"Elle Fanning"
Elle Fanning discusses her career journey from childhood actor to producer, sharing stories about growing up with sister Dakota in the entertainment industry and her current projects including the Oscar-nominated 'Sentimental Value' and upcoming Apple TV+ series 'Margot's Got Money Troubles.'
Summary
In this SmartLess podcast interview, Elle Fanning opens up about her unique childhood and career trajectory alongside her sister Dakota Fanning. Born during a tornado warning in Georgia, Elle moved to LA at age three when Dakota began acting. She explains how she often played younger versions of her sister in films like 'I Am Sam' before establishing her own identity as an actor. Elle discusses the balance of having a 'normal' childhood while working in Hollywood, including being homeschooled by her grandmother until fourth grade and later attending private school in LA. She reflects on pivotal career moments, particularly 'The Neon Demon' at age 17, which she fought for as her first truly independent choice. Elle shares insights about playing Catherine the Great in 'The Great' series, which she says most closely reflects her true personality and helped her transition into adulthood on screen. She discusses her evolution from child actor to producer, emphasizing how her extensive set experience from age two gives her legitimate authority in production decisions. Elle reveals excitement about upcoming projects, including her first adult collaboration with Dakota in 'The Nightingale,' a WWII resistance story, and her Apple TV+ series 'Margot's Got Money Troubles' with Michelle Pfeiffer and Nicole Kidman, which she developed from book to screen. The conversation also touches on her relationship with boyfriend Gus, her love of reality TV (particularly 'Traitors'), and her interests in painting and creative pursuits.
About this episode
Tornado-warning: it’s Elle Fanning. The Number 5, Imagination vs. Reality, the Power, and a real-life baby. We all love each other, blah blah blah… on another gorgeously fresh new epiz of SmartLess.
Key Insights
- Elle was born during a tornado warning in Georgia, with Dakota sleeping on a hospital cot during the birth
- She frequently played younger versions of Dakota in early roles because she was already on set and looked similar
- Their parents were both athletes who expected the sisters to pursue sports, but their fair skin made outdoor activities difficult
- Elle was homeschooled by her grandmother until fourth grade while Dakota was homeschooled until ninth grade
- She identifies 'The Neon Demon' at age 17 as the first role she truly fought for and chose independently
- Playing Catherine the Great in 'The Great' over six years (ages 19-25) most closely reflects her actual personality
- She argues that her extensive set experience since age two gives her legitimate authority in production decisions without apology
- Elle and Dakota will appear together as adults for the first time in 'The Nightingale,' a WWII French resistance story
- She developed 'Margot's Got Money Troubles' from book to screen, reading it before publication and assembling the team
- Elle talks to Dakota every single day and they live close to each other despite working very differently on set
- She admits to being 'not great at organizing' personal time but her boyfriend Gus helps ground her and plan non-work activities
- Elle loves the number five and planned major life events around ages ending in five because she considers it perfectly balanced
Topics
Transcript
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