Pauline Hoarau Lands Her First Film Role In Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets
Hollywood has long had a love affair with the catwalk. Released this month, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets stars Pauline Hoarau as Empress Aloï, an alien queen. Directed by Luc Besson, the film brings to life a French superhero comic which was launched in 1967. Discovered through Elite Model Look Reunion, Pauline Hoarau stars in her first film role, alongside Elite model-turned-actresses Cara Delevigne and Sasha Luss. We caught up with Pauline to talk acting lessons, getting into character and how acting compares to walking for Chanel.
Photo © Valerian / STX Entertainment
Luc Besson came to Elite Paris to cast the film - did you have to do any more auditions?
No I didn’t. I met Luc a few times and he asked me if I would be interested in getting a part in his next movie, I started taking acting classes straight away.
Photo © Instagram
The film had a huge budget! What was it like to be part of it all?
I had never been on a movie set before, we shot in studio, on blue screen and had to wear motion capture suits. Absolutely everything was new to me! I was amazed by all of it, the huge sets, the organization, the number of people working on the movie. Everything was over the top and so inspiring, sometimes I was even coming on set to watch Luc work, even if I was not shooting that day.
Photo © Valerian / STX Entertainment
You play the character of the Empress. Tell us about her! Did you like her?
Aloï is the empress of the Pearls, people from Planet Mül. She is loving, caring, peaceful. She lived atrocities but remains a beautiful and pure heart. She is an example of forgiveness, how could you not love her…
Photo © Melodie Jeng for Models.com (with Antonina Petkovic, left)
Are you excited for the film to come out?
I’m soooo excited! Luc Besson has been working on that movie for years, it took a year of post-production and it’s finally here!! I’ve actually already seen it but I can’t wait for my friends and family to see what I’ve been talking about for months and months!
Photo © Marchesa
You have walked in some enormous fashion shows. Was this more exciting - or the same?
Acting and walking in a fashion show is a completely different story. Working on a character and shooting that movie was so exciting to me. When you act, you’re bringing so much more of yourself, your voice, your emotions…
The director and some of the cast are very famous - what were they like to work with?
I shot with Dane [DeHaan], Cara [Delevigne] and mostly Aymeline [Valade] and Sasha [Luss] who are my husband and daughter in the movie. Luc is really has a clear idea of what he wants and is going to help all his actors go in that direction. His tips are so useful, he trusted me and he helped me to trust myself.
Photo © Luc Besson via Instagram
You have had acting classes in New York, but do you think being a model gives you an extra layer of experience you can bring to acting?
I would actually say the opposite is true. Acting brings an extra layer to modelling. In acting you learn how to be free and more confident in yourself, which is a huge asset in modelling. Valerian is a step in the film industry, I’m looking forward to the next one!
Photo © Pauline Hoarau via Instagram
You have already been to the premiere in Los Angeles - what was it like? What will you be wearing for the next one?
It was incredible! I had a lot fun! I can't wait to come to London and then Paris! I wore an Iris Van Herpen dress at the premiere in Los Angeles, and I’m still looking into the next outfits… so it will be a surprise!
