Gugu Mbatha-Raw is on the cover of the March issue of Town & Country. She’s in gorgeous formfitting white gown with a bustle serving as a subtle nod to her Belle character. T&C’s profile of Gugu, 31, is just as flattering as their classy editorial. She’s a formidable actor with an interesting background, and multiple actors gush to T&C about her talent and the pleasure of working with her. I know Gugu from Belle, in which she plays historical figure Dido Elizabeth Belle. After seeing the trailer, I assumed it would be an overwrought period film, but it’s not. Belle is a delight and Gugu plays the lead with such grace and vulnerability. I’m surprised she wasn’t nominated for an Oscar for that role, but I suppose it would be even more of a surprise if the Academy actually paid attention to actors of color for more than a year in a row. (Despite coming out in 2013 at TIFF, Belle was eligible this year.)

The article notes that Gugu played an entirely different kind of character, a narcissistic pop star, in Beyond The Lights, out last year. She’s also in that bloated scifi mess, Jupiter Ascending. (Who isn’t in that? I almost feel sorry for the Wachowskis, because I actually liked Cloud Atlas. So did the content director for Netflix apparently.)

Here are some quotes from Gugu in Town & Country, with much more in their full article:

On acclaim for her film Beyond The Lights
I mean, it’s really lovely. It’s great for the movie to, you know, have that establishment stamp from the New York Time. But reviews, numbers—they’re not for me. They’re for other people to read and absorb and analyze.

On her personal style
In my daily life it’s about being comfortable. I wear a lot of black. But now, to promote these films, I’ve been working with a stylist. I’ve had some fun Cinderella moments in red carpet land. I love the Audrey Hepburns of this world, and I think Cate Blanchett is stunning and always nails it.

It’s important to know that it’s okay to be your natural self. It’s also okay to dress up and wear makeup and hair extensions if you want, so long as you don’t feel like you need that or will be worthless without it. The point is, it should be a choice.

[From Town & Country]

Gugu strikes me as smart and grounded here. Her quotes about going natural vs. glamming it up are in reference to her Beyond The Lights character. I’ll have to rent that. Gugu has three films coming out this year including The Whole Truth with Keanu Reeves and Renee Zellweger and Concussion with Will Smith. I was hoping to see more of her and it looks like that’s about to happen.

photos credit: Victor Demarchelier for Town & Country via E! and WENN.com