Everything You Need to Know About Ella Balinska, the Newest Charlie's Angel

From ELLE

On November 15, three new stars will enter the Charlie's Angels film universe. Viewers will likely recognize Kristen Stewart and Aladdin's Naomi Scott, but co-star Ella Balinska is a less familiar face, stepping into an iconic franchise as a relative unknown. Here, five things to know about the up-and-coming performer, from her British background to her enviable style.

Charlie's Angels is her first lead role in a movie

A scroll through any one of Balinska's social feeds shows the actor's excitement for the upcoming reboot. In the movie, she plays ex-MI6 agent Jane Kano, a gadget-savvy intelligence operative who romances Noah Centineo's character. It's Balinska's first big break since starring in the Sky teen drama The Athena.

Balinska recently spoke to ELLE U.K. about what she hopes audiences take from a 2019 update of Charlie's Angels. "We had this amazing opportunity to inspire a whole new generation who will watch the film and take something quite different from the other one," Balinska said. "It’s through a lens which is a really empowered narrative with smart, intelligent, hardworking, witty, and talented characters. You can look at them and see them echoed in real life through your friends, family members, and colleagues too."

She's a fan of anime movies

Balinska told British Vogue in October 2018 that she was excited to take on a role in Charlie's Angels after admiring characters in Studio Ghibli films such as Princess Mononoke, Nausicaa, and Howl's Moving Castle. She also leaned into her history of running track and throwing javelin while training for the movie.

She hails from London

Balinska's parents are English model-turned-chef Lorraine Pascale and Polish entrepreneur Kaz Balinski-Jundzill. She discussed her upbringing in her British Vogue interview. “There were times when I was younger and would be the only mixed-race person in the room," she told the outlet. "It was confusing, but I’ve since realized there's no real label that goes with it. It's more just about who you are and being true to yourself. Your people will find you.”

She's also a model

Balinska stands at 5'11 and stars in a campaign for Kurt Geiger—a brand she worked for in London's Selfridges department store less than two years ago.

Her red carpet looks are killer

Although Balinska is just getting started on the big screen, her red carpet looks are anything but elementary. She stunned in metallic Tory Burch at the Met Gala, and wore a sleek black Burberry look to Harper BAZAAR's ICONS party.

She told ELLE U.K. that her style inspirations include Jaden Smith and her dad. "I am not one to shy away from the men’s section," she said. "I'm quite tall and a lot of [menswear] fit me quite well, the way they hang feels very comfortable. Things that are considered 'fitted' [in womenswear] might not actually fit me well, at least if it’s baggy and loose, I’m free and comfortable."

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