A normal day in the life of 25-year-old Australian beauty Claire Holt means waking up and stepping into the shoes of Rebekah Mikaelson, a centuries old indestructible and original teenage vampire. Yes, by indestructible I mean she can’t be killed – at least not without ounces and ounces of effort and research, as her co-starring characters have done so for the last four years or so. But Holt doesn’t come from an old world, and it doesn’t take research to see what she’s about; the star of the CW’s hit series The Originals is a get-what-you-see kind of girl. She first entered the vampire fandom back in 2011 during the third season of The Vampire Diaries, giving viewers exactly what they needed: a spunky female vampire that wasn’t afraid to play dirty, inside high school and out.
Fast forward four years later to Holt playing the same character, on her own show this time: a show centered on the first family of vampires, the original family, the Mikaelsons. The supernatural drama has attracted major success for the CW while also expanding the Vampire Diaries fandom. Although her new show now stands on its own two feet, giving viewers a complete fresh look, tone and can of emotions, Holt’s heart still feels for her newbie days in Mystic Falls, the fictional town that Diaries is set in. “It’s such a great production to be apart of,” she says. “That was my home, you know; it’s where I first started this journey. I have very fond memories of my time there.” Lucky for her, her Originals co-star is someone she also has fond memories of, or in this case—with. After all, it isn’t everyday that as an actor you’re paired up with the same person on two shows in two separate countries. Holt worked alongside Phoebe Tonkin for three years on the Australian series H2O, a show about teenage mermaids living by the bay. “Phoebe’s been one of my closest friends for a long time now. Getting the opportunity to work with her was just wonderful. It’s also exciting, because we know how to work together because we’ve done it for so long already. ”
Claire and Phoebe’s on-screen chemistry is undeniably captivating; any blog or fan forum can assure you of that. The same goes for the connection between on-screen brothers Joseph Morgan and Daniel Gillies. So the common denominator here is Holt; is she just that good? Possibly, but any talented person also possesses modesty. This blonde beauty is no exception to the rule, as she gives her vampiric alter ego some of the credit.
“I love that she is such a strong, fierce woman, and she isn’t afraid to show her emotions. She has this sassiness about her, and she’s fun. I really love playing her because there are so many elements to her character. I’ve never been bored when I’m Rebekah.” And I’ve never been bored watching her play Rebekah either, so it’s a win-win.
Back in November, The Originals hit living rooms across the nation with the CW’s most-watched Tuesday night line-up in four years, this just mere days after a series pick-up, at the time the series had only a handful of episodes under its belt. It’s clear that immortals – as inhumane as they can seem – know how to bring the numbers home. Holt, however, has other plans; on the rare chance that she too might one day become immortal, rather than scrounging the streets of New Orleans, picking up the pieces of her brother’s temper, she’d spend it elsewhere. “If I were immortal, I’d probably spend eternity on a beach in Mexico with a margarita in hand,” she says laughing. But since it doesn’t seem like her parallel self shows any signs of taking such advice, she has few wise words. “As annoying as it can be, I think I’d tell Rebekah that it’s probably smarter to think with your head than your heart at times. And although it is great that she loves and feels so fiercely, she should think a little before doing.” Perhaps multiple seasons down the line, but as of now, wearing her heart on her sleeve seems to be the only way the last living female Mikaelson knows how to live.
As if playing such a strong, no-nonsense woman wasn’t enough; Claire’s just a living, breathing human girl after all. She enjoys her fair share of binge watching on Netflix to the likes of House Of Cards. Another one of her favorite shows? Nation favorite, the politically sexy Scandal. “I love that show; it’s one of my all-time favorites. I’m a big television person. I always have been. I think there is so much viewing pleasure to be had. Television has really grown, and it’s such an amazing medium now, with so much quality.” When she’s not rooting for Olivia Pope or kicking ass on set, she’s an avid runner, and relishes in the adrenaline and relaxation such an activity can give you. “I love to run,” she says. “I know that no matter how I’m feeling, I can just put on my running shoes and hit the pavement. If there’s anything I can’t live without, it’s my family, music, and my running shoes.” Seems like the best grouping to me.
PHOTOGRAPHY AMANDA ELKINS (WWW.AMANDAELKINS.COM)
STYLING LISETTE MORA (WWW.LISETTEMORA.COM)
MAKEUP NICOLE WALMSLEY (WWW.NICOLEWALMSLEY.COM)
HAIR SIENREE AT CELESTINE AGENCY USING ORIBE
Production Bello Media Group | Words by Dio Anthony