Zoe Terakes <3

Zoe Terakes. Where do we start? The Sydney born, non-binary, rising star, human rights advocate, Aries sun/rising, Libra moon, prince, sits down with DR to talk all things between growing up, acting, conventionalities of the film industry and up n coming tingz! 

  

WHAT DOES ESCAPE:

TASTE LIKE?
Sea salt on my girlfriend’s skin after the beach. And also ice cream. 

FEEL LIKE?
Ease and calm and comfort and ocean. And sunburn. 

SMELL LIKE?
The sea breeze and coffee. 

SOUND LIKE?
Jeff Buckley on a road trip. Julia Jacklin too. 

 

YOU’RE CURRENTLY LIVING BETWEEN BYRON BAY AND SYDNEY, HOW’S THE VIBE UP NORTH?

It’s pretty chaotic in terms of how busy it is. So many people holidaying here makes for a pretty crazy vibe. But living and working here on the whole is fuckin bliss. The surf is good and the weather is glorious and covid is nowhere to be seen. 

YOU ARE AN AMAZING ROLE MODEL FOR ALL PEOPLE OUT THERE,  WHAT DRIVES YOU TO HAVE A VOICE?

Thank you. I think if I had someone being vocal and open and truthful to look up to when I was younger, I would’ve figured stuff out a whole lot sooner and things would’ve been a whole lot easier. but hey. no right or wrong way to live ya truth and everybody’s path is different. so the whole thing feels bigger than me. I wanna be the voice that I didn’t have when I was a kid. I needed it. 

WE LOVE YOUR CHARACTER ‘REB’ IN WENTWORTH, DO YOU IDENTIFY WITH THEM AND HOW SO, IF SO?

Thanks. Yes. Greatly. Playing Reb allowed me to explore parts of my masculinity I had been too afraid of in the past. He liberated me. Living in Reb’s shoes for a while was so elemental in my own growth as an actor and as a trans person. I am forever indebted to him for it. 

ANY PROJECTS COMING UP WE CAN KNOW ABOUT?

I’m not allowed to say I’m afraid. But yes. Big things. I just gotta keep my big mouth shut about em for a while longer. 

ITS ALWAYS BEEN DISAPPOINTING GROWING UP SEEING STRAIGHT PEOPLE PLAY GAY ROLES AND CISGENDER PEOPLE PLAYING TRANSGENDER PEOPLE. DO YOU THINK SOON THAT’LL BE A THING OF THE PAST?

I desperately hope so. Those days should be far far behind us. Alas. All we can do is keep demanding that transgender characters are played by transgender people, and not tolerate anything less. It is unacceptable and nonnegotiable. If anyone wants to know why, go read any interview I’ve ever done. I’m bound to be talking about it. Also watch interviews with MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Joey Solloway and Alok Vaid-Menon. They are all far more articulate on the whole thing than I am. Also watch POSE. If you still don’t think trans people should be playing trans roles after watching that, then ciao!

ANY DREAM KIND OF ROLES FOR YOU?

Oh yes. The classics. Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra. Blanche DuBois in Streetcar. Maggie or Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. Biff in Death of a Salesman. Eddie in View From the Bridge. Danny in Danny and the Deep Blue Sea. But also if they ever remake Boys Don’t Cry the film... yes please. 

 

WHAT IS OVER THE 2020 RAINBOUU?

Brighter braver days always. Getting to know myself better. Growing up whilst ALWAYS remaining a kid. Getting better at surfing and guitar and skating and acting and drawing. Getting better at being a good person and friend and partner. Becoming more at ease with myself. Trusting my intuition. Calmer kinder days ahead. For everybody. 

 

Zoe is wearing the Granny Floral Long Sleeve Shirt and Rainbouu Logo White Ice Tee