Schön! 47 | yasmin finney in Margaret Howell + Cartier
wearing Margaret Howell + Cartier
Art has different meanings for everyone. Some find escapism through art, while others see it as a reflection of society. When British actor Yasmin Finney sits down to chat with us for her Schön! 47 digital cover story, wearing pieces by Margaret Howell and Cartier, it’s clear acting — and, in turn, art — is a dream realised. “When I was in primary school, we went around the class saying what we wanted to be when we grew up,” she shares. “Others said lawyer, doctor, nurse, teacher, and I said, ‘Oh, an actress.’ At the time, I [hadn’t transitioned], and everyone just laughed. Even if people doubt you, it’s always good to stay true to what you want, even if your surroundings don’t necessarily support that idea.”
Despite the pushback, the Manchester actor found herself in one of the biggest Netflix adaptations to date: Heartstopper. “Through the show, you see a huge maturity each season,” she says. “Elle [her character] taught me a lot about confidence, what true friendship should be, what true love should be. Even though it’s a world of escapism, it’s still nice to be part of a world that gives millions of people hope. Doing that as a trans woman is amazing because I don’t really need to do much but bring myself and show people that that’s okay.” A show that celebrates uniqueness, Heartstopper stands out among youth shows on British television, praised for its authentic LGBTQ+ representation, something long missing in the entertainment industry. “It’s crazy that it’s never been done before; just queer people living, the joy and the happiness,” says Finney.
Coming from Manchester, Finney’s path to success is unique in an industry steeped in classism and nepotism. “I didn’t go to a really posh, well-rounded drama school,” she shares. “The woman you see now is definitely influenced by my mum. As a single Black mum raising me, it wasn’t easy. There were days where we just didn’t get along and days where she was like, ‘How do I navigate you being a woman?’ But those days are long in the past. It takes time.” Beyond her work, Finney is navigating the evolving journey of womanhood. She is closing one chapter in her personal life to step into a new one, armed with growth and self-love. “Literally what everyone needs – whether you have a friend, multiple friends, or none – [is] to be independent, because that is the only person you have in life,” she explains. “Instead of trying to get other people to validate me, let my validation come from me.”
