PhotoBook’s cover feature has Erin Moriarty from the TV show, The Boys on Amazon Prime. Season 2 starts in September. The ending of Season 1 leads you to believe anything can happen. Erin portrays “Starlight,” who combines superpowers with a down-to-earth quality, and, in some ways, she wants to lead a normal life.

Working with Erin to get this cover feature shot during a period of COVID was no ordinary shoot and involved a lot of organization and dedication. I got to see Erin’s disciplined and focused nature as well as a down-to-earth quality that Starlight possesses. “A Ray Of Light” during these dark times to symbolize we still need to move on and work toward our goals and dreams. Here photographed beautifully by Mike Ruiz is the story and interview with Erin.

Foreword by Alison Hernon, Editor-In-Chief, PhotoBook Magazine

Bustier & Skirt by @VidemusOmnia at DREEMS NYC

1. Name?
Erin Moriarty.

2. Where do you live, and where did you grow up?
I currently live in Los Angeles, but I grew up in New York City. I consider myself bicoastal.

3. How did you discover you wanted to be an actor?
It initially manifested in a desire to simply perform, singing more often than acting. I was in LOVE with singing when I was much younger and grew up with a blues-musician father, who encouraged any sense of musicality. That eventually merged with acting and my first jobs were in musical theater. Musical theater gave me the bug, but my obsession with movies eventually led me to pursue a career in screen acting.

4. Who influenced your career the most as you grew up?
It's too hard to pick ONE person - I feel like the ONLY reason I'm able to be a working actress is due to the amalgamation of my amazing parents along with a couple of acting teachers. My parents were the perfect balance between being supportive and grounding. Giving up school or sacrificing my academics for my interest in acting were not options until I graduated from high school (something I deeply resented at the time, but in retrospect am so grateful for). They were, however, always encouraging me to find a way to explore my interests while keeping them in balance with school. My mom sent me to acting studio after acting studio for classes, and my dad poured over the audition listings in Backstage Magazine with me, hoping to find a job that wouldn't require me to drop out of school, but that would get me some professional experience. My mom found a brilliant acting coach for me when I was about 15, who essentially taught me how to act. My dad is the biggest cinephile I know, and I grew up being exposed to brilliant films with strong female leads (often foreign), catalyzing my desire to be involved in those kinds of films. Growing up in a household and city where individualism and a passion for the arts were encouraged held such an invaluable influence on me.

5. Tell us about your role as Annie January in The Boys?
In order to understand Annie, you need to understand the context that she exists within the world of The Boys. The primary question that is confronted by our show is: if superheroes REALLY existed, would they actually be good? And if we're being honest with ourselves, the answer is probably no because power corrupts. We see examples of this in real life every single day. Enter Annie January. She's the moral compass of the show and the only true superhero who's earnestly trying to make the world a better place. Her naivete surrounding the severity of the corruption among the top superheroes is obliterated when she's inducted into the most revered group of superheroes in the world.

Season 1 is kicked off with her experiencing sexual abuse at the hands of a fellow celebrity superhero who takes advantage of his own power and status (sound familiar?). The season continues to throw adversities at her, but she comes out on the other side a stronger, more nuanced character.

Left: Dress by Arianne Elmy Jacket by QUOD at Flying Solo Right: Dress by L.K. Bennett — **Left:**
Dress by Arianne Elmy
Jacket by QUOD at Flying Solo
**Right:**
Dress by L.K. Bennett

6. Why did you want to be involved in this production?
I love that it takes a totally irreverent and satirical approach to the superhero genre. It allows for a level of humor and darkness that's not often seen in superhero shows or movies. (Some may deem it even excessive, but my favorite kinds of jobs are ones that push the envelope a little bit). Combine all of the above with political and social commentary and you've got my dream job.

7. You started your career at an early age as Annie in Annie . What was it like?
Honestly, it was a blast. I was young enough (about 12) to still have that unabashed confidence that comes with youth, so it was just pure fun. It was hard work though and required lengthy rehearsals every day after school and on weekends. I remember thinking that it was the first time I experienced "good stress," and it provided an early confirmation that I wanted to pursue a performative career.

8. Do you have anyone in particular who inspires you?
My mom. I would say that I find work ethic to be one of the most admirable traits someone can possess, and among so many other wonderful traits, she has this one in spades. It's her work ethic combined with her commitment that I've always sought to emulate. Whether it be her job, her charity work, her scuba diving, or her internationally traveling swim group, she commits and works so hard to be the best version of herself in whatever position she holds. To me, it seems like a manifestation of her desire to make the most out of every aspect of her life. I feel so lucky to be descended from someone who is an endless source of inspiration for me.

9. If you could work with any actor or actress, who would it be?
Hmmmm ... truly hard question for me to answer because the amount I admire is immense. I would love to work with Joaquin Phoenix. I find his acting to be some of the most organic, nuanced acting in our industry and I think it would be amazing to work opposite of him. Actress wise? It's a tie between Tilda Swinton and Frances McDormand.

10. Share a memorable moment from filming.
I can't say too much otherwise it'll qualify as a spoiler, but I was involved with a scene in season 2 that involves the fetishizing of amputating limbs. All I'll say is, tune in to season 2 to learn more.

11. What are you most proud of and why?
I find this question to be quite hard to answer, and I'm not entirely sure why . There are certainly things that I'm proud of, but I guess it's because what I'm proud of most surprises me. If I'm being honest, my greatest source of pride has nothing to do with my job. I'm most proud of the relationships and deep friendships I've cultivated outside of my own family. I have second family members in both Los Angeles and New York City who are loving and intelligent people. I'm not sure how I've wrangled some of the most amazing people I know to be my best friends, but I'm damn lucky to have them.

12. What are some of your hobbies when you’re not working?
I LOVE to cook, hike, go camping, go on long (phone-less) walks with my dog, read, listen to podcasts nonstop, have movie nights, go to the movies, and have dinner parties with friends.

13. Would you mind telling us about any upcoming projects you’re most excited about?
I get to go back for season 3 of The Boys next year and I'm SO excited. COVID really eradicated prospects within our industry so I'm just staying grateful I even have a job to return to.