Caroline Arapoglou
actor and producer Caroline Arapoglou stars as Rose Cameron in the fifth and final season of Outer Banks which premieres 8/20 on Netflix. we were thrilled when this busy mom of 2 swung by our Brooklyn studio for a quick shoot and a rooftop sunset. she shared thoughts on how the finale feels like a love letter to the fans and her OBX cast mates who have made an indelible mark on her life. scroll on down for her skincare regime, love for coffee, obsession with dumbbells and her wonderful family. though OBX is coming to a close you can be sure to be seeing more of this gifted goddess soon!
the bare magazine: what messages/feelings do you hope the audience will take away after seeing the final season?
Caroline Arapoglou: The show really exploded during the pandemic when everyone was stuck at home and needed to escape…so many parents tell me that they watched it with their kids during lockdown and then continued to share it with them even once we were all out and about again. I think our final season brings back some of the sun-drenched escapism…it feels really joyful to me. The finale in particular feels like a love letter to the fans. I was really emotional watching the last fifteen minutes. Just grateful and joyful and nostalgic…that’s what I hope the audience feels.
bare: in what way has being a part of OBX changed you, and helped you grow personally and professionally?
CA: Spending six years with a character is really a rare gift, especially in the age of streaming. So much happened in my life in those six years…the pandemic, I became a mom and then was pregnant with my second while filming the finale. It taught me how to sustain a character and a story year after year. It taught me how to film so much on location in sweltering heat and in freezing cold, sometimes in the same season! I learned how to shoot driving scenes on a virtual production stage and also on a live road. It was kind of TV bootcamp in many ways.
When we started the first season, I was working, but I obviously hadn’t tackled anything of this magnitude. In hindsight I was actually pretty green in terms of spending so much time on set and carrying so much water for the plot. I’m so lucky that my counterpart in those first few seasons was Chip-he really took me under his wing without ever making me feel like I didn’t know what I was doing.
bare: can you share a few words off the top of your head to describe a few of your costars……
CA:
A really wonderful leader and quarterback of the show.
Warm and lovely and authentic.
That’s my baby girl :)
The best scene partner and a dear, dear friend.
Superstar!
We did a lot of screaming at each other over these six years but I adore him.
bare: describe a typical day in your life lately?
CA: My life is a little bit like Hannah Montana right now. Most days I am with my kids being mom. My baby is three months old so I’m getting up with him very early, making coffee…hanging with my kids and playing dress up and belting Frozen and making smoothies and playing with slime. It’s the most tired I’ve ever been and the most fun I’ve ever had. Then every once in awhile I have a day where I’m doing fittings and maybe a photoshoot on a Brooklyn rooftop and talking about the show. More Miley days than Hannah days which is the perfect balance for me.
bare: what is your go-to skincare routine and favorite treatment to keep it so glowing and smooth?
CA: How much time do you have?! Okay so I have been on a journey with my skin and I am beyond happy with it now and that was not always the case. Kathryn Barnidge at Skin Pharm in Atlanta has truly changed my skin…and my life, I’m not exaggerating. I let her do whatever she wants because I trust her completely and my skin has never looked better. We’ve been doing micro needling with PDGF lately and the difference in my skin is unreal. PDGF stands for platelet derived growth factors…it’s basically a synthetic form of plasma you’d normally get from PRP (which I also love) and it gets stamped into your skin. I’m not exaggerating when I say I hardly wear makeup anymore on a day to day basis.
I could talk about this forever because I am pretty acne prone and I know what it’s like to have to show up to the makeup trailer early in the morning with no makeup on, completely broken out. I am so lucky to have worked with amazing makeup artists over the years but regardless of how good the makeup is, struggling with your skin can feel really vulnerable. I don’t take a good skin day for granted.
bare: can you share a few dream acting projects or creators you'd love to work with?
CA: I am really itching to do a comedy. Something where I don’t have to be put together and can look insane and make big choices. The last time I really felt like I got to be funny was doing The Taming by Lauren Gunderson on stage in Atlanta. Making a huge comedic choice that is sort of out there is so terrifying and thrilling because for a split second you’re kind of hanging in the balance to see if it’s going to land or not. And when it does it feels incredible, and when it doesn’t its horrifying but also incredibly freeing!
I’m also dying to get back on stage. There are so many creators I admire that I’d love to cross paths with someday. I just saw Cat Cohen’s new show at the Lucille Lortel a couple of weeks ago and it was like a fever dream of my favorite type of story telling - hilarious and self aware and poignant without being maudlin…with fab costumes and great music. I was obsessed. I tried to see The Winter’s Tale at Shakespeare in the park but it got rained out! I’m a big Lily Rabe fan. She’s fantastic in everything.
bare: please list current your top 5 bare essentials (they can be anyone or anything you can't imagine life without).
CA: The first three are obvious, my husband and kids…I mean, they’re everything. Our family is my dream come true.
Next I would say coffee. I’m not exaggerating when I say my coffee is the last thing I think about when I fall asleep and the first think I think about when I wake up. I have it the same way every morning, even when I travel. I steam half and half and a little maple syrup, then I froth it with collagen which makes it super foamy and then add some dark roast. It’s perfect. I’m on a plane right now typing this and wishing I had one in front of me. (Do the collagen and half and half have to count towards my five things?? I’m counting coffee as one!)
My fifth would probably be dumbbells? I’ve been working with Steph Watson and her program has been a lifesaver. I’ve been so busy since having my son and having workouts that are catered to how much energy I have, if I’ve slept or not, what equipment I have…it’s been a game changer. When I’m lifting weights and moving I’m really a much nicer person. I’ve gotten to the point where if I go a few days without moving my body I can really feel it mentally.
So my family, coffee, and dumbbells. I’m realizing now that this list is so basic but those are my real answers and I’m not changing them!
