that I can control, that the more “shiny resume” goals will then follow. For now, my goals are to continue to write music and release an EP early next year, and to get my hands on an acting project that challenges me whatever that may look like. It’s so boring and simple, but I really just want to keep getting the opportunity to engage in what I love. As for legacy, I want to continue to take creative risks and hopefully be a trailblazer for younger performers who haven’t previously felt represented like I did. Rudimentary, but I also just want to be a good person and impact people’s lives positively.
TEAM CREDITS:
talent AYESHA MADON
photography DAVE FOSTER
styling KIRSTY STEWART AT THE ONLY AGENCY
hair & makeup EMMA WHITE TURLE AT THE WALL GROUP USING LISA ELDRIDGE MAKEUP & DRYBAR
photography assistant BEN TURNER
styling assistant BETHANY FERNS
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA
