Esther McGregor’s journey: From auditions to Almodovar
A surprising audition
Esther McGregor, a multi-talented actress, model, musician, and tattoo artist, recently found herself in a whirlwind of emotions after auditioning for Pedro Almodovar’s highly anticipated English-language debut, “The Room Next Door”. At the time, she was busy shooting a short film and didn’t give the audition her usual attention. After sending in her tape, she realized the gravity of the opportunity and feared she had blown her chance.
“I saw Almodovar’s name and thought, ‘Oh my God, I butchered it, I ruined my opportunity!’” she recalls.
A dream come true
Three months later, McGregor received the unexpected news that she had landed the role. She was on the set of another film, “Babygirl”, directed by Halina Reijn and starring Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas, when she got the call. Banderas, who has a long history with Almodovar, was thrilled for her, and they even sent a selfie to the director.
“It was such a strange experience,” she says. “I had to not double take, but triple take, and was like ‘are you for real?’”
Small roles, big impact
Though her roles in “The Room Next Door” and “Babygirl” are small, they are significant. Both films are set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival, making McGregor one of the few young actors to have two films in competition. “The Room Next Door” is a comedic family drama about a “very imperfect mother and her resentful daughter,” while “Babygirl” is a steamy erotic thriller featuring Kidman as a powerful CEO who has an affair with a younger intern.
“A lot of my personal life and things that I’ve kind of gone through with my family weirdly kind of replicated itself on the screen,” she explains.
A personal connection
McGregor’s role in “Babygirl” had a personal resonance. She plays the teenage daughter of Kidman and Banderas, a character that mirrored her own experiences during her parents’ public split. Her father, Ewan McGregor, had a very public breakup with her mother, Eve Mavrakis, which deeply affected her.
“For me, that was the age when you shift and realize your parents are humans and make mistakes,” she notes.
Rekindling relationships
McGregor admits that her relationship with her father was strained for years. However, her first major role in the Disney+ series “Obi-Wan Kenobi” helped mend their relationship. She played a small role in the second episode, acting alongside her father for the first time.
“It was a big step in both our relationships and really helped rekindle things between us,” she says.
Embracing the ‘Nepo Baby’ label
McGregor proudly embraces the label of “Nepo Baby,” acknowledging the advantages her father’s fame has given her. However, she insists that her success is due to her hard work and talent.
“If I was shit, I’d be shit,” she asserts. “I don’t think I’d ever take being called a Nepo Baby negatively.”
A multifaceted talent
Beyond acting, McGregor has explored various creative outlets. She started the band French Thyme during COVID, released an EP, and became a licensed tattoo artist. She also modeled professionally, opening Miu Miu’s 2023 spring/summer show in Milan.
“I do a lot of runway modeling, but I’m also 5 foot 4, so I shouldn’t be doing a lot of runway modeling!” she laughs.
Focused on acting
Despite her diverse talents, McGregor is now fully focused on her acting career. She is currently filming the Amazon mini-series “You Were Liars” in Nova Scotia and is eager to continue honing her craft.
“This is what makes my heart tick and keeps me going,” she says.
Learning from the best
McGregor is keen to learn from experienced actors and directors. She describes her time on “The Room Next Door” as a “beautiful, beautiful experience” and admires Kidman’s ability to meditate before scenes.
“I haven’t got it yet, but one day,” she says of Kidman’s technique.
A journey of self-discovery
Interestingly, McGregor isn’t ready to seek acting advice from her father just yet. She wants to figure things out on her own before turning to him for guidance.
“I want to figure this out on my own and then be like, ‘Hey, I figured this out,’” she says.
Esther McGregor’s journey is a testament to her talent, hard work, and determination. As she continues to navigate the world of acting, she remains grounded and focused on her craft, eager to learn and grow.