One of our favorite series that we can't wait to see come back later this year for it's latest season is Netflix's Emily in Paris! We love the idea of leaving the US to work and live in Paris, navigating a job that you're great at but doing it in a place whose culture and customs are different than what you've grown up with!
When Emily Cooper (Lily Collins), comes to Paris she learns how to think on her feet in her personal and professional life and along the way we see how her colleagues interact with her. One of her Parisian co-workers is Julien, played by Samuel Arnold. We know that he too is a rising star who wants to make a name for himself and we see how he grows to accept Lily. We caught up with Samuel to find out how he approaches acting projects, Emily in Paris, the importance of hydration and his ambassadorship with Jovē.
ATHLEISURE MAG: You have worked in television and in film, what are you looking for when you're deciding on attaching yourself to a project/role?
SAMUEL ARNOLD: When starting a project I hope to be surrounded by passionate people who are in love with storytelling. I hope to be challenged by having to play a complex tri-dimensional character and I hope to have enough space to create and say what I have to say through my acting.
AM: Emily in Paris is an amazing show from the storyline to the fashion, and of course Paris, it's a binge-able treat. What drew you to the series?
SA: When I was asked to audition, I knew it was going to be something big when I heard Darren Star (Younger, Sex and the City series and movies, And Just Like That) and Lily Colins (90210, The Blind Side, Curb Your Enthusiasm) were the names attached to it. They are both the best at what they do and I want to work with people like that. And of course, I discovered Julien and I was dying to play this character after I read the script.
AM: Julien is such an interesting character that has been great to watch as he navigates his career and relationships with others. How do you approach playing him as he is that friend that you definitely want in your group of friends who will always keep it real with you?
SA: I have a very physical approach when it comes to playing Julien. Obviously I am enormously influenced by the wardrobe. It gives so much to the character, but also I found that dancing was working for me. So I’ve been dancing the character to life for three seasons now.
AM: We can't wait for the next season which will drop this year. What are you excited about that you can share with us?
SA: I’m like everyone else when it comes to season 4. I have no idea what they have in store for us and I quite like that. I trust Darren and the writers to create something exciting and amazing like they’ve been doing so far. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Julien.
AM: The cast of this show is incredible! What are some of your biggest takeaways from being part of this show?
SA: Meeting all those beautiful and talented human beings was the best thing that happened to me on this show. We’re like family now. And we see each other as much as we can in between shoots.
AM: At Athleisure Mag, we believe in hydration as it's essential! You are the first brand ambassador of Jovē, which was announced at the Cannes Film Festival this year. Why is hydration important to you and what is the synergy between you and the alkaline brand?
SA: I used to be a professional dancer, and now I’m an actor. So my body has always been my main instrument. And to keep that instrument healthy and ready to go, proper hydration is one of the top things you can do. This partnership with Jovē comes at a moment in my life where I'm getting back to the gym and getting into a more healthy diet, so Jovē has been the perfect companion for the actor that I am.
AM: What does Deep Hydration mean to you?
SA: Deep Hydration is not only about quenching your thirst but it’s about hydrating every single cell in your body. Not only do you feel better on the inside and out, but Jovē is clinically shown to support skin and cellular health, supporting healthy hair, skin, nails and bones.
AM: Jovē has launched their Let Your Skin Do The Talking campaign, which focuses on skin health. Can you tell me about this and what will you do to amplify that message?
SA: Jovē’s Let Your Skin Do The Talking™ campaign amplifies the voice of what healthy skin would ask for — deep hydration at the skin and cellular level. My goal as a Jovē ambassador is to amplify this message and introduce Jovē all over the world as I travel because a high-quality product like Jovē deserves international success.
AM: How important is your personal well-being/self-care to you and what do you do to achieve that?
SA: As an actor, my main instrument is my body and it made so much sense for me to partner with Jovē, who hydrates and supports my instrument in a healthy way. It feels good to promote something that you love and believe in.
AM: You're an ambassador of Or Bleue which focuses on providing drinkable water to underserved communities. Why is being involved in this organization so important to you?
SA: Water is such a basic need, it blows my mind that some people don’t have access to it. I have it on tap and it’s easy to take it for granted. I want to make the world a better place and for me, it starts with drinkable water for everyone.
AM: Are there upcoming projects that you have that we should keep an eye out for?
SA: I shot a movie last winter in Canada where I played a character very different from Julien. I can’t say more about it but keep an eye out for it.
IG @superssama
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | PG 102 + 103 9LIST STORI3S Netflix/Emily in Paris | PG 107 Jovē |
Read the JUN ISSUE #90 of Athleisure Mag and see HYDRATION IS KEY | SAMUEL ARNOLD in mag.
