Issue 18
Preorder Now
Issue 18
Preorder Now
Photographer Emma Pilkington Mead
Fashion Charlie Ward
Writer Tari La Fauci
Groomer Nicole Elle King at The Wall Group using La Mer, Westman Atelier, and Jillian Dempsey
Producer Tessa Swantek
Location Special Thanks Rosa New York
At some point in life, we become adults, like the dance of nature. We don’t seem to notice it, but there is a moment when the last golden leaf sways to the ground and suddenly, it is winter. We grow out of sweaters from the children’s section, colourful ice cream sprinkles are replaced with black coffee, a first kiss turns into heartbreak, and you forget what it feels like not to worry. Somewhere between blurry time zones, London and New York, Thomas Doherty and I wonder how it would feel to be kids again.
In our conversation, Thomas talks a lot about "masking" and learning to take off the mask. We'd like to think our conversation with him was very much unmasked as he talked about getting back to his true self, the energy and colours of New York, and his role as Leo in season two Tell Me Lies. In our conversation and photoshoot, he laughs a lot which he says is one thing he carried over from his childhood. He opens up our conversation showing us his living room which really is the only good way to start any conversation over Zoom. Our conversation ranges from best pizza spots in New York (he might be New York's number one fan) and self-discovery to his hometown of Edinburgh and his early days of work which include falling asleep on beds and putting on different accents in call centres.
Here is a sneak peek of our conversation:
I think the key is to develop the ability to self-validate and self-love and stop trying to be something for other people. I could sit in a room with someone for five minutes and I’d think, 'Oh, I know how I can make you like me.' That will validate me, but it’s like sugar. It’s not real. It gives you a quick high, but then you constantly have to find that all the time and your life will start to revolve around getting that validation. Then you wake up one day so far away from yourself. You’re just in this cycle. It’s almost like an addiction. That’s sad. I don’t want to live like that anymore. I’m not living like that anymore. And of course, I’m a human being, so it happens still. As an actor, you’re selling yourself so it gets convoluted. That was a fucking… [laughs]
While we love the beautiful candour, we also love his playfulness. Photographed by Emma Mead, he eats apples while dancing around to "Taste" by Sabrina Carpenter. He also falls forward on a wooden chair and backward into our stylist's arms. Lots of falling...including us falling in love with his personality even though he calls himself "fucking crazy."
Take in the full 18-page story beyond this teaser. Our brand new Autumn Winter 2024 issue Revolving Revelations is available to buy online.
