Aggy K Adams, emerging bold actress

Catching up with Aggy over a relaxed breakfast and coffee, while pouring out her ups and downs about work, made me realise how hectic her lifestyle is and yet she still had that glamorous awe, having been to Bafta Awards Red Carpet the previous night. 

Aggy is young, talented and definitely kicking her way forward to progress her beautiful career in a new generation of women and philosophy. Black is definitely her favourite colour. Whether she is wearing a designer coat or some hip boots, with her flowy twist, there is always something about her presence, almost like you know she is destined for amazing things. Cliche’, I know. 

F: When did you decide to become an actress? 

A: First time it came into my head as a dream, was when I saw Natalie Portman in Leon, I was about eight years old. I had no idea what it meant to be an actress, but I knew I wanted to be like her. Then I did bits and bobs towards that direction but the conscious decision to pursue this as a profession came only about five years ago.  

Aggy at Seabird’s rooftop. Photography by Nic Roques. Make-up by Emily Dodds,

F: What film made a significant impact in your life?

A: Shawshank Redemption, Good Will Hunting, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Swedish version), Lost in Translation, Rust and Bone, Million Dollar Baby, Boys Don’t Cry… So many… Films are my rescue buoys.

F: If you weren’t an actress, what other job would you be doing? 

A: When I was at high school I thought of being a humanitarian lawyer and help with the injustices in the world, but I couldn’t see myself sitting in the library for years, it definitely wasn’t in my nature. Then I thought a housewife but… 

F: The acting world can be filled with rejections and work can come and go. How do you cope with this and how do you safeguard your mental wellbeing? 

A: It’s hard to deal with such big ups and downs. It’s important to have a very strong sense of yourself to not take anything personally and keep going, keep creating. It’s very easy to get affected; I find talking about it with fellow artists who go through the same process helps and having a strong support network. Anything that helps you find that sense of grounding, your core. Also exercise, eating healthy and trying to make good choices for yourself everyday.

F: Being a woman, and an actress, have you ever experienced any challenges in your work because of your gender?

A: I have but on set and in auditions I always chose to focus just on work and creating and that made me feel better and more confident. Of course I have experienced from male directors disrespecting behaviour such as hitting on me, or controlling me by belittling me, or putting me down or shutting me off or ignoring me to make me feel like I’m doing something wrong. It still happens but the older I get, the less I am willing to tolerate it. 

F: Actor or actress ? How should a woman actress be called? A lot of controversy in this topic. 

A: I personally don’t mind. I think if it empowers an actress to be called “actress” then she should go for it. I am proud to be a working actor/actress and even prouder to be a woman. I asked my friend's advice and what he thought and he said to call myself “a moving picture lady” so that is what I will call myself. 

F: After performing an intense/dramatic role  on set, how do you get back to your “normal “ life? Yoga? meditation? Is the switch difficult?

A: Yes it’s difficult. I always feel a bit down after very intense times where I am constantly giving. I then need to recharge my batteries. Travelling, good food, yoga, running, swimming, watching movies, massage, music… After giving a lot, you have to give yourself back. 

F: Any piece of advice for women starting their careers in the acting world?  

A: Find out who you are and hold onto that at all cost. That is your gold. You have to have extensive knowledge of yourself to know which buttons to press for which scenes and tones. I am still learning and finding that out. I look up to actresses like Meryl Streep and Cate Blanchett – they know !!   

F: What’s next? 

A: I am preparing to shoot a film in France from the Agatha Christie series set in the 70s. It’s called La Chambre Noir / The Black Room directed by Nicolas Picard-Dreyfuss. Also at the same time, I will film an artistic short film in Paris Doors of Perception about love, art and existence with Mara Stellwood. We are going to shoot at Musee d’Orsay, which I am very excited about! 

From featuring in debut Netflix film Oh Ramona, directed by Cristina Jacob to staring in independent and short films, alongside high-end commercials like Ferrero Rocher, Lexus, Audi or Orange, Aggy’s work reflects variety and somewhat bohemian approach to life. She is now trying to figure out how she could divide her time to live in two places at once, both London and Paris, combining filming and auditions. She is set to film three independent feature films this year, as well as the French film. What’s the biggest challenge for her? “Creating structure and being well organized to make sure I can fulfill all the commitments, it’s time to grow up”, she says

Special thanks to Seabird (Hoxton Hotel in Southwark, London).

Credits: All photography by Nic Roques. All make-up by Emily Dodds.