‘Salem’ Star Ashley Madekwe Talks Internet Trolls, Spring Staples & Major Style Regrets
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Depending on whom you ask, Ashley Madekwe is famous for her roles in Revenge and Salem, or a superstar for her fashion blog, Ring My Bell. Years ago, the 31-year-old British actress started an online diary to document her move to America. The unusual name came from Anita Ward’s famous song, the photos from her husband (duh!), and she quickly started picking up fans.
“The blogs I responded to were the blogs about fashion and style, offering something more than what I was seeing in magazines,” Madekwe tells Yahoo Style. “I just wanted to join in!” Slowly but surely, Ring My Bell took on a life of its own. And in spite of her growing fame as an actress, Madekwe hasn’t stopped. “When you see interaction and you read comments, that’s when you realize its really speaking to people,” she says of the community she’s built around her readers. “I think the people who read my blog aren’t necessarily there because I’m an actress; I talk back to them like any other blogger would. I respond to comments and emails when I can, the ones that stand out to me.”
What about trolls? And what about the pressure to look pulled together all the time when you’ve built a career off your outfits? We hopped on the phone with Madekwe to find out.
Yahoo Style: How do you deal with infamous Internet trolls?
Ashley Madekwe: I tend to ignore them; I think that’s the best way. But I’m not always strong enough to ignore them. I have been known to lash out on Twitter, and I find that one or two lashings out sets the tone and then nobody comes at you for a while. Likewise, when you sometimes respond in kindness and say, “Well I think that’s really mean and really negative, and I hope that you find a better way to behave in your life,” quite often people respond with their tail between their legs and say, “I’m sorry.” I’ve had that happen on Instagram loads of times.
YS: Like, for example?
AM: Some people make negative comments about someone’s appearance. I would never do that. I was always raised that if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. And if somebody says something that I find completely demeaning, especially if I’m in a picture with someone else, I’ll respond back and say, “I hope you’re perfect. You shouldn’t be saying things about other people, love, it’s not nice.” And then they respond and say, “I’m sorry.” I think it’s a cry for attention.
YS: You live in LA so winter’s not a huge issue, but what are you excited to wear now that spring is here?
AM: It sounds weird, but I’m really into suede. It’s popping up everywhere, and it doesn’t feel like the most spring trendy fabric, but I’m so into it. I want one of those suede A-line skirts that buttons up the front, which is a complete throwback because I had one when I was a kid. I wish I kept it. Alexa Chung did one in her AG Jeans collaboration in denim and I thought it was really nice.
Alexa Chung in her Pixie outfit for AG. Photo: AG
YS: Do you have a go-to summer look?
AM: I am known to wear the same pair of cut-off shorts and tee shirt everyday, because it gets unbearable in LA. I’m not someone who walks around in flip-flops and a bikini top, like a lot of people do in LA. I like summer dresses, like white cotton, simple gladiator sandals and things like that. I’m definitely going to get that Alexa Chung skirt, and I want to buy some Ancient Greek Sandals in tan leather. They are so simple and chic for summer.
Ancient Greek Sandals, www.ancient-greek-sandals.com
YS: What are you professional thoughts on the crazy gladiator sandals that lace all the way up the leg?
AM: I have seen them and it depends. Maybe, I haven’t yearned to buy them yet because I like to be comfortable. I tan so easily, and I would have tan lines in a second.
YS: Do you have any style regrets?
AM: I don’t know if I have regrets, because at the time, what I was wearing I loved. But in the ‘90s, when Moschino was having a moment, I was so into all the printed stuff they were doing. And I saved up my money from my job and I bought a pair of Moschino jeans called Computer Print—they had hearts and apple macs all over them. And I would wear them with a black crop top. Do you remember when Notorious BIG and Little Kim were wearing all those sunglasses with the Versace sign on the side? I bought a fake pair of those!
YS: I love that! Would you resurrect them today?
AM: Yes. I wish I kept those printed Moschino jeans because I think I could definitely rock them now.
YS: Absolutely. Those are so in right now, they’re vintage, and Moschino…so you can’t really go wrong there!
AM: That’s my regret; my regret is that I didn’t keep those!
YS: Are you a prints girl or a solids girl?
AM: I’m more drawn towards solids. The only prints I really have are Breton stripe and leopard. I treat leopard like a neutral, I don’t know what that says about me. [Laughs] I’m not drawn towards busy prints. It’s hard to get me into anything floral. I’m just not a natural girly girl. I love being feminine and dressing up, but I’m not as girly as some girls. I pick strong pieces and directional pieces. I love a high heel, but they are never really fussy. My favorite heel is the plain black Saint Laurent ones, very simple.
YS: You wear a ton of leather on the blog, how does that work when it’s 90 degrees outside?
AM: I’m never not wearing leather! When the temperature drops in the evening, you can take a little biker jacket over your summer dress.
YS: Heels or flats?
AM: Both. I wouldn’t go out to dinner in a flat. I wear heels in the evening. I like the feeling of being dressed up and making an effort, and I think a nice pair of heels can really elevate a look. Even if you are wearing jeans and a t-shirt during the day—if you add heels and a red lip, it feels dressed up.
YS: What’s your spirit animal?
AM: It’s a cat for sure. I’m a crazy cat lady. I have a cat named Oscar. I love their independence, I love that they don’t need anybody for anything. You could never starve a cat, because if you let that cat outside he will find something to eat. If they want affection they take it, if they don’t want it they don’t.
YS: So you’re not afraid of the cat lady stereotype?
AM: Katy Perry loves cats! Grace Coddington loves cats! Cats are chic. Karl Lagerfeld has a cat, Choupette. Cats and fashion go hand in hand. I was even Choupette for Halloween one year and my husband was Karl Lagerfeld. I am a cat lady. It’s true.
More from Yahoo Style:
Ashley Madekwe Talks Body Shaming, “Salem” & the Truth About Corsets
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