JISELLE HENDERKOTT TALKS THE SUBSTANCE

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

Seeing the word-of-mouth ‘The Substance’ gotten is rather amazing. Of course you have had a couple of years knowing about what a creative rush the film is?

Yeah, it’s pretty crazy because it was my very first movie. I had never been on a film set before. It was quite the ride. And it’s even more amazing seeing the positive response from the public, because, when I first read Coralie’s script, I knew it was special. The dynamic on set was magical. There is a certain energy that film sets have that you can’t find anywhere else, all these people working toward the common goal of making a movie the best it can be. I was thrown directly into the experience. Coralie is super hands-on and puts you directly in her film’s universe. She knows exactly what she wants, and I love that. Her direction is super clear, which really helps the actor. I got to meet Margaret right before filming my scene, because she was filming her scene just after me. I was so nervous, but she came up and introduced herself and that really helped to calm my fears. Her showing kindness to me is something I won’t ever forget. We filmed the movie over two years ago, and now I have much more acting experience. So, I can look back on filming with much fondness for how far I’ve come. This movie solidified my love for acting and made me want to continue auditioning and pushing myself as an actor. To be honest, I didn’t have any news about the film for two years after we shot it. So, I didn’t really know what to expect. Then, one morning, I woke up and found out it’s going to Cannes in competition. I was simply over the moon for Coralie and everyone who worked so hard on this film.

As an actress you very much exist in a world in which the themes of ‘The Substance’ are very real. It can be a deeply shallow and toxic environment, not least for women, where so much value is being put on youth and beauty?

It’s great that you bring this topic up, because no, it’s not easy and it never has been. However, I try to put it in context and remember that the love I have for dancing and acting outweighs anything negative that I do go through. And, if the balance ever tips in the wrong direction, I know that I need to recenter myself and my inner world, taking care of myself first and foremost. The industry in and of itself is just a mirror of society at large and the unattainable beauty standards and expectations put on women. As women, we are overly sexualized from a very young age, whether that’s just in general or in dance or Hollywood. I have definitely gone through experiences where I was judged based on my outer physical appearance, which just sucks. I think everyone has gone through something that has innately changed them and the way they view their bodies. As a dancer, we can often be quite violent with our bodies if they don’t respond the way we want. We constantly look in mirrors during rehearsals, that can definitely play with the mind. These are the realities of the industry. I wish it wasn’t the case, but I believe talking about it helps create change. However, growing up, I had to learn self-acceptance little by little, but it wasn’t always easy. I grew up in Davenport, Iowa. I am grateful for my upbringing there, because it has instilled values in me that I will forever carry forward, like authenticity, determination and positivity. With time, I have learned that my mental health and wellbeing are more important than my job or how I am perceived by others. I’ve come to see rejection as redirection and not to take anything personally. But, while we are making strides in the industry and the world, so much work still needs to be done.

'The Substance' highlights this fight so perfectly. I do this job because I love it. I love sharing stories with others and maybe touching other people in a way that makes them think about themselves and this world we live in, in a different light. But I also value myself as a human being above all that, so I always come first. This balance hasn’t always been easy for me, but I’m learning to stand up for myself.

Do you think particularly your background in dance, with its unique approach to failure, has helped you navigate life as an actress?

Yes, definitely. I’ve faced a lot of setbacks, a lot of injuries and a lot of getting back up and trying again. I actually started my professional dance career quite late, at the age of twenty-five. A lot of people told me to not even try, because I was “too old.” I’m glad that I listened to myself and not to them, because I’ve had an amazing career as a dancer. It’s not the one I thought I would have, but it’s even better. The resilience required for dance has helped me in acting. I push myself to take on roles that don’t feel natural for me, or are outside my comfort zone. For example, I’m an American living in France and a lot of times I wouldn’t even think about auditioning for native French roles. But, I still go and audition because I believe in myself. I don’t like being put in boxes, so I’m actively working on taking on roles that push my self-perceived limits. This fall, I will be taking on a role that is the complete opposite of my natural temperament, and that’s what I love, seeing different facets of myself and humanity through the roles I play. It’s why I love acting so much.

Since this is your first film, can we assume that dance was what paved the way for you to pirouette into ‘The Substance’ as well?

Yes, this was my first ever film role, and I think I happened to be in the right place at the right time. Because I’m from Iowa, it’s not usual that someone moves abroad to France and tries to make it as a dancer. However, I have so much love for performing and speaking French that I decided to combine my passions. They just so happened to be looking for an American dancer for 'The Substance' in Paris in 2022. I originally applied to do something else on the film, and the casting director called me and said she thought I would be great for the role. I auditioned two to three times via self-tape, because we were just coming out of the pandemic. I was just having fun. I had zero expectations of actually booking the role. I was finishing my degree in acting, singing and dancing at a school in Paris, and I remember I got the call in a Starbucks after school. I started crying. I had waited a long time to book something like this. It’s true that when I look back on my life, I can see how all the little choices I made perfectly aligned for me to be there at the right time to audition for 'The Substance'. I’m grateful the casting director and Coralie took a chance on me, because I wouldn’t have the career I do now if they hadn’t.

How early in life did you wear the pointe shoes?

I started pointe at around eleven or twelve years old, because my dance teacher believed that feet have to develop more and get stronger before going on pointe. I’m glad my teacher believed this, because I have been able to dance on pointe for a very long time now, with little to no injuries. I don’t dance en pointe as often now, because I’ve been focusing on my acting career and dancing in a cabaret in France. However, whenever I get the chance, I go take a ballet class in Paris and dance just for the sheer joy of it. Those are my favorite days!

This film has led to more opportunities for you?

Yes, I have quite a few projects coming up. I’m going to be filming a French Netflix series in the South of France in November, and then I have my first French-speaking role in a short film that I should hopefully be filming early next year. I also stay busy by working on my own dance show that I am choreographing with a friend of mine in Paris. I can also be found from time to time working with the Paris Opera Ballet, Demoiselles Mi-Stick Cabaret or teaching cardio barre classes in Paris.