Portraits

Souheila Yacoub Steps into Hollywood

Formidable both in comedy, recently in Making-Of by Cédric Kahn, and in tense geo-political series, with No Man's Land, the second season of which is looming, actress Souheila Yacoub, ambassador of the House of Dior, will be coming to the screen this spring with the highly anticipated Dune 2.

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Photography: Emma Panchot

Styling: Jennifer Eymère

LO: What does this role as ambassador of the House of Dior mean to you? 

Souheila Yacoub: I am happy to be part of a prestigious and elegant French house. Fashion has always been quite linked to cinema, and I am flattered that this House supports me, very beautiful people work there. I was recently at the fashion show in Mexico, it was crazy, I was welcomed like a queen. I had the chance to chat a little with Maria Grazia Chiuri (artistic director of Dior femme since 2016, editor's note ).

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LO: Do you have any favourite products?

SY: Not really because each collection is different and each time it is an immense pleasure to discover new materials, new cuts, with exceptional know-how. I like sets and slightly masculine cuts as much as couture dresses. I love that Dior has both a punk side and a princess side. There is something for all tastes, all body types. Dior loves Women. All the women. The main thing is to feel good and in tune with the clothing you are wearing, and this is the case every time I have the chance to wear Maria Grazia's creations.

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LO: What have you learned from your years competing as a gymnast?

SY: The hatred of competition, including when it comes to getting a role, even if it is close to my heart. Jealousy and comparisons hurt me. Even at the time, I didn't like it, I preferred everything that involved the collective. I love working in a group, making each voice count on its own level. On the more positive side, I learned punctuality! and also the behavior of the body, to know mine. I often approach roles through the body, which has been my main tool for years – even if I don't suffer anywhere near as much in cinema or theater as I did as a gymnast. In No Man's Land , where my role is physical, I find certain reflexes. I also know how to manage stress, after having competed in so many very high level competitions. In 2012, when I left the Swiss national team, I was approached by Cirque du Soleil, but as I had left my family around the age of 12-13 to go live with the national team , I had no diploma, no more friends. I was in a bubble, with fifty hours of sport per week. My evening pleasure was watching making-ofs and filming bloopers. I was very unhappy. Me, who was asked to be an expressionless robot, to see these people so happy to do this job, to talk about their emotions, made me want so much... I had to readjust. It was hard. I went to a dance school in Switzerland, and one hour a week there was a theater class, I loved it. I understood that I had to start a new life elsewhere, and I left for Paris at the age of 20. I hadn't experienced anything yet, really, I couldn't imagine life after sport. A scholarship via two foundations to go to Cours Florent, and there I met my best friends, and a new story began. I walked the streets, everything seemed magical to me. I felt free!

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LO: You starred in the miniseries Les Sauvages, by Rebecca Zlotowski, and the series No Man's Land. As an actress, is it more enjoyable to develop a character over time? 

SY: In the first season of No Man's Land I didn't have the first role, but I will be more forward in the second (broadcast to come on Arte, editor's note ), where we have more time to stretch the role, to give it more depth, of complexity.

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LO: Do we prepare in the same way for a comedy, like Making-Of by Cédric Kahn, as for the filming of Dune 2 by Denis Villeneuve ?

SY: I really liked my character in Making-Of, and I relished the opportunity to work with actors that I admire, like Jonathan Cohen, a genius of comedy and improv, or Denis Podalydès, an actor extraordinary. On the set of Dune 2, I felt like I was in DisneyLand! It was fascinating, with stars in their fields, Oscar-winning cinematographers and sound engineers. On my first day of filming, I was facing Timothée Chalamet , Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem and Zendaya ... I also had the pressure of having been chosen directly by Denis Villeneuve, without going through casting or readings. I couldn't believe it!

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LO: When you read a script, you look for something that resembles you in the character that is offered to you, or on the contrary something very distant ?

SY: As far away from me as possible! Especially today. I have lots of projects coming up, all very different from each other. I would love to make a period film, at the Conservatory I worked on the greatest classics, and I love this language. I want to go for things that are a little crazy, funny, burlesque, sentimental. I've already been seen in, let's say, somewhat social registers, I loved it and don't regret anything, but I need to go where I'm not expected. I want to play Joan of Arc more than Cleopatra!

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LO: Your Instagram account has a large following, how do you manage it?

SY: As a promotional tool. Social media today scares me. I feel better since I've been going on it less.

LO: Looking back, what are your best memories? 

SY: At Cours Florent, when I started working on scenes at home with other students, I knew I was in my place. I just made my first short film with a friend, and I loved this creative experience. And then also when I arrived on the set of Dune 2, I was stunned by everything, the dressing rooms, the hangars with the thousands of costumes… it's an extraordinary job!

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HAIR: Rudy Marmet @ CALLMYAGENT

DIOR BEAUTY: Ruby Mazuel @ CALLMYAGENT

STYLING: Kenzia Bengel de Vaulx

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