27 June 2023 |
The Omega ambassador on her favorite audition memory and that infamous Tony Awards leap.
Ariana DeBose has had a very eventful two years. Between winning the Oscar in 2022 for Best Supporting Actress in West Side Story and multiple stints hosting the BAFTA and Tony Awards, she’s become a household name for her singing, dancing, and acting talents. Fashion also is an interest for the multi-hyphenate, namely her partnership with Omega, the luxury watch brand.
We caught up with DeBose as she helped the brand open their latest store in Atlanta’s luxe Buckhead area. The new space in Phipps Plaza reflects Omega’s global concept which features a nature-inspired cream and champagne interior that offers a space to shop the brand’s array of timepieces and accessories. Together with Amaud Michon, the US Brand President and CEO of Swatch Group, the two celebrated the opening.
Read on to hear her favorite watch memory, where she keeps her Oscar, and the time she thought she almost blew a major audition with Lin Manuel Miranda.
1) What’s your favorite watch memory?
Well, I have a few, but I think the one that sticks out the most is winning an Oscar wearing an Omega timepiece.
2) What’s your favorite Omega style and how do you like to wear the watches?
Omega’s so versatile. I can wear one every day, or I can wear it to the Oscars and I love that. Like I can go from a Constellation to a [De Ville] Ladymatic and there’s a time piece for every moment that I’m in.
3) So the leap you did at the Tony’s was like a viral hit. What was the experience hosting like?
I think this year’s Tony’s was a massive success given the circumstances, as we were going on during the WGA strike. I’m grateful to have been able to find a compromise and it looks like there was a ticket sales boost for the shows the week after! But the process of putting that together, it was highly stressful. I was very calm leading up to it and then about an hour before I got the worst bout of stage fright I’ve ever experienced in my life, my god. But I hung out with my dancers and they had me wrapped up in love so I was fine after that.
4) Speaking of love, what makes you most proud as we’re celebrating Pride Month?
I love seeing people walk in their truth and then seeing expressions of pride. Speaking of the Tony’s, seeing Jay Harrison Ghee and Alex Newell honored with awards was such a beautiful thing to happen during Pride Month. To highlight these incredible humans in our beautiful family, that was really special.
5) What does joy mean to you outside of Pride?
Joy is a state of being and a beautiful thing to experience every day. That’s a matter of perspective, right? I look for joy everywhere I go and it could be in the smallest things.
6) There’s a funny story about how Lady Gaga has her Oscar in her bathroom. Where do you keep yours?
Honestly, I’m boring. I’m serving like basic Sally over here. Mine is still on my fireplace mantle, where I can see it. And no, I haven’t hung anything on it, put a flower on its ear, or anything like that. There’s my Oscar and there’s a picture of me and Steven Spielberg from the AFI luncheon.
7) Everyone has a funny audition story that they always remember. What’s yours?
There are several, oh my god. One of my first auditions was for Bring It On, the Musical. I’ve been given this material to learn that I didn’t learn it correctly and I had to do it in front of Lin Manuel Miranda. I performed his material in front of him wrong It was iconic somehow. Still got the job, of course. But, i don’t know how you live that down!
8) It’s summer vacation. Do you have any fun plans that you’re excited about?
I’m just excited about taking time off in general. I’ve been working, working, working for the past two years. So I’m scraping my way to the end of June and then I’m taking all of July off. Who knows where I will go? But I can’t wait to spontaneously go somewhere fabulous.
9) Favorite souvenir from your travels?.
I have a habit of buying art. For example, I spent time in Rome last August, walked into a random art gallery, and bought a piece from a local artist. That’s what I brought home.
10) Favorite go-to late night snack?
If there’s no ice cream to be had, then it’s Oreos and peanut butter, together. I sound like a 12 year old. [laughs]
