Before we start, is there a story behind your name? It’s pretty unusual.
[Laughs] Yeah it is quite unusual. My mum grew up with a Mitzi and she was always jealous her name wasn’t Mitzi.
People might recognize you from The Code on ABC, how’s the TV business going?
Yeah it’s good, The Code was awesome to work on. I’m shooting a different ABC drama called Hiding at the moment, it’s about this family who goes into witness protection and I’m like the school bitch.
You’re only 15, how do you find balancing modelling and acting with going to school?
It’s not too bad. I much prefer being busy than going to school and not doing anything else. I go to a performing arts school, it’s pretty flexible, they don’t care really.
When everyone is a performer, is it competitive over who has the most work?
I’ve never experienced any of that. I’m sure there is a degree of that but it’s not too prevalent.
Did you always want to be an actress?
Yeah, since I was five I’ve always wanted to do it. I got an agent when I was about nine and then I got my first job when I was like 10.
Do you like acting or modelling more?
It’s so hard to say, they’re really different. But acting is kind of my first love, so that will always be my favourite. I felt so much more comfortable modelling than I think I would have if I had never acted.
How do you find navigating the fashion world when you’re only a baby?
It’s not too bad. I don’t feel like I’ve had that much experience doing it, but everyone has been so lovely. I don’t really feel 15, I forget, then when I tell people they’re like, “You’re such a baby!”
Who is your hero?
My personal hero? Probably, my mum. She’s just so supportive and I love her approach to life, like nothing is too big of a deal. I think that’s good to keep in mind.
What was the first movie you saw as a kid that made you think that you wanted to do this.
Rabbit Proof Fence, I loved that. I was like four and I cried my eyes out. I remember being amazed that something could make such a big impact on you.
That’s a pretty sophisticated choice. I thought you were going to say The Wizard of Oz.
[Laughs] No! I don’t think I’ve ever seen The Wizard of Oz. My dad’s a cinematographer. So I’ve kind of been exposed to more sophisticated movies I think.
Is your whole family artistic?
We are in some ways. But my dad and I kind of stick out in the family. We’re the more artistic ones.
When you decided to get into acting was your dad like: “No you can’t!”
Both my parents were like, “We don’t really want you to do this.” But I begged and begged for years and then finally they let me. I got cast in a short film and my parents didn’t think I’d be very good but were surprised with how good I was. Then for my Christmas present I asked for an agent.
What do you think is the biggest misconception around the actress slash model phenomenon?
I think a lot of models make it seem very similar, but they’re totally different, people get the idea that they kind of go hand in hand. Models think that there’s more acting in modeling than there is, so they assume that they can act.
Credits
Text Wendy Syfret
Photography Bowen Arico @ Company 1
Model Mitzi @ Priscillas
Styling Peter Simon Phillips @ Company 1
Hair and make-up Molly Oakfield @ Company1
Styling assistance April Gosper & Lulu Custance