Casimere Jollette
Casimere Jollette is a dancer and actor starring in the Netflix series Tiny Pretty Things. Tiny Pretty Things brings us a look into the elite ballet academy world with promising students entering a world based upon lies, betrayals and cutthroat competition. The show is based upon the novel by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton. Check out the trailer here.
Top by Claudio Cina
Skirt by Morphine Fashion at Flying Solo
Earrings by David Yurman
You spent your early life in Chicago and moved to Los Angeles when you were 19-years old. How has living in both of these cities shaped you as an actor, dancer, mode, and person
Growing up in the Midwest has definitely kept me grounded throughout my life and career and shaped me as a person. I always loved having the option of being able to go back to my roots and visit home to keep myself level-headed. Los Angeles and the industry can be a tough place to live and work. Thankfully, I found the right people in LA and have surrounded myself with positive and supportive friends, who have helped make my experience living there great. I started modeling in Chicago at the age of 7, so that was my first introduction into the industry. The two cities definitely differ in the entertainment world, but I think Chicago was a great starting ground and helped me immensely in my transition from the Midwest to west coast.
Earrings by David Yurman
Long Sleeved Blouse by OxygeneUs at Flying Solo
Graphic Top by OxygeneUs at Flying Solo
You are a ballerina in real life and on television. What parts about dance life does TV portray accurately? What parts of it aren’t the way they are depicted on screen? Do you feel like it’s easier to play a ballerina on television after having been one for so long already?
Oh, I definitely feel like it’s easier to play a ballerina on TV having been one my entire life. That’s what makes our show so special. They did a phenomenal job on casting actors who were professional dancers. That was a big priority for them, and it definitely shows. We had absolutely no doubles doing the dancing on the show. I think that is so important and such a strong choice on their part because it’s not typical that TV and film use real dancers and showcase their talents. I am so honored to be doing so and showing the world that we can do it all. I believe the Tiny Pretty Things writers did a great job portraying dance life accurately on our show. They researched and interviewed so many professional ballet dancers and even took our thoughts and experiences into consideration. The ballet world is a dark place, and they didn’t shy away from that by any means. From eating disorders, to sex, to drugs, the competitiveness and frenemy situations — everyone is trying to get to the top, land that lead role, and be the best that they could possibly be. I think our show tells that truth.
What is the rehearsal process like on Tiny Pretty Things? In terms of production, how are people practicing social distancing and safety measures on set? Do you feel close to Bette as a character?
Thankfully, we wrapped up production in Toronto in December 2019, but we are so grateful to all the team who continued to work remotely on the series in order for it to launch this year. We had dance rehearsals basically every day for four weeks before we started production on Tiny Pretty Things . While filming we had rehearsals on the weekends at Canada’s National Ballet School. We would also have rehearsals throughout the week while we filmed, in between our scenes or on any days we had off. We would go through hair and makeup, film a scene, go to dance rehearsal, go BACK to hair and makeup, get ready for next scene, and continue the cycle. It was the busiest I have ever been in my life/ professional career, and no other set have I ever worked as hard as I did on this one. But it was a dream come true and the absolute best experience of my life. I would give anything to be back doing that right now instead of sitting in my home like we all have been for months. I’m itching to go back!
You have so many different kinds of training and experience in the entertainment industry. What do you feel was the most relevant training that helped you succeed as a performer?
I believe dance has helped me tremendously to succeed as a performer. I started dancing at 2-years old and competing at 5 years old, on stage in front of hundreds and thousands of people. The dance world definitely gave me that competitive edge and strength for all the no’s I’d later receive in my life. I became a fighter and never gave up, and I think dance is what did it for me. I’ve also fallen in love with performing from such an early age. Whether it be on stage or in front of a camera.
What is your biggest dream? How will you know you’ve achieved it? How do you celebrate personal milestones?
My biggest dream since I started acting at the age of 14-years old was to book an acting job that would be my breakout role where I portrayed a ballerina and did all my own dancing. Ten years later, we are finally here. I would watch Center Stage as a kid and say to myself, like so many others, I wanted to be like Zoe Saldana. She did all her own dancing in that movie, and that was her first big role. I wanted to start off doing the same thing that she did and grow my acting career from there, with the center route of it always being dance. That dream came true and I am currently living it. This entire year since I booked Tiny Pretty Things has been a celebration, and I am constantly having to pinch myself and remind myself that it is indeed real.
Your whole family is creative. Do you see yourself branching out into visual art or music––any kind of art outside of performance? If you weren’t an actor or a dancer, what would you be doing, and why?
Yes, my whole family is creative. My brother, who I lived with in LA, works in the music industry at Capitol Records. He is so musically inclined and talented. My mother is an interior designer among many other things, and she designed and hand made all of my dance costumes while growing up. Fashion is a big thing for me that I most definitely learned from her. I have already started making my own jewelry, sewing, and knitting and would love someday to start up my own jewelry line, as well as clothing line, and, of course, dance line. If I weren’t keeping busy in my professional life by acting and dancing, I would love to go to Parsons School of Design in New York and continue my love for design and fashion there.
Earrings by David Yurman
Jacket by Lucille Reynolds at The Confessional Showroom
Dress by Claudio Cina
Shoes by Model’s own
It’s been a very productive year for you personally despite everything that has been put on hold due to the pandemic. If the world shuts down again, how do you think you’ll be spending your time?
I will be spending my time with my family. I think that’s the most important thing right now. Being an actor and living in different places and traveling all the time, I don’t get to spend this amount of time with my family. So, if the world shuts down again I am going to be right where I started, soaking in all the quality time with the ones I love. I will also keep working on myself and strive to be better by learning and growing as a person. I will also keep busy and focused while doing other hobbies I love like practicing guitar, making jewelry, knitting, and watching LOTS of Netflix.
What’s your favorite holiday/winter tradition? What are you most looking forward to in 2021? Every year I spend Christmas with my family in Chicago. It’s one of the few times a year that I would fly back home from LA and be with family, so it is extremely important and precious to me. In April, my lease was up in LA, and I decided it was the perfect time to move home and be with my family, whom I haven’t been with in so long. I am still here in Chicago, and it is so great to experience the winter, see the snow, and help decorate and bake with my family. I honestly couldn’t ask for anything more right now. As for 2021, I really just hope and pray that our world recovers and that we have two vaccines. It’s been such a horrible year for everyone. We can look forward in the coming year to health and safety for my family and all other families---everyone living in the world.
When borders are open and it's safe to travel again, where will you be going first, and why?
I will be going right back to Toronto where we filmed, hopefully, for a season 2! I have fallen in love with the city and many of the people in it.
With a really rigorous and busy schedule, what do you consider to be the best way to practice self-care?
I have had a lot of time recently during the pandemic to really sit down and practice self-care. I’ve had to find other outlets, such as taking ballet class, as my therapy. Not having spare time for so long I have turned to other creative outlets and hobbies that help me relax. Like I said earlier, I started making jewelry and knitting, which is very meditative for me. I also love to relax by putting on a face mask and watching a good movie.
Left:
Bracelet by David Yurman
Dress by MiriMari at The Confessional Showroom
Right:
Top by Claudio Cina
Skirt by Morphine Fashion at Flying Solo
Earrings by David Yurman
What is your motto in life?
I believe that everything happens for a reason. When things don’t go your way, it’s because there is something better in the future waiting for you. That has honestly gotten me through all the hardships and difficulties throughout my career. If I didn’t believe in myself and believe that the universe has a place for me, I wouldn’t have kept fighting to be where I am today.
Social Media:
Instagram: @casimere
CREW CREDITS:
Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photographer: Petros Kouiouris
Talent: Casimere Jollette
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon at Agency Gerard Artists
Hair: Dominick Pucciarello at Tomlinson Management Group
Makeup: Meredith Baraf at Bernstein & Andriulli
Tearsheets: Wei Liu
Interview: Kristen Wong
Fashion Interns: Kaylee Wilson and Victoria Burnett
