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Initially quiet and reserved, Devon Ross gradually reveals her vast artistic world. We connect with her via video call. Ross seems serene, vaping and surrounded by guitars in what looks like a music studio. She embodies a laid-back coolness that seems to flow in her veins—after all, she is the daughter of Crag David Ross, Lenny Kravitz’s lead guitarist, and former model Anna Bauer. Furthermore, her upbringing split between the shores of The Bahamas, the artistic vibe of Woodstock, and the never-ending energy of Los Angeles, has undoubtedly played a role in shaping her unique style. The more we talk, the more it is clear that her artistic journey has only just begun.
As a model, Ross has graced the catwalk of Valentino, landed a Gucci campaign, and more recently became a “friend of the house” of Louis Vuitton. Beyond modelling, Ross is a talented musician and actress. Last year, she launched her debut EP, Oxford Gardens and starred in the thriller Depravity, where she plays the role of Aria. We have also seen her alongside Alicia Vikander in the drama mini-series Irma Vep, and more recently in My First Film by Zia Anger. Presented as a film within a film, it’s an honest and insightful perspective of a young filmmaker struggling to create her first feature. Definitely not her first role, Ross plays Dina, the newly starring actress.
Speaking with Schon!, she discusses her recent role in My First Film and the challenges that come with starting in the industry, as well as the reality and struggles of any beginning.
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Let’s go back to where it all started, to your beginnings. So tell me, what is your earliest acting-related memory?
Probably when my sister and I were around eight and ten years old. We got these little video cameras and we immediately started writing and making our own movies. She would shoot and put me in them, so that was probably my first acting memory. I remember we made a mockumentary, so a fake documentary, about being a pop star. We were pretending to be those pop stars in the studio or getting ready… Just super casual, kids at home making movies.
This is not too far from your actual day-to-day. So now that you are older, how do you choose the projects you want to work on?
I think it’s super important to understand your director and get along with them before the process. You kind of have to know what you’re diving into. For example for My First Film, Zia Anger, the director, and I got on so quickly. It’s kind of nice to get to know the director beforehand. We were always on the same page with Zia. By the time you get the job, you’ve hung out a few times already. But also I would say, just taking risks and doing things I’m not the most comfortable with, that’s the best way to learn things in life.
There’s a real honesty about My First Film, where you play the role of Dina. How was it portraying being a newly starting actress?
I could relate to her so much, the scene where she is like, “Cause I’m an actor now,” that’s literally how I felt. So preparing for that was just getting to know the story, and trying to understand the motives. I could definitely relate to her, I loved her. It really was all in the pages, it wasn’t too hard to get into it. Also, even though we never really spoke about it, “by the way, you’re not supposed to be good.” I feel like it’s something I just understood. It was kind of a mutually untold thing, that was just how it was going to be played. This girl (Dina) has never acted before; she’s just kind of a watcher, an observer which I can relate to. I’m like that as well; half introvert, half extrovert. There’s a side to me that is kind of quieter, more inquisitive.
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What advice do you have for someone making their first movie or acting for the first time?
I just feel like you just have to go for it. It’s such a nerve-racking thing; it’s such a self-conscious experience. Obviously, your first time doing anything, you’re constantly asking yourself: “Am I doing this right? Am I good enough? Does anyone hate me?” But I think you just have to go through everything! You are there for a reason, you have to try your best to throw out your insecurities and get where you want to get. That’s the most important. I mean, my first job, I’ve spent weeks losing sleep. Why did they pick me? I’ve never even acted before. You just have to put trust in the people who chose you, have gratitude, and just do the best that you can.
My First Film is a movie within a movie. Wasn’t that too confusing to play?
It’s so funny because my first job ever was a show about making a film, and then the next one was a film about making a film, which is so funny to me. I mean, you’re around a fake film crew, with cameras, with mics and then there’s an actual crew with mics and cameras… It didn’t get confusing this time because we were all so close, so we obviously knew who everyone was. It was so fun to make something like that. It was a fun ride for sure!
What was your favourite scene to play?
The dancing scene was probably my favourite. Monica Mirabelle choreographed it. I used to be a dancer when I was younger. We filmed it on a night shoot, it was just me and Odessa (Young) on the scene and that was really fun. Also, the scene where I was trying to scream, was great! We were all so close when we filmed that, because we spent so much time together everything was fun, that scene in particular. It was all really cool to make, I can’t think of one scene that I didn’t enjoy.
There’s a real female perspective to the film. It talks about abortion and its struggles… Is that something that drew you to this project?
The script deals with things that people don’t talk about, which is so important to me. Now when my friends watch it, they’re like, “Oh my god! I’ve never seen people talk about that, or I can relate to that so much, or this happened to me.” When you write a script that’s the reaction you want from a film like this. I think films should always have real subjects, you know. It was female-directed; the DP was a female, the costume, and the make-up artist were all women… We were surrounded by females; so obviously as a woman, it’s the most comfortable environment you can be in. It wasn’t hard to take risks or try new things.
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In which movie did you have to get out of your comfort zone and take risks?
Just recently, with the movie Vindicta, which is not out yet. It’s a period piece and it was very dialogue-heavy. I was in every scene, which I’ve never done before. There was a lot of physical work as well. I would have loved to do every stunt but wasn’t allowed to, because obviously, I would hurt myself. But it was a great new experience; it took everything to the next level. I’ve learned so much!
I know you can’t talk much about Vindicta, as it’s not out yet, but tell me more about Depravity.
That was also a pretty crazy experience! We filmed it in Bangkok, Thailand for two months. I’ve never been there before, so it was really cool. Same with the film, I was in a lot of scenes and it was a lot of physical stunts but also choreography. We even had a stunt coordinator. They would teach us how to “kill” someone, how to make it look real… You never think about that part when you are watching a movie. You think everyone goes on and does it, but actually, you have to learn how to do these specific movements and where the camera is… It’s a bit confusing at first but it was really interesting to learn.
Is there a genre or film director you would like to work with?
Oh yeah! I have a list actually, I can tell you some… I love Annie Baker, she did the film Janet Planet this year, which I thought was amazing. I’ve watched it like 4 times! Wim Wenders is one of my favourite directors of all time. I love Sean Baker, I love Jim Jarmusch and India Donaldson just did this film called Good One… I’m obsessed with movies! I can just go on and on and on.
What you would be doing if you were not an actor? What about modelling?
I thought about this the other day, I feel like I’ll still do music. Or maybe casting, it sounds like a really cool experience, but I’ll definitely still be in the creative umbrella of things for sure. I loved modelling, it came out at such a great time in my life, I was the perfect age. It was so fun; it took me to so many places and met so many people. But modelling and acting are so different. When modelling you are there for someone to show their work, your purpose is to help someone make their vision come alive, but they’re in control of it. You are a mannequin, which is fun and you have some freedom in that… But with acting, it’s much more of a collaborative experience. You are constantly being asked, “What about this? What do you think about this? What if we try this?”, especially with indie films, everyone needs to have the same amount of passion around. Everyone is so in love with what they’re doing. It’s a little piece of art that everyone needs to put passion in to come alive at the end. I enjoy both, and it’s really cool that acting comes with that and I still get to do some modelling.
What is your relationship with fashion?
I love fashion! I grew up loving fashion, forever and I still love it. I always loved vintage clothes, my parents would take me vintage shopping, finding something special and irreplaceable pieces. So I love searching for things, but you know, I also love going to an LV store and getting beautiful things. I think that modelling fortunately goes along with acting so hopefully I won’t have to stop doing it. I recently became a ‘friend of the house’ of LOUIS VUITTON, which means I can participate in all of the events and go to the fashion weeks. I get to do all the fun stuff!
What are some exciting projects you are looking forward to in 2025?
None that I can talk about really… I can tell you that I’m shooting a film called The Deputy, it’s starring Julia Fox, William H. Macy and Stephen Dorff, which I’m really looking forward to. I’m also working on Vindicta, which is a Croatian film where I play the lead role. But overall, I’m always keeping myself busy, usually with music. I wanna do everything! I would love to direct one day, I just love everything about this business.
full look. Louis Vuitton
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full look. Louis Vuitton
photography. Evgeniya Minaeva
fashion. Sarah Rose
talent. Devon Ross
hair. Gregg Lennon @ The Only Agency
make up. Nick Lennon @ The Only Agency
production. Clara La Rosa
location. Vision Studio LA
interview. Mehdi Bensalah
