IN CONVERSATION WITH SARAH CATHERINE HOOK

interview by JANA LETONJA

Sarah Catherine Hook stars in the Amazon series remake of ‘Cruel Iintentions’, which premiered on 21st November. Next up, she will be seen as one of the new faces in Season 3 of ‘The White Lotus’. Besides being an actress, Sarah Catherine is a classically trained soprano and opera singer.

jacket, trousers, and earrings EMPORIO AMRANI
shoes GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

We’re currently able to watch you in Amazon’s remake series of ‘Cruel Intentions’. How did it feel stepping into such an iconic role, previously played by Sarah Michelle Gellar?

It’s funny, really. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been compared to Reese Witherspoon, so naturally I thought I’d follow in her footsteps. Turns out I’ve been following the footsteps of another three-named “Sarah”. With my vampire show and now this, maybe it was written in the stars. I don’t know, whatever it is, I’m grateful for it and am having a lot of fun.

Have you watched the original prior being cast on the series? How does this series bring something new to the story in your opinion?

Oh, yes. This film triggered some sort of awakening in me, just like the rest of my generation. I think it’s really hard not to compare the two, but truthfully, they are just different. Anyone who watches the first 20 seconds can tell this is not going to be like the film. While the bones of the original story are all there, our interpretations of the characters, the overall tone, the expansion of the story itself, it’s all new.

full look VERSACE

How was it working on this series, this cast and crew? What is your favorite memory or moment from set?

I’ll start by giving the necessary praise. Every single person on this job showed up and gave it their all. I am so proud of the work everyone did and simply adore this group. My favorite moments are all the ones where we couldn’t help ourselves but to burst out laughing. That sounds unprofessional, and it is, but we were allowed to have fun and to mess up. One of our directors, Nick Copus, even said during one of our laughing fits “It’s okay. If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?” And I couldn’t agree more.

How do you approach preparing for such diverse roles across film and TV?

Every job is different and requires a different approach, but I typically start by finding their essence, their tone. That usually comes from having creative conversations with the writers, directors, etc. Once we find the right temperament, I then work on building the mind of the character. The work really comes from asking as many questions possible so I can ultimately define their worldview. For Caroline specifically, I leaned heavily on our showrunners, Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher. They wanted a stillness, a coolness. I’m a very animated, lively person, so in the beginning they continually had to give me the note “Be still”. Eventually, I was able to settle in enough to where I didn’t need reminders, but it helped that I could trust them to tell me if I ever let a Sarah Catherine-ism slip.

dress ALEJANDRA ALONSO ROJAS
earrings CHRISTINA CARUSO

Being a classically trained soprano and opera singer is such a unique background for an actor. How has your musical training influenced your acting career?

First, I will say I have always wanted to be an actor. Since I could form thoughts, I knew I wanted to perform. But because I could sing and was the “singer” in my town, I needed and wanted to train my voice properly. I dedicated pretty much all of my time in high school to preparing for college vocal programs. It was always the plan. I knew then if I took acting classes, did summer training programs, I could do pretty much whatever I wanted. I just needed to get all the training necessary first. I’m greedy and wanted, and still want, to do it all.

Do you see yourself combining your singing talents with your acting in future projects?

Absolutely. That would be a literal dream come true.

blouse, trousers, and cummerbund DOLCE&GABBANA
shoes CASADEI
earrings ERIN FADER

You’ve become quite a rising star in the fashion and beauty space. What is your favorite thing about fashion, and what do you enjoy the most about it?

I’m flattered. It took me a long time to appreciate fashion in the way that I do now. Shopping was always such a miserable and painful experience for me. I didn’t like how I looked in clothes, especially outfits that were “in style”. As I’ve gotten older and healed my relationship with my body, I’ve been introduced to a whole new means of self-expression. Thrifting has become one of my favorite activities and I now find joy in shopping for pieces that accentuate the parts that I love about my body, clothes that really compliment my figure and make me feel beautiful and confident.

With such a busy schedule, how do you stay grounded and recharge between projects?

I turn off social media, call my friends, nourish my body, read my books, and sleep as much as I can.

When you’re not on set, how does your perfect day off set look like?

It depends. When I was filming in Thailand, my castmates and I found a really cool spot called The Health Lab, where you could hang out for $12/day and do circuits of sauna, steam room, cold plunge, CO2 baths, etc. That was our escape and a place to reset after long days, or nights.

sweater and skirt PROENZA SCHOULER
earrings CHRISTINA CARUSO
cuff LILI CLASPE

Next up, we’ll be seeing you in the third season of ‘The White Lotus’. How does it feel to be part of such a critically acclaimed series, and what can you share about your role?

It is as exciting as it is terrifying. My stomach drops anytime I think about it. I really wish I could give you all the details regarding my role, but you’ll just have to wait and see.

What can you share with us about your other upcoming projects?

I finished off the year doing two films, ‘People We Meet on Vacation’ directed by Brett Haley and another that hasn’t been announced quite yet. Two very different films, but both extremely fun and rewarding. I’ll be eager and excited for everyone, including myself, to see those stories come to life. 

TEAM CREDITS:
talent SARAH CATHERINE HOOK
photography ANKA GARBOWSKA
styling TATIANA CINQUINO
makeup MISHA SHAHZADA at A-FRAME AGENCY
hair DAVID VON CANNON at A-FRAME AGENCY
choreography BRIAN PONIATOWSKI
photography assistant LUCA GRIFONE
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA
special thank you to JB PAIN WITH MARYLOU