Great Expectations
Canadian actor Rachelle Lefevre plays a character cut off from society in Under the Dome. However, life doesn’t always imitate art. Here Lefevre opens up about putting yourself out there, Hollywood expectations and life on the road.
By Bonnie Siegler • photography by elisabeth caren
achelle Lefevre passes me a spoon. In fact, she passes one to everyone on set. We also each get an individual glass dish filled to the brim with chocolate vegan pudding. Sitting barefoot in the makeup chair, Lefevre ticks off the ingredients for her sweet treat (which includes avocados and sweet potatoes). Tasty and healthy? We’re all instantly won over by both the dessert and its server.
In fact, it’s hard not to be won over by Lefevre – even if she didn’t come bearing treats. Besides being an obvious knockout, her light-up smile has a life of its own as she talks animatedly and laughs out loud at jokes (yours and her own).
The Montreal-born actor is often recognized for her role of Victoria in the Twilight series. She also starred in the Genie-winning movie Barney’s Version, and currently plays Julia Shumway in the hit TV series Under The Dome. Based on the 2009 best-selling Stephen King novel, Lefevre’s Under The Dome character is a fiery local journalist trapped in a fictional town. While the series cuts its characters off from the rest of civilization, it is actually filmed in very real city of Wilmington, North Carolina. While not exactly “under the dome,” shooting in the small port city does take the actor away from her Los Angeles home and friends.
Lefevre says her childhood of always being the new kid on the block helped prepare her for the nomadic acting profession. “I was in a new school every two or three years, and constantly had that feeling of never really fitting in anywhere,” says Lefevre. “It turned out to be amazing because it made me really good at being by myself. Now when I get a new job in a new place, it doesn’t intimidate me. In fact, I’m rather excited.”
For the past two years, Lefevre has travelled between homes in North Carolina and California along with several yearly visits to her native Montreal to visit family and friends. The bilingual actor also credits her nomadic lifestyle with giving her inner strength, something she lacked as a kid. “It’s really helped me be comfortable at being on my own and exploring new places,” says the 35-year-old. “Then, when I go back to Montreal I enjoy hanging out and not doing a lot. The city has a great street life that you don’t see in the States as much.”
Lefevre says that being Canadian has also given her the ability to be humble and take responsibility for herself and her actions. “I’m very quick to apologize, probably partly because I’m Canadian,” she laughs. “I screw up as much as the next person, but I tend to recognize my irritability or my bad mood or whatever right away. I try to be self aware so if I slip up, I immediately say I’m sorry. I think it’s important to acknowledge that to others so they know you’re not dismissing them.”
Fit and Healthy Ideals
“You get to a certain age and it’s almost unavoidable not to list off your flaws. However, I feel really blessed with the number of people in my life who accept me just as I am. I think that’s kind of a miracle, and it makes me insanely happy to think about the people who love me in spite of my flaws.”
When asked whose Hollywood physique she most admires, Lefevre answers Charlize Theron. “I love her height,” says the 5-foot-7 beauty. “Also, she’s fit and looks healthy. I struggle, like any woman, with body image. I sometimes think if I was thinner my career would be different. Still, I’ve never aspired for that emaciated look. When I look at the bodies of say Jennifer Lawrence or Jessica Biel they look like they work out and they eat. That’s ideal to me.”
In fact one of the main outlets for happiness in her life is food. “I love to eat,” says Lefevre. “I mean I’ll never be a size zero; that just sounds too miserable. Food makes me extraordinarily happy. Chocolate is my number one food pleasure.” Crusty French bread topped with salted butter comes in a close second, while mint chip ice cream rounds out her top three. “I can’t buy that ice cream. One time I bought a huge tub of it and within two days it was gone!”
Balanced Eating
Although she tries to eat organic much of the time, Lefevre is the first to admit she’ll delve into a pepperoni and cheese pizza when on set. “I’m a hypocrite and a walking contradiction,” she says. “I will eat just about anything, but as it regards my own moral compass I won’t buy or cook with meat that isn’t ethically raised and organic.” She also prefers locally sourced products, and shuns most dairy because it makes her feel sluggish and bloated. “However I will endure digestive problems for ice cream, chocolate and cheese,” she says.
Nutritional staples in her diet include: coconut creamer for her must-have organic, fair trade coffee, bananas for energy, and avocadoes for good fat. “I buy in bulk to cut down on packaging so I have mason jars full of nuts and organic dried fruit sitting next to jars filled with chocolate bars. Maybe that’s how I live a balanced life.”
Keeping Grounded
Books of poetry and crossword puzzles line the bookshelves and nightstands on both coasts. “I’m a nerd, what can I say?” Poetry and puzzles help the busy actor relax and rejuvenate her mind, body and soul. “I’m very much a city girl, but I love nature too,” says Lefevre. “I have a fantasy that I could go live out on a ranch or in a cabin in the woods, but if I’m really honest with myself I’d probably go mad.”
Instead, a 45-minute drive outside the city limits helps bring her down a few notches, especially if her dog Jack rides along. “We’ll go somewhere quiet and take a long walk. It really does make a difference.”
Lefevre says being a spiritual person has helped in grounding her temperament and individuality. With a Jewish psychologist mother, English teacher father and rabbi for a stepfather, Lefevre says she was brought up in a thinking household, not necessarily a spiritual one. “I was always encouraged to ask questions and to be specific about expressing who I am. The spirituality just kind of happened. I don’t remember it pre-dating any conversations, but I always remember having a sense that there is something else and that it was bigger than me.” VM
What essentials would Rachelle Lefevre want with her under a dome?
1. With my fair complexion sunscreen is a must. Plus my Laura Mercier tinted moisturizer and Rosebud lip balm.
2. My favourite music: Something country like The Dixie Chicks, along with top 40 tunes by Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga.
3. I’d love to have my dog Jack, although I wouldn’t want to trap him with me.
4. Oscar Wilde as a historical figure because he’s funny and irreverent about life. That’s what I’d need – some good old fashioned Oscar Wilde irreverence under the dome.
5. A picnic basket filled with good food.
