You star’s tip to women to avoid being ‘victimized’

Have you ever been stalked?

That was the first question Funfare asked Elizabeth Lail in an exclusive e-mail interview. Very relevant since in the 10-episode series You (now streaming on Netflix), she plays Guinevere Beck, a young writer victimized by a stalker played by Penn Badgley who was here with co-star Fil-Canadian Shay Mitchell last Monday to promote the series.

“No, never,” said Lail. “Knock on wood.”

Those who have been following the series (described as “addictive”) should know what happened to Guinevere Beck. You tries to answer the question “What would you do for love?” as a brilliant bookstore manager Joe Goldberg (Badgley) crosses paths with an aspiring young writer and develops an awkward crush on her that turns sinister when he becomes obsessive. If you haven’t watched the series, turn to Netflix and find out what happens next (sorry, can’t reveal the ending).

Turning 27 on March 25, Lail was born in Williamson County, Texas, and grew up in Asheboro, North Carolina, where she finished high school, and then attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. After graduation, Lail worked mostly in student film productions (Model Airplane and Without). She moved to New York and got cast as Anna in the fourth season of Once Upon a Time and as lead in the horror series Dead of Summer. She bagged the starring role in You in July 2017.

Excerpts from our interview:

What do you find interesting about the series?

“You are inside of Joe’s head, and actually agree with him even though his actions are insane.”

What about your character Guinevere Beck? What do you find interesting about her?”

“She feels so real. She is struggling to have a healthy relationship with herself and others. I like how she is imperfect.”

How are you like her and different from her?

“We are both artists living in New York. We both are adulting, sometimes more successfully than others. She is better at speaking up for herself than I am. But I am practicing that as well. I’d say I have more self-love. I’m a bit further along than her.”

Have you ever found yourself in the same situation as Guinevere Beck is in the story?

“No, thank goodness. But I have been put on pedal stools before, and that never turns out well for either party involved.”

How would you deal with a guy like Joe Goldberg?

“For me, his greatest red flag is that he has no friends! I like to think that would scare me away.”

You said you have never been stalked. Any piece of advice (especially) to women to avoid being “victimized”?

“Keep calling out injustices around you. Micro sexism can grow into a much greater problem. Practice speaking up and self-love. There is a community out there ready to grow with you. Find them.”

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