Taylor Russell
{{Short description|Canadian actress (born 1994)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Taylor Russell
| image = Taylor Russell-64289 (cropped).jpg
| caption = Russell in 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|07|18}}
| birth_place = Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality =
| birth_name = Taylor Russell McKenzie
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 2012–present
}}
Taylor Russell McKenzie (born July 18, 1994) is a Canadian actress and filmmaker.{{Citation |last=Leaf |first=Savanah |title=The Heart Still Hums |date=2020-06-17 |type=Documentary, Short |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12569538/ |access-date=2025-01-19 |publisher=Park Pictures |last2=Russell |first2=Taylor}} After playing a number of minor roles, Russell received recognition for starring in the Netflix science fiction series Lost in Space (2018–2021). She rose to prominence with her roles in the drama film Waves (2019), and the horror film Escape Room (2019) and its 2021 sequel. For starring in the road movie Bones and All (2022), she won the Marcello Mastroianni Award. She performed onstage in the play The Effect from 2023 to 2024. Russell co-directed the 2020 short documentary film The Heart Still Hums, with Savanah Leaf, which was the base for a movie adaptation by Leaf titled Earth Mama (2023).
Early life
Taylor Russell McKenzie was born on July 18, 1994, in the small community of Deep Cove, North Vancouver,{{Cite magazine |last=Mire |first=Muna |date=2023-01-19 |title=Taylor Russell Has Arrived |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/photography/a42466845/taylor-russell-bones-and-all-interview-2023/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar}} located near Vancouver, British Columbia. Russell was raised in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal.{{cite web |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2019/12/02/vancouver-actress-taylor-russell-on-her-surreal-ride-with-waves.html |title=Vancouver actress Taylor Russell on her surreal ride with 'Waves' |last=Ahearn |first=Victoria |work=Toronto Star |date=December 2, 2019 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104202933/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2019/12/02/vancouver-actress-taylor-russell-on-her-surreal-ride-with-waves.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/57553/1/taylor-russell-timothee-chalamet-dazed-winter |title=Taylor Russell: the blossoming of film's most captivating cannibal |last=Garrel |first=Connor |work=Dazed |date=November 30, 2022 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202015402/https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/57553/1/taylor-russell-timothee-chalamet-dazed-winter |url-status=live }} She has an older brother and a younger brother. Russell, who was born to a white mother and a black father, an actor of Jamaican descent, grew up mostly with her mother's side of the family. Her father's parents were in the Windrush generation and moved from Jamaica to England. Her father lived in England until he was seven and then moved to Montreal.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-30 |title=Taylor Russell in conversation with Lucy Prebble |url=https://theface.com/culture/taylor-russell-in-conversation-lucy-prebble-the-effect-play-national-theatre-paapa-essiedu-vol-4-issue-16 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=The Face |language=en-gb}} As a child she would visit her grandparents in Montreal, Quebec. She is from a large family on her father's side. She recalled that growing up she felt unaccepted by her peers due to the color of her skin.{{cite web | author = Wills, Cortney | date = April 16, 2018 | title = Exclusive: Taylor Russell on Bringing #BlackGirlMagic to 'Lost in Space' | work = TheGrio.com | location = Beverly Hill, Calif. | publisher = Entertainment Studios Digital Media | url = https://thegrio.com/2018/04/16/exclusive-taylor-russell-on-bringing-blackgirlmagic-to-lost-in-space/ | access-date = January 23, 2022 | quote = | archive-date = January 31, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200131145612/https://thegrio.com/2018/04/16/exclusive-taylor-russell-on-bringing-blackgirlmagic-to-lost-in-space/ | url-status = live }} Her parents faced financial struggles, leading the family to rely on welfare,{{Cite web |last=Kovan |first=Brianna |date=2019-11-15 |title=Everyone Is Talking About Taylor Russell |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a29797165/taylor-russell-waves-interview/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Elle |archive-date=2022-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128103521/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a29797165/taylor-russell-waves-interview/ |url-status=live }} and they were frequently compelled to relocate, uprooting their lives a total of sixteen times to accommodate her father's professional pursuits. Russell also began working at the age of 13.{{Cite web |last=Garel |first=Connor |date=2022-11-30 |title=Taylor Russell: the blossoming of film's most captivating cannibal |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/57553/1/taylor-russell-timothee-chalamet-dazed-winter |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Dazed Magazine |archive-date=2022-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202015402/https://www.dazeddigital.com/film-tv/article/57553/1/taylor-russell-timothee-chalamet-dazed-winter |url-status=live }} Despite this adversity, Russell mentioned how in her younger years "there was always an opportunity for reinvention, to create something new.”{{cite web |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a29797165/taylor-russell-waves-interview/ |title=Everyone Is Talking about Taylor Russell. |last=Kovan |first=Brianna |work=ELLE |date=November 29, 2021 |access-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-date=November 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128103521/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a29797165/taylor-russell-waves-interview/ |url-status=live }}
As a child, Russell was artistically inclined. She strived to pursue a career in ballet, and later as a painter.{{Cite web |title=Taylor Russell on Being a Night Owl and Fangirling Over Zadie Smith W Magazine |url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JRv6ITc-51A&pp=ygUYdGF5bG9yIHJ1c3NlbGwgaW50ZXJ2aWV3 |access-date=2023-08-18 |website=YouTube | date=9 January 2023 }} At twelve, Russell learned to play the bass guitar and carried it on the bus to school every day. When Russell was thirteen she sang Happy Face by the girl group Destiny's Child in front of her entire school.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRv6ITc-51A |title=Taylor Russell on Being a Night Owl and Fangirling Over Zadie Smith {{!}} W Magazine |language=en |access-date=2024-05-04 |via=www.youtube.com}} At eighteen, Russell took her first acting class, which led her to become interested in pursuing acting. She used her work savings to buy a car, and would drive to Los Angeles to audition. When money ran out, she would return home to work until she had enough earnings to audition again. Some of the jobs that Russell worked were at restaurants, a jewelry store, and a butcher's shop.{{Cite web |last=Wise |first=Damon |date=2022-12-09 |title=Close-Up: How 'Bones And All' Star Taylor Russell Got That Meaty Role In Luca Guadagnino's Cannibal Romance |url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/bones-and-all-taylor-russell-interview-luca-guadagnino-1235190074/ |access-date=2023-07-13 |website=Deadline |archive-date=2023-07-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713093836/https://deadline.com/2022/12/bones-and-all-taylor-russell-interview-luca-guadagnino-1235190074/ |url-status=live }} This routine went on for four years until she landed her first major TV role. While living in Vancouver, she took a $15-an-hour job fulfilling orders at an Amazon warehouse.{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Trey |date=16 January 2020 |title=Taylor Russell: the indie-film breakout for 2020 |url=https://theface.com/culture/taylor-russell-hollywood-actor-netflix-waves-volume-4-issue-002 |access-date=12 June 2024 |website=The Face}} The day before her first shift, she was in a traffic accident and received an $8,000 insurance settlement for her back injury, which she used to move to Los Angeles.
Career
Russell made her professional acting debut in 2012, with a small guest role in an episode of The CW medical drama series Emily Owens, M.D..{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/saved-by-the-bell-movies-taylor-russell-books-recurring-role-on-tnts-falling-skies-exclusive/ |title='Saved by the Bell' Movie's Taylor Russell Books Recurring Role on TNT's 'Falling Skies' (Exclusive) |last=Nededog |first=Jethro |work=TheWrap |date=September 19, 2014 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=November 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181124055011/https://www.thewrap.com/saved-by-the-bell-movies-taylor-russell-books-recurring-role-on-tnts-falling-skies-exclusive/ |url-status=live }} In 2014, she starred as Lark Voorhies in the Lifetime television film The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story,{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2014/tv/reviews/tv-review-the-unauthorized-saved-by-the-bell-story-1201293343/ |title=TV Review: 'The Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story' |last=Lowry |first=Brian |work=Variety |date=September 1, 2014 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123173324/https://variety.com/2014/tv/reviews/tv-review-the-unauthorized-saved-by-the-bell-story-1201293343/ |url-status=live }}{{cite magazine |url=http://ew.com/article/2014/09/02/100-things-that-apparently-happened-as-told-by-the-unauthorized-saved-by-the-bell-story/ |title='Unauthorized Saved by the Bell Story': 100 things that maybe happened |last=Snetiker |first=Marc |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 2, 2014 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123185001/https://ew.com/article/2014/09/02/100-things-that-apparently-happened-as-told-by-the-unauthorized-saved-by-the-bell-story/ |url-status=live }} and Jennifer in the Disney XD television film Pants on Fire.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/movies/pants-on-fire/cast/2030135273/ |title=Pants on Fire - Full Cast & Crew |work=TV Guide |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123173323/https://www.tvguide.com/movies/pants-on-fire/cast/2030135273/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raYsuSaNN7k |title=Pants On Fire - Official Trailer - MarVista Entertainment |work=YouTube |date=April 8, 2015 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123173330/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raYsuSaNN7k |url-status=live }}
Russell made guest appearances in the CBC Television drama series Strange Empire (2015), the TNT science fiction series Falling Skies (2015), and the Freeform supernatural horror series Dead of Summer (2016). She also had roles in the teen drama film Before I Fall (2017) and the supernatural horror film Down a Dark Hall (2018).{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/down-a-dark-hall-movie-adaptation-taylor-russell-annasophia-robb-1201882096/ |title='Down a Dark Hall' Movie Adaptation With AnnaSophia Robb Casts Taylor Russell |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=October 10, 2016 |work=Variety |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213011037/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/down-a-dark-hall-movie-adaptation-taylor-russell-annasophia-robb-1201882096/ |url-status=live }}
File:Taylor Russell (41106812711) (cropped).jpg]]
In 2018, Russell earned recognition for her starring role as Judy Robinson in the science fiction series Lost in Space, a Netflix remake of the original 1965 series, for which she received critical praise and a nomination for the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Presentation.{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2016/09/16/lost-in-space-remake-netflix-taylor-russell-cast-judy-robinson/ |title=Lost in Space: Netflix Remake Casts Falling Skies Alum as Judy Robinson |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |work=TVLine |date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=January 23, 2022 |archive-date=September 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160917085245/http://tvline.com/2016/09/16/lost-in-space-remake-netflix-taylor-russell-cast-judy-robinson/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|date=2019-07-16|title=Saturn Awards 2019 Nominations Led by Avengers: Endgame|url=https://collider.com/saturn-awards-nominations-2019/|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Collider|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716042350/http://collider.com/saturn-awards-nominations-2019/|url-status=live}} Essence magazine stated that she "impresses in her role as a genius medic and doctor, who is compassionate and caring even in the face of danger."{{Cite web|title='Lost In Space' Actress Taylor Russell Dream Casts Idris Elba As Her Onscreen Dad, Talks Surviving In Space|url=https://www.essence.com/celebrity/taylor-russell-lost-in-space-interview/|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Essence|date=24 October 2020 |language=en-US|archive-date=2022-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129062653/https://www.essence.com/celebrity/taylor-russell-lost-in-space-interview/|url-status=live}} The series concluded in December 2021, after three seasons.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/lost-in-space-season-3-netflix-premiere-date-first-look-photos-1234851888/ |title='Lost In Space' Season 3: Netflix Reveals Premiere Date & First Look Photos |website=Deadline Hollywood |first=Rosty |last=Cordero |date=October 7, 2021 |access-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022032025/https://deadline.com/2021/10/lost-in-space-season-3-netflix-premiere-date-first-look-photos-1234851888/ |url-status=live }} On her ability to represent Black women in a science fiction series, Russell stated, "I know there are not a lot of women of color who are in the sci-fi genre and I feel really lucky that they chose me to hold that position on our show ... It's a huge honor for me and I don't take it lightly. It holds a really big place in my heart."
In 2019, Russell had her film breakthrough with the leading role of Zoey Davis in the psychological horror film Escape Room, which was a major commercial success,{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2019-01-13|title=Why Kevin Hart's Oscar Host Noise Didn't Upset 'The Upside' At B.O.: STX Posts First No. 1 Opener With $19.5M+|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/kevin-hart-the-upside-aquaman-keanu-reeves-replicas-dogs-way-home-weekend-box-office-1202533526/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-11-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231145/https://deadline.com/2019/01/kevin-hart-the-upside-aquaman-keanu-reeves-replicas-dogs-way-home-weekend-box-office-1202533526/|url-status=live}} surpassing initial expectations and grossing $155.7 million.{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2019-01-06|title='Aquaman's $940M+ Global Muscle Bests 'Batman V. Superman' & 'Wonder Woman'; 'Escape Room' Packs $18M Stateside – Sunday Update|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/aquaman-escape-room-weekend-box-office-first-weekend-2019-1202529013/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190104231103/https://deadline.com/2019/01/aquaman-escape-room-weekend-box-office-first-weekend-2019-1202529013/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Escape Room|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2852423169/|access-date=2022-01-09|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=2022-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109030850/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2852423169/|url-status=live}} Also in 2019, Russell garnered critical acclaim for her starring role in the drama film Waves, which was released by A24 Films on November 15, 2019.{{cite web | author = Yamato, Jen | date = November 18, 2019 | title = Let 'Waves' Duo Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Taylor Russell Break Your Heart and Piece It Back Together | work = LATimes.com | url = https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-18/waves-kelvin-harrison-jr-taylor-russell | access-date = January 23, 2022 | archive-date = November 19, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191119041514/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-18/waves-kelvin-harrison-jr-taylor-russell | url-status = live }} IndieWire website dubbed her performance a "revelation",{{Cite web|last=Erbland|first=Kate|date=2019-11-14|title='Waves': Why Taylor Russell Is One of Oscar Season's Biggest Revelations|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/waves-taylor-russell-oscar-season-breakout-1202189117/|access-date=2022-01-29|website=IndieWire|language=en|archive-date=2022-01-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129062653/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/11/waves-taylor-russell-oscar-season-breakout-1202189117/|url-status=live}} going on to write that "While Waves is filled with excellent performances from its stacked cast, it's Russell that makes off with its most spectacular turn." The Los Angeles Times called her and her co-star Kelvin Harrison Jr. "two of the fastest-rising stars of their generation."{{Cite web|date=2019-11-18|title=Let 'Waves' duo Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Taylor Russell break your heart and piece it back together|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-18/waves-kelvin-harrison-jr-taylor-russell|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-11-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119041514/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-18/waves-kelvin-harrison-jr-taylor-russell|url-status=live}} For her performance in the film, Russell received the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer and the Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, among several others.{{cite web | author=THR Staff | date=December 2, 2019 | title='Marriage Story' Sweeps Gotham Awards; Full Winners List | work=HollywoodReporter.com | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/gotham-award-winners-2019-list-full-1258785 | access-date=January 23, 2022 | quote= | archive-date=December 3, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203091732/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/gotham-award-winners-2019-list-full-1258785 | url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/awkwafina-taron-egerton-florence-pugh-taylor-russell-santa-barbara-1203374926/ |title=Awkwafina, Taron Egerton Get Santa Barbara Fest Salute |last=Gray |first=Tim |date=October 18, 2019 |work=Variety |access-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=December 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212000951/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/awkwafina-taron-egerton-florence-pugh-taylor-russell-santa-barbara-1203374926/ |url-status=live }}
Russell starred in Thor Freudenthal's romantic drama Words on Bathroom Walls (2020), alongside Charlie Plummer, Andy Garcia, and AnnaSophia Robb, which earned positive responses both from critics and audiences (89 and 94% "fresh", respectively, as of January 2022).{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=words_on_bathroom_walls |type= movie |season= |episode= |title=Words on Bathroom Walls |access-date= January 23, 2022 |archive-url= |archive-date= |mode= |publisher_hide= }} She also co-directed, wrote, and produced the documentary short film The Heart Still Hums, which earned acclaim and numerous awards, including the Palm Springs International ShortFest Award for Best Documentary Short.{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/news/taylor-russell-waves-documentary-1203504472/ |title='Waves' Star Taylor Russell to Make Directorial Debut With Documentary Short |last=Malkin |first=Marc |date=February 14, 2020 |work=Variety |access-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107213505/https://variety.com/2020/film/news/taylor-russell-waves-documentary-1203504472/ |url-status=live }}
In 2021, Russell starred in the comedy-drama film Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets, and reprised the role of Zoey Davis in the Escape Room sequel Escape Room: Tournament of Champions,{{cite web|last=Clarke|first=Cath|date=June 18, 2021|title=Dr Bird's Advice for Sad Poets review – quirky teenage hero gets life lessons from a pigeon|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/15/dr-birds-advice-for-sad-poets-review-pigeonholes-the-quirky-teenage-hero|work=The Guardian|access-date=July 16, 2021|archive-date=July 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717032343/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jun/15/dr-birds-advice-for-sad-poets-review-pigeonholes-the-quirky-teenage-hero|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=N'Duka|first=Amanda|date=October 18, 2019|title=Escape Room 2: Sony Sets Lead Cast for Sequel|url=https://deadline.com/2019/10/escape-room-2-holland-roden-indya-moore-cast-sony-sequel-1202763263/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228031250/https://deadline.com/2019/10/escape-room-2-holland-roden-indya-moore-cast-sony-sequel-1202763263/|archive-date=December 28, 2019|access-date=January 7, 2022|work=Deadline Hollywood}} which grossed $65.8 million.{{Cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|date=2021-07-25|title=Box Office Drops With 'Old', 'Snake Eyes', 'Black Widow' & 'Space Jam 2': But Is Delta Variant Or Dynamic Windows To Blame? – Update|url=https://deadline.com/2021/07/snake-eyes-old-m-night-shyamalan-weekend-box-office-1234798883/|access-date=2022-01-29|website=Deadline|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-07-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725093706/https://deadline.com/2021/07/snake-eyes-old-m-night-shyamalan-weekend-box-office-1234798883/|url-status=live}} Russell directed part of the music video for her Waves co-star Alexa Demie's "Leopard Limo (Archive LL11)", which also features her voice.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIPAz0rGzag |title=Alexa Demie - Leopard Limo (Archive LL11) Official Video |website=YouTube |date=12 September 2021 |access-date=2022-12-18 |archive-date=2022-12-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218012725/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIPAz0rGzag |url-status=live }} The following year, Russell starred alongside Timothée Chalamet in the romance horror film Bones and All, directed by Luca Guadagnino.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/timothee-chalamet-taylor-russell-luca-guadagninos-bones-all-1234682626/|title=Hot Package: Luca Guadagnino Eyes New Project 'Bones & All' With Timothée Chalamet And Taylor Russell Circling Lead Roles|first1=Justin|last1=Kroll|date=January 28, 2021|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128200045/https://deadline.com/2021/01/timothee-chalamet-taylor-russell-luca-guadagninos-bones-all-1234682626/|url-status=live}} The film premiered at the 79th Venice Film Festival on September 2 to positive reviews.{{Citation |title=Bones and All |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bones_and_all |language=en |access-date=2022-09-02 |archive-date=2022-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912232211/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bones_and_all |url-status=live }} Russell's performance in the film earned her widespread critical acclaim and the Marcello Mastroianni Award.{{Citation |title=Bones and All |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bones_and_all |language=en |access-date=2022-09-04 |archive-date=2022-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912232211/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bones_and_all |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2022-09-02 |title='Bones & All' Review: Chalamet Seduces, but a New Star Is Born in Cannibal Romance |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/09/bones-and-all-review-timothee-chalamet-cannibal-taylor-russell-1234757882/ |access-date=2022-09-02 |website=IndieWire |archive-date=2022-09-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929220140/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/09/bones-and-all-review-timothee-chalamet-cannibal-taylor-russell-1234757882/ |url-status=live }}
In 2023, Russell began starring as Connie in the play The Effect by Lucy Prebble at the Royal National Theatre in London.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-18 |title=Taylor Russell and Paapa Essiedu on Starring in Lucy Prebble's War Cry of a Play, 'The Effect' |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/the-effect-taylor-russell-paapa-essiedu-interview |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802075515/https://www.vogue.com/article/the-effect-taylor-russell-paapa-essiedu-interview |url-status=live }} The play transferred to The Shed in New York City in March 2024{{Cite web |date=2023-12-11 |title=The Effect with Paapa Essiedu and Taylor Russell to transfer to New York |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/the-effect-with-paapa-essiedu-and-taylor-russell-to-transfer-to-new-york_1557815/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |language=en-US}} and received widespread critical acclaim across both regions. The play was nominated for Best Revival at The Laurence Olivier Awards{{Cite news |date=2024-03-12 |title=Olivier awards 2024: complete list of nominations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2024/mar/12/olivier-awards-2024-complete-list-of-nominations |access-date=2024-04-12 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} and Russell was nominated for her role at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards{{Cite web |date=2023-10-19 |title=The 2023 Evening Standard Theatre Awards shortlist in full |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-2023-shortlist-in-full-b1114172.html |access-date=2024-04-12 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=2023-12-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231210191824/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/theatre/evening-standard-theatre-awards-2023-shortlist-in-full-b1114172.html |url-status=live }} and the WhatsOnStage Awards.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-07 |title=Nominations in full: 24th Annual WhatsOnStage Awards |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/nominations-in-full-24th-annual-whatsonstage-awards_1554633/ |access-date=2024-04-12 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-12-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207200940/https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/nominations-in-full-24th-annual-whatsonstage-awards_1554633/ |url-status=live }}
Russell starred in the comedy film Mother, Couch opposite Ewan McGregor which premiered at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).{{Cite web |last=Hopewell |first=John |date=2023-07-31 |title=Charades, UTA Board 'Mother, Couch' With Taylor Russell, Ewan McGregor (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/taylor-russell-ewan-mcgregor-lake-bell-1235683422/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Variety |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802021559/https://variety.com/2023/film/global/taylor-russell-ewan-mcgregor-lake-bell-1235683422/ |url-status=live }} She is set to appear in the thriller Hope, from director Na Hong-jin, alongside HoYeon Jung, Michael Fassbender and Alicia Vikander.{{Cite web |last=Wiseman |first=Andreas |date=2023-04-04 |title=Taylor Russell Joins Hoyeon, Michael Fassbender & Alicia Vikander In Korean Thriller 'Hope' |url=https://deadline.com/2023/04/taylor-russell-hoyeon-michael-fassbender-alicia-vikander-korean-movie-hope-1235317419/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Deadline |archive-date=2023-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230520000327/https://deadline.com/2023/04/taylor-russell-hoyeon-michael-fassbender-alicia-vikander-korean-movie-hope-1235317419/ |url-status=live }} In July 2024 it was announced she would join the Luigi de Laurentiis jury panel for Best First Work at the 81st edition of the Venice Film Festival.{{Cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=2024-07-20 |title='Winter's Bone' Director Debra Granik to Head Venice Horizons Jury, Taylor Russell Joins First Works Jury Panel |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/winters-bone-debra-granik-head-venice-horizons-jury-taylor-russell-1236079097/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
= The Heart Still Hums =
The Heart Still Hums is a British-American short documentary film directed by Taylor Russell and Savanah Leaf. It was released on June 17, 2020, by Searchlight Pictures. The film follows five woman who are victim to drug addiction, homelessness and neglect as they fight for their children. In 2021, it was opted for a feature-film adaptation that would reportedly have Leaf act as the writer/director.
Media image
{{promotional section|date=September 2024}}
Russell made her modeling debut opening the SS23 Loewe show in 2022.{{Cite web|date=2022-09-30|title=Loewe Spring 2023 Ready-to-Wear Collection|url=https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2023-ready-to-wear/loewe|access-date=2022-10-01|website=Vogue Runway|archive-date=2022-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930235338/https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2023-ready-to-wear/loewe|url-status=live}} Creative director of the Spanish luxury brand Jonathan Anderson chose Russell after meeting her through mutual friend Luca Guadagnino. Anderson said of the decision: "It was the start of a very special friendship and I just thought, she has to open the show. I'm so proud she agreed."{{Cite web|date=2022-09-30|title=Loewe on Instagram|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CjIcLZfMy2W/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=|access-date=2022-10-01|website=Instagram|archive-date=2022-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930235339/https://www.instagram.com/p/CjIcLZfMy2W/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=|url-status=live}} In November 2022, she was named a Loewe Global Ambassador.{{Cite web |last=Molinos |first=Paloma |date=2022-11-02 |title=Taylor Russell is LOEWE's new Global Ambassador |url=https://highxtar.com/taylor-russell-is-loewes-new-global-ambassador/?lang=en |access-date=2022-11-02 |website=HIGHXTAR. |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102152644/https://highxtar.com/taylor-russell-is-loewes-new-global-ambassador/?lang=en |url-status=live }} Russell has modeled in campaigns for Loewe,{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2023-02-16 |title=Taylor Russell is the Face of LOEWE Spring Summer 2023 Collection |url=https://www.designscene.net/2023/02/taylor-russell-loewe-ss23.html |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=DSCENE |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802082139/https://www.designscene.net/2023/02/taylor-russell-loewe-ss23.html |url-status=live }} Chanel,{{Cite web |last=Parris |first=Naomi |date=2022-11-28 |title=Taylor Russell in the Chanel Front Row at Paris Fashion Week |url=https://www.popsugar.com/node/49021378 |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=POPSUGAR Fashion |language=en-US}} BYRDIE,{{Cite web |title=Taylor Russell Is the Quiet New Force of Hollywood's Future |url=https://www.byrdie.com/taylor-russell-interview-5076528 |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=Byrdie |language=en |archive-date=2023-08-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802082139/https://www.byrdie.com/taylor-russell-interview-5076528 |url-status=live }} and Prada.{{Cite web |last=Gardner |first=Chris |date=2021-11-05 |title=Prada Recruits Julia Garner, Shira Haas, Louis Partridge and Taylor Russell for Holiday Campaign |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/style/prada-holiday-campaign-hollywood-short-film-1235042890/ |access-date=2023-08-02 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} She has appeared in the magazines V, W, Fantastic Man, HommeGirls, Vogue, Dazed, Harper's Bazaar, The Face, The New York Times and Vogue Italia.{{Cite web |title=Taylor Russell - Actor |url=https://models.com/people/taylor-russell |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=Models.com |archive-date=2 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802082144/https://models.com/people/taylor-russell |url-status=live }} Following her red-carpet appearances on the Bones and All press tour, Vogue hailed her a "bold style renegade", writing "she’s in a total fashion league of her own, choosing unique looks that stray from the glitzy status quo."{{Cite web |last=Allaire |first=Christian |title=Taylor Russell Is Hollywood's Boldest New Red Carpet Risk-Taker |url=https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/taylor-russell-red-carpet-risktaker-style |access-date=2022-11-16 |website=Vogue |date=15 November 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221116042355/https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/taylor-russell-red-carpet-risktaker-style |url-status=live }} Russell graced the cover of Vogue for the first time in the March 2024 issue of Vogue Italia by Paolo Roversi, and stated "I love Vogue Italia, it is such an example of pure creativity. I've never been able to look at one of its covers without being fascinated by it."{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=Taylor Russell diventa il soggetto del desiderio sulla cover di Vogue Italia: "Avere la facoltà di scegliere è il più grande privilegio" |url=https://www.vogue.it/article/taylor-russell-intervista-vogue-italia-cover-paolo-roversi |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Vogue Italia |language=it-IT |archive-date=2024-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507131453/https://www.vogue.it/article/taylor-russell-intervista-vogue-italia-cover-paolo-roversi |url-status=live }}
Russell made her Met Gala debut in 2024 as part of the Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion exhibition and received overwhelming acclaim from Vogue, Elle, and Harper's Bazaar, who described her as "Hollywood's newest It girl"{{Cite magazine |date=2024-05-06 |title=Taylor Russell Nails the 2024 Met Gala Dress Code With a Painted Wooden Corset |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a60662878/taylor-russell-red-carpet-photos-met-gala-2024/ |access-date=2024-05-07 |magazine=Harper's BAZAAR |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506232035/https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/a60662878/taylor-russell-red-carpet-photos-met-gala-2024/ |url-status=live }} and her debut "long awaited".{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=Taylor Russell Made Her Long-Awaited Debut at the 2024 Met Gala |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-russell-2024-met-gala |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506233647/https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-russell-2024-met-gala |url-status=live }} Speaking to Vogue, Russell was labelled a muse for Jonathan Anderson, who said: “When we work together it’s always an incredible creative dialogue – she is an amazing collaborator and a very special friend."{{Cite web |date=2024-05-06 |title=Taylor Russell Made Her Long-Awaited Debut at the 2024 Met Gala |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-russell-2024-met-gala |access-date=2024-05-07 |website=Vogue |language=en-US |archive-date=2024-05-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506233647/https://www.vogue.com/article/taylor-russell-2024-met-gala |url-status=live }}
Stars like Nicola Coughlan, India Amarteifio and Simone Ashley have all cited Russell as their style inspiration.{{Cite web |date=7 June 2024 |title=Bridgerton's Luke Newton and Nicola Coughlan Text Their Fans {{!}} Etalk |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KU7joWPmpEY&ab_channel=Etalk |access-date=12 June 2024 |website=Youtube}}{{Cite magazine |last=Alexander |first=Ella |date=1 February 2024 |title=Secrets of the Stylish: Simone Ashley |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/a46594531/secrets-of-the-stylish-simone-ashley/ |access-date=12 June 2024 |magazine=Harper's Bazaar}}{{Cite web |last=Almandoz |first=Blanca de |date=2023-11-01 |title=India Amarteifio: "Hemos heredado los traumas de las generaciones anteriores" |url=https://www.glamour.es/articulos/india-amarteifio-entrevista |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=Glamour España |language=es-ES}} Singer Rihanna stated she would like Russell to play her in a biopic of her life and that she wants to be her.{{Cite web |date=12 June 2024 |title=Rihanna Has the BEST Reaction to Baby No. 3 Rumors (Exclusive) {{!}} E! News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUY0PhRtZr0&t=78s&ab_channel=E%21News |access-date=12 June 2024 |website=Youtube}}
Personal life
Russell currently lives between New York and London.{{Cite web |last=Acharya |first=Dipal |date=2023-11-23 |title=The Effect's Taylor Russell on her London stage debut |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/the-effect-taylor-russell-london-stage-debut-b1122030.html |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=2024-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240512200331/https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/the-effect-taylor-russell-london-stage-debut-b1122030.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-30 |title=Taylor Russell in conversation with Lucy Prebble |url=https://theface.com/culture/taylor-russell-in-conversation-lucy-prebble-the-effect-play-national-theatre-paapa-essiedu-vol-4-issue-16 |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=The Face |language=en-gb}} She is a fan of Patti Smith and has a small lightning bolt tattooed on her inner wrist, emulating the one Smith has on her knee. She called Smith "one of her heroes" and has read Smith's memoir Just Kids around 10 times.{{Cite web |date=2019-11-15 |title=Everyone Is Talking About Taylor Russell |url=https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a29797165/taylor-russell-waves-interview/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=ELLE |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128103521/https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a29797165/taylor-russell-waves-interview/ |url-status=live }} Russell rented a harp during the COVID-19 lockdowns in New York and learned to play the instrument through virtual lessons.{{Cite magazine |date=2023-01-19 |title=Taylor Russell Has Arrived |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/fashion/photography/a42466845/taylor-russell-bones-and-all-interview-2023/ |access-date=2024-05-08 |magazine=Harper's BAZAAR |language=en-US}} Russell is trained in ballet and dances for 15 minutes every morning after waking up.{{Cite web |title=Actress Taylor Russell Talks Her Upcoming Film, Waves - Coveteur: Inside Closets, Fashion, Beauty, Health, and Travel |url=https://coveteur.com/2019/09/10/actress-taylor-russell-talks-upcoming-film-waves/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=coveteur.com |language=en |archive-date=2024-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510130239/https://coveteur.com/2019/09/10/actress-taylor-russell-talks-upcoming-film-waves/ |url-status=live }} Her favorite book is By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart.{{Cite web |title=Actress Taylor Russell Talks Her Upcoming Film, Waves - Coveteur: Inside Closets, Fashion, Beauty, Health, and Travel |url=https://coveteur.com/2019/09/10/actress-taylor-russell-talks-upcoming-film-waves/ |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=coveteur.com |language=en}} From June 2023 to May 2024, Russell dated English singer Harry Styles.{{Cite web |title=How Harry Styles and Taylor Russell Are Getting 'Serious': Inside Their 'Private' Romance (Exclusive Source) |url=https://people.com/harry-styles-taylor-russell-getting-serious-source-8643324 |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=Peoplemag |language=en |archive-date=2024-05-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510050353/https://people.com/harry-styles-taylor-russell-getting-serious-source-8643324 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-19 |title=Harry Styles and Taylor Russell Play It-Bag Buckaroo |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/harry-styles-taylor-russell-couple-style-it-bags-the-row-loewe |access-date=2024-05-10 |website=British Vogue |language=en-GB |archive-date=2024-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509143303/https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/harry-styles-taylor-russell-couple-style-it-bags-the-row-loewe |url-status=live }}{{Cite magazine |date=2024-03-26 |title=Under a Harsh Spotlight, Taylor Russell Is Thriving |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/taylor-russell-the-effect-interview |access-date=2024-05-10 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en-US}}
Filmography
=Film=
=Television=
=Stage=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
!Title !Role !class="unsortable" | Venue |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2023–2024
| rowspan="2" data-sort-value="Effect, The" | The Effect | rowspan="2" | Connie | Lyttelton Theatre, London |
| The Shed, Off-Broadway |
= Filmmaking credits =
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Title !Director !Writer !Producer !Notes |
| 2020
|The Heart Still Hums |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |{{yes}} |Short film |
| 2021
|Leopard Limo (Archive LL11) Official Video |{{yes}} |{{no}} |{{no}} |Music video for Alexa Demie |
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|5347988}}
{{Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor}}
{{Marcello Mastroianni Award}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Russell, Taylor}}
Category:21st-century Canadian actresses
Category:Actresses from Vancouver
Category:Black Canadian actresses
Category:Canadian film actresses
Category:Canadian television actresses