Amalia Williamson - one to watch
actor and writer Amalia Williamson nails her role as Andi, sidekick to Brooke Shield’s character Allie, in season one of the Acorn TV hit You’re Killing Me. it is not surprisingly going to return for a 2nd season and has pushed this beautiful young talent into the one to watch arena. Amalia showed up for our shoot in Brooklyn with her newborn Brody and husband Brendan in tow. our studio was on the way to the Hampton’s where they spent some off time with Brooke. we captured a few candids of Amalia in her favorite denim jacket with her glowing makeup-free skin and luscious locks. scroll down for her thoughts on her stellar communication skills, that fabulous friendship with her co-star, self-care, advice to new parent couples, getting back to work, period piece goals, bare essentials, and a baby product that doubles as a lip plumper.
the bare magazine: you and Brooke Shields are quite the dynamic duo. do you feel your acting chemistry and real life friendship added something unique / special to the tone of the show?
Amalia Williamson: Absolutely. We just get each other. We were thrown into the trenches together pretty early on. Long shoot days, early mornings, and filming in remote locations outside of Halifax, Nova Scotia meant we often stayed together, and that naturally brought us closer. We laughed a lot. Brooke and I have a really similar sense of humour, which definitely helps.
We both love movies—especially comedies—so we'd spend hours talking about films we loved or quoting scenes back and forth. We also share an obsession with antiquing and vintage shopping. Any day off usually involved wandering through little antique stores, convincing ourselves we needed something that definitely didn't fit in a suitcase. It was really nice to finally be able to have a drink with her once we finished shooting.
I think that comfort translated on screen. When you genuinely trust and enjoy the person you're working with, it gives you permission to play a little more, and I think audiences can feel that.
bare: with the show on hiatus does Brooke still check in and help guide/advise you on being a new momma?
AW: Yes she does ! I have been able to see her 3 times so far this summer which has been so nice. My husband Brendan, and son Brody visited her in the Hamptons and that was really lovely. She rocked Brody to sleep and told him stories. Once baby was asleep Brooke and I spent 5 hours binging Widow’s Bay. It was a perfect night for us.
It has been such a blessing to have her just a phone call away. She’s lived through every stage of motherhood and has this amazing ability to remind me that whatever feels overwhelming in the moment is usually just a phase. I called her asking for advice when it came to getting myself and my 6 week old to the premiere of our show in New York and she talked me through navigating that whole weekend. Sometimes you don't even need advice—you just need someone who's been there to tell you you're doing okay.
bare: when do you go back to filming season 2? what are you looking forward to the most? are you envisioning the way your character Andi might evolve?
AW: We start filming sometime in September, and I honestly can't wait to get back. I'm most excited to dive back into the mysteries. I've always been a sucker for a good mystery, whether it's books, movies, or television, so getting to live inside one every day is really fun. I'm especially anxious to find out where Andi's search for her missing mom goes because that's such an emotional part of her story.
And, of course, Andi's love life is always entertaining, so I'm looking forward to seeing how much trouble she can get herself into next.
bare: when we met up for our shoot you were still feeling the physical challenges after giving birth. how have you dealt and what have you learned about your body and taking care of yourself?
AW: It's been hard trying to "bounce back." I've actually decided I hate that expression because it puts so much unnecessary pressure on women. Recovery looks so different for everyone. I've really had to slow down throughout pregnancy and even more so postpartum, and that's been difficult for me because once I start something, I usually can't rest until it's done. Motherhood doesn't really care about your to-do list. If Brody needs me, everything else waits, and honestly, that's been one of the biggest adjustments.
Recovering from a C-section has also been much slower than I anticipated. Accepting that I wasn't going to feel like myself overnight has been frustrating at times, but it's also forced me to be kinder to myself. I've learned that healing isn't something you can rush, and neither is becoming a mom. Both take time, and I'm slowly learning to give myself a little more grace every day.
bare: what advice would you give a couple maneuvering a 1st child together?
AW: Communication is key. My husband Brendan and I talk a lot about how we are feeling. Some days if I had a particularly sleepless night and I’m operating at a 40%, I need Brendan to help me make up that 60%. Some days it’s the other way around. I would absolutely love to live in a world where he could magically read my mind and know exactly what I need before I ask but unfortunately that's not how marriage works. So we've learned that saying, "I need help," isn't a failure. It's actually what keeps us functioning as a team.
I'd also say to give each other a lot of grace. You're both learning at the same time, you're both exhausted, and nobody gets it right every day. Remembering that you're on the same team makes all the difference.
bare: do you see becoming a mom as an enhancement to your craft... more to draw from?
AW: Absolutely. I haven't been back on set yet since having Brody, but I already feel like my heart has doubled in size. Everything feels a little more meaningful now, and I definitely experience emotions much more deeply than I used to. Motherhood has given me a whole new understanding of unconditional love, fear, vulnerability, and joy. I think having lived through this chapter of my life will only make me a more empathetic actor.
bare: what are some dream roles or writing projects you'd like to sink into?
AW: I'm currently working on a few screenplays of my own whenever I can find time between naps. Comedy has always been my first love, so I'm writing a romantic comedy with my collaborator, Austen Alexander, and a horror-comedy on my own. Writing has become such a creative outlet for me because it gives me the opportunity to create the kinds of characters and stories I'd love to see on screen.
As for acting, I'd love to do a period piece someday. Something with beautiful costumes, complicated women, and high stakes. And if there are witches or vampires involved, even better.
bare: you brought a few favorite things to our shoot, including a baby product you also use to create luscious lips……
AW: Oh my gosh Lanolin! It’s a nipple cream for cracked nips but it is so hydrating for your lips. So cheap too. 10/10 recommend as lip balm.
bare: please list your current top 5 bare essentials.
AW:
Colour Science “Glow” SPF.
Loreal Double Extend tubing mascara. Anyone who knows me knows that this is my go to. I never use another mascara, and I use it on every project I work on.
Blush. So much blush. I currently really like the Mac Strobe Beam Illuminating blush in the color Plummy Bare.
Hourglass Vanish Seamless concealer brush (but any of their brushes).
Beef Tallow at night as my moisturizer.
photo/makeup: tina turnbow
hair: corey tuttle using oribe
amalia wears her own clothing
shot at bare studio brooklyn
