Vanessa Carrasco
Vanessa Carrasco, an actress from New York, will star in Apple TV+’s new series, “Life by Ella,” premiering in September. She plays Ximena in the series which follows a middle-school girl returning to school after fighting cancer. Vanessa also appeared in different films and series such as “Irreplaceable You,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and “New Amsterdam,” as well as starring as Aurora in the short film covering child-trafficking, “Sleeping Beauty.”
Dress by Balmain at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Island
Shoes by Beautiisoles (Showroom 7)
Bracelet by Erickson Beamon at Showroom 7
How would you describe “Life by Ella?”
It is a moving piece dealing with a ton of emotions surrounding cancer and recovery, it shows the stresses and the promises from each character's point of view, and dives deep into the trauma that Ella has from her time in the hospital.
Tell us about your character, Ximena, and her role in the story. Did you connect with her?Ximena is a playful, sweet friend, which I can connect to, except when she turned her back on Ella. As Ella is in the hospital, Ximena deals with the fear that if she stays by her side, she‘d end up losing Ella if the worst happens.
Top by Dorothee Schumacher
Dress by Prune Goldschmidt
Fishnet by Stylist Own
Shoes byBeautiisole (Showroom 7)
Brooch by Erickson Beamon at Showroom 7
Prop by Stylist Own
What about the story and series made you interested in the role and project?
“Life by Ella” is motivational, and that drew me in. The idea of overcoming hardships and fighting such an ugly battle is raw, and I‘m personally drawn to those kinds of stories.
What do you think audiences will appreciate and potentially connect with in the series?
I think the audience will appreciate the way that each character has changed for the better throughout the series. I’m really hoping too that they connect with the fact that Ella breaks free from the boundaries of cancer, not only physically, but mentally, and many people struggle mentally with breaking free from other things. They can maybe understand now that the pain will get smaller with time.
Left:
Dress by Adam Lippes
Ring by Erickson Beamon at Showroom 7
Flower by Stylist Own
Right:
Top by Zell (Showroom 7)
Pants by Zell (Showroom 7)
Shoes by Ron Dyce at The Confessional Showroom
When did you start acting? What drew you to pursue it professionally?
I started acting at around 9 years old, I was a model since I was 1 year old, so I’ve always been comfortable being in front of a camera, and, at first, acting was just an extracurricular activity (school always came first), and I’d get small roles here and there. There’s always a boom in a child actor’s life when they turn 11, because there are so many more auditions and roles that require 11–13-year olds to play them, and as a result of doing it more often, I gained a love for acting and film, and decided to do it professionally.
Top by Dorothee Schumacher
Dress by Prune Goldschmidt
Fishnet by Stylist Own
Shoes byBeautiisole (Showroom 7)
Brooch by Erickson Beamon at Showroom 7
Prop by Stylist Own
What are your goals for your career in the coming years? Are there any other art forms or fields you may want to pursue outside of acting?
I’m really hoping I can do some cool, out of the box type of movie or TV series that does a bit of mental damage to the audience. I‘m always attracted to those kinds of things on TV, because they really make you think, and they stick with you forever. I play piano and bass guitar too, so maybe something can come of that, but I’m fairly sure I can’t write lyrics as good as I can act them out, hence, I went into acting instead of music.
Do you have any dream roles or people to work with?
I would LOVE to work with Alexa Demie, Margot Robbie, Timothee Chalamet, and Kirsten Dunst. Maybe I could convince a director to make a movie with all of them as characters, and I could spend my days on set hanging around with them. That would be really cool.
Left:
Top by Zell (Showroom 7)
Pants by Zell (Showroom 7)
Shoes by Ron Dyce at The Confessional Showroom
Right:
Dress by Balmain at Neiman Marcus Roosevelt Island
Shoes by Beautiisoles (Showroom 7)
Bracelet by Erickson Beamon at Showroom 7
Social Media.
Instagram: @Vanessa__Carrasco
Dress by Adam Lippes
Ring by Erickson Beamonat Showroom 7
Flower by Stylist Own
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
Creative Director + Photographer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Vanessa Carrasco
Fashion Stylist + Producer: Alison Hernon
Hair: Denis Perani
Makeup: Ammara Rana
Fashion Stylist Assistant: Sahar Kariem
Fashion Stylist Interns: Flora Medina Yue Wu
Assistant to Makeup Artist: Sara Shakir
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Flora Medina, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Studio: Blonde Studios
BEAUTY CREDITS:
Products: RéVive Skincare Kat Burki Skincare
Skin Prep:
Eye Cream: RéVive Moisurizing Renewal Eyecream
Lip: Kati Burki ROSE HIP HYALURON LIP TREATMENT
RéVive Balancing toner
Clarté Vitamin C Sérum
Intensité lustre day crème
Makeup: Jones Road Beauty, The Organic Skincare Co., Westbarn Co., Tower 28,
Westman Atelier Makeup Forever Charlotte Tilbury using Jones Road Beauty
Jena - The Organic Skincare, WBCo, creators of Soap Brows Tower 28 Beauty
Westman Atelier MAKE UP FOR EVER Charlotte Tilbury
Primer: The Organic Skincare Prep n Prime
Jones Road Beauty Miracle Balm in Au Natural
Jones Road Beauty What the Foundation: Fair
Jones Road Beauty The Face Pencil # 5
Jones Road Beauty Lip & Cheek in Bright Pink
Jones Road Beauty Shimmer Face Oil in Pink Opal
Brows:
Westbarn Co. Soap Brows extra Strong
West Barn Co. Prep Mist
West Barn Co. Brow Pen in Coal
EYES:
Jones Road Beauty The Best Eyeshadow in Cream
Liner: Makeup Forever AquaResist Graphic Pen
Mascara: Charlotte Tilbury Push up Lashes
Lip:
Tower 28 Lip Jelly in Coconut
