I would do anything for the right role, I’d shave all my hair off and my eyebrows, I’d gain weight, sky dive, jump off buildings, do my own stunts, I want to learn all there is to learn.
This is your third cover of i-D, tell us about the day of the shoot?
It was hysterical… very funny! I love working with Sarah and her husband Richard. We had so much creative freedom to play around. I got to play the high fashion clown and Charlie Chaplin too, and I got to be crazy which is always fun.
You recently said, “I want to make music, I want to act, I want to sing, I want to do something that doesn’t make my skin erupt”, can you elaborate?
I mean that I need to do things professionally or as a hobby that I realIy care about and I need a really creative outlet where I can push myself harder. I find it unnatural to not be passionate about my work.
You’re making the move into acting. What are you working on at the moment and how does it differ to modelling?
You’re going to have wait and see!
Come on, you can tell us! Word on the street is that you’ve been cast in Michael Winterbottom’s Amanda Knox inspired film Face of an Angel… are you worried about what is inevitably going to be challenging role?
I’m always scared of the future, but Michael is an incredible director and I’m working with an incredible cast. With acting, you’re essentially learning on the job.
Does this make you anxious? Has anybody given you any tips?
I do get anxious, but with acting I can use that anxiousness. Michael told me that you can’t teach natural talent and natural ability. He’s never seen a bad actor go to lessons and become good, only a good actor become an even better one.
Would you consider taking on a part that requires you to change your appearance, for instance shave your head or gain weight?
Yes, I don’t care. I’d shave all my hair off and my eyebrows, I’d gain weight, I would do anything, sky dive, jump off buildings, do my own stunts, I want to learn all there is to learn.
Which film would you have loved to play the lead role in?
Cat Woman and Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
What’s it like having ‘Delevingners’?
None of this would have been possible without my Delevingners; they drive me to want to make them proud and to work even harder. I want them all to realise that their dreams are possible.
Why do you think your fans love you so much?
I have no idea… because I love them so much? My relationship with all of them is so weird and important.
What’s the sweetest thing a fan has ever done for you?
A little girl from Brazil sent me a 40-page scrapbook of letters and pictures and eyebrow cards, and asked me to marry her at the end, it was very meaningfully written and she had made such an effort, it was the sweetest thing. I get a lot of really thoughtful messages and words from fans.
Has a fan ever taken it too far?
I’ve had a few odd men creeping around my home and that’s never fun.
Do you ever want to just scream at the paparazzi?
Yes, I tried to punch one in the face the other day. I’m worried that I’m going to get into trouble one day. The pictures never tell the whole story, they don’t show the provocation from some of the paparazzi, and how some of them just want to provoke you and force an extreme reaction from you in order to get their story.
Do you have days when it’s hard to adhere to the fun, face-pulling character that everyone expects?
Yeah, it is really hard some days. Everyone, including me, has off days. But I try my best to keep happy the way everyone around me does, and to keep up moral. Of course, I’m only human. I try and be real and keep my life real. I don’t expect anyone to think I’m always perfect because I’m not. No one is.
You post lots of deep and meaningful advice on your Instagram. What is your life mantra, and how do you adhere to it?
Work hard, play harder… don’t worry be happy.
Do you keep a diary?
I used to film everything and keep a diary that way, but I can’t keep up with a regular journal now, so I try and record my memories by writing songs and through my music.
What were you like at school?
Loud, cheeky and stubborn, I didn’t like being told what do. Every report used to say, “Cara needs to concentrate more and stop distracting other people in the class.” I’ve always liked making people laugh, so at school I would move all the desks forward when the teacher’s back was turned, so that they would be stacked at the front of the class when she turned round, it was really funny.
What does your bedroom look like?
It’s a complete tip like the inside of my head. I inherited the hoarding gene from my mum’s side and can’t throw anything away. I hoard stuffed things, tickets, memories and wristbands from festivals.
What do you wear in bed?
Nothing usually.
What happened in your last dream?
There was this weird cruise ship that could fly, I always dream about flying. It wasn’t actually flying it was kind of falling really slowly and then going up again, and then falling slowly. Very weird…
Where is your favourite place in the world?
Nothing beats the UK, either London or the British countryside, I always miss home.
Do you think you’re beautiful?
As a person I hope yes. The only important thing is if I am beautiful on the inside.
What is your fail-safe model pose?
I’m actually set by default on “tongue out and crossed eyeballs”; I can’t control my tongue it always comes out. My actual pose is me trying to look normal.
What are you most insecure about?
My body because I’d like to be curvier.
When do you feel most sexy?
When I’m trying to make my move on someone or in sexy underwear.
When do you feel at your most vulnerable?
When I’m alone.
Do you like being famous?
There are pros and cons. I want to be famous for things I’m really proud of and not just for modelling.
How do your sisters and parents feel about your fame?
It can be quite difficult for them at times when they’re put under pressure and put under the spotlight.
Do you get on with your parents?
Yes, I love them. They is wicked and totally down with the kids.
What was the best party you’ve ever been to?
That’s a really hard question… err it was a rave in a cave in Ibiza.
What was the last thing you cried about?
I was on plane coming back from New York and I was watching Epic, the animated children’s film, and I cried like a five year old.
Who do you go to when you need a shoulder to cry on?
Different people for different things.
Where do you go to get away?
My drum kit.
What was the last thing that made you laugh?
I’ve been laughing all morning about ridiculous things.
Have you ever been heart-broken?
Fuck yeah.
Have you ever broken anyone’s heart?
Yes, but I wish no…
Who would be your dream date?
That’s easy. Eminem.
If you were drumming in your dream band, who would be your ultimate band-mates (dead or alive)?
Stevie Nicks, Bob Marley, Prince, Eminem, Lauryn Hill and Jimi Hendrix.
Do you have any secret obsessions or strange habits?
I’m far too into my scrap booking and knitting… no seriously they change every day…
Can you use this space to get something off your chest?
Maybe if you read between the lines, as I tend to be a bit cryptic…
Credits
Photography Richard Bush
Fashion Direction Sarah Richardson
Hair Chi Wong at Julian Watson Agency using Fudge
Make-up Miranda Joyce at Streeters using NARS Cosmetics
Nail technician Sophy Robson at Streeters using Leighton Denny
Photography assistance Peter Carter, Richard Round Turner
Digital operator Dimitri Ramazankhani at ProVision Studios
Styling assistance Alice Lefons, Garance Chaplain
Hair assistance Diego Lima, Joshua Knight
Retouching Andy Greit at Love Retouch
Model Cara Delevingne at Storm