Elle Fanning goes grungy for cover shoot as she talks 'beating up' big sister Dakota and what it was like to play a transgender teen
Elle Fanning is taking on her grittiest – and most important – role to date, as a teenager who is transitioning from female to male in About Ray.
The 17-year-old talked to Nylon about preparing for the part, as well as posing for the magazine's cover and admitting to fights with big sister Dakota.
Before she began filming her latest movie, Elle spoke to transgender teenagers about their experiences, and she said they were very kind and open to her.
Scroll down for video
Bright young thing: Elle Fanning stars in the latest issue of Nylon magazine, in which she discusses her latest movie About Ray, which follows a teenager who is transitioning from female to male
‘They opened up to me in the most incredible way,’ the actress shared. ‘I’m just a stranger who’s doing a movie, but they told me their different journeys and even little details like what chest binder brand is the best one, like, “They all suck, but this one’s all right.” They were so helpful.’
Elle revealed that she would also go about her everyday life in character as Ray.
‘Obviously I wasn’t dressed like this,’ she explained, pointing to her outfit. ‘I would go to lunch, and I wouldn’t change, so I looked like Ray.
Back to the '90s: The actress may be too young to remember the grunge movement, but she dressed in grungy clothes for a photo shoot to go alongside her interview
'They were so helpful': Elle said she spoke with transgender teenagers to prepare for her role as Ray
‘The waiter would come over, like, “Oh, are you done eating sir?” The actor in me was like, “Yeah!” Then I thought, “Whoa, actually if that happened to Ray, he would be so excited that someone just saw him for himself.”’
There was some controversy over Elle landing the part instead of a trans actor, and the Maleficent star absolutely believes transgender actors should have the same opportunities as her.
‘They should be able to play my part, you know? It should be equal opportunity,’ she said.
Getting into character: The 17-year-old revealed that she would go out for lunch dressed as Ray
Rock on: Elle wore band T-shirts, platforms, ripped tights and jeans and boots for the shoot
Meanwhile, Elle also discussed her relationship with big sister Dakota, now 21, who found fame as a child actor.
‘When we were little we would fight all the time. I’m taller, so I would be the one beating her up,’ she told Nylon.
In her latest movie, Elle relished the chance to work with Susan Sarandon – who portrays her grandmother – in the film, and gushed to the magazine: ‘Susan is like a legend, you know? She’s so hot!’
Still embracing childhood: The teenager admitted she won't go to bed without her stuffed animals and a blanket named Waffle
And Susan, 69, is equally fond of her young co-star.
‘Elle is like a gangly, enthusiastic colt, bounding out of rooms, laughing, and full of fun,’ she said. ‘Then when it’s time to be in character, she settles down with super-sharp focus and is fierce.
‘She invested so much in Ray and his quest for authenticity that it grounds the film. I can’t imagine anyone else in the part.’
Along with her interview, Elle posed for a photo shoot in which she showed why she’s fast becoming a fashion icon at the tender age of 17.
Cover girl: Elle appears on the cover of Nylon magazine's November issue in a glitzy black outfit
Go glam in Elle's sequined tank by Rodarte
We may not have the face of this beautiful blonde ingenue, nor are we on the cover of Nylon Magazine. But what we can have, is her sequined Rodarte camisole top!
Which, in our opinion is the next best thing.
Though instead of sultrily posing against a toile wallpapered room, you'll find us under the disco ball wearing this top on a girls night out with some black skinny jeans and a moto jacket.
Do you feel us on that outfit re-branding? While we love Elle's moto-glam look straight from Rodarte's Fall runway collection-- there's only so much we can afford.
And a stunning top like this can turn any ol' outfit into a force to be reckoned with. Its delicate lace trim, semi-sheer bodice and dazzling sequins, this beauty will become the pièce de résistance in your closet.
So click right to buy Elle's flirty and feminine top from FWRD.com or browse our edit below for more affordable alternatives.
The teen showed off various grungy outfits – with ripped tights, ‘90s style platforms and boots and ripped jeans.
One photo showed Elle laughing as she cuddled a statue of a dog, while in another she wore billowing red trousers with funky sunglasses.
The star may be turning 18 next year, but she is still embracing childhood for the moment and admitted to Nylon that she won’t go to bed without her stuffed cocker-spaniel named Jesse, stuffed bunny named Mr. Purple and a blanket named Waffle.
Luckily they're best friends now!: Elle admitted to the magazine that she used to 'beat up' big sister Dakota, who she is pictured with in October 2013
Elle also talked to the magazine about aliens, admitting she firmly believes they exist.
‘I think about them,’ she confessed. ‘I don’t think we’re the only thing in millions of galaxies. Maybe we’ll never meet them, maybe we’ll never know about them, but there has to be something, right? I think so.’
About Ray was originally planned to hit cinemas last month, but pulled from schedule three days before its release. It currently does not have a new release date.
Elle also stars alongside Bryan Cranston in upcoming movie Trumbo.
Pulled from schedule: About Ray was delayed three days before its intended release, and currently does not have a release date
- Koko the gorilla falls in love with a litter of tiny kittens
- Caught on film: Teen killed after flashing his lights at cop
- GRAPHIC: Could this be the biggest blister of all time?
- 'Go to hell': Love Ranch brothel owner slams Kardashians
- 'Possessed' woman convulses and screams in disturbing video
- Dramatic 911 call after Lamar Odom found unconscious
- Incredible moment passers-by rescue new born from bag
- Woman launches scathing racist attack in heated row on bus
- Terrifying moment sashimi fish jumps from dinner plate
- Boy cowers in embarrassment as dad lets rip at post office
- Footage of VIP suite where Lamar Odom was found unconscious
- Spooky video captures 'black-eyed ghost child' in forest
- EXCLUSIVE: Democratic National Committeewoman says her party...
- Lamar comes out of coma, speaks to Khloe and wants to see...
- Investigation into Hillary's email server focuses on...
- EXCLUSIVE: Lamar poured out his heart about split from Khloe...
- 'Officer, what are you doing?': Cop shoots dead unarmed...
- Pictured: The shocking 'text neck' X-rays that show how...
- Khloe Kardashian hits back at 'publicity-seeking' boss of...
- ABC News' Dr. Jamie Zimmerman drowns in Hawaii after losing...
- Kim, Kris, Kourtney and Kylie arrive back in LA by private...
- 'I think he had a death wish': Father of Lamar Odom's best...
- 'They're my babies': Watch the extraordinary moment broody...
- EXCLUSIVE: Lamar Odom injected 'speedballs' and ranted about...