English Version | Mise en abyme

"I also wanted to toast Emily, who has pretended she was my friend while having an affair with my boyfriend." Among the hundreds, perhaps thousands, of things you can find on the Internet about Camille Razat - and, consequently, about her mega, ultra-known character of the same name - this is perhaps one of the most curious. Not the phrase itself, a direct quote, uttered by Camille in season two of Emily in Paris, but the (unofficial) merchandising made around that same phrase. There are t-shirts, stickers, smartphone cases, thermos, tote bags... Who would have thought that this outburst - not at all subtle, bordering on attacking - would become a symbol of Generation Z?

Apparently, everyone. Since the series premiered at the end of 2020, there have been many cries of #TeamCamille and calls for the character to be given (even more) prominence. No one is indifferent to the intelligence and humor of Camille (which one are we talking about?), who walks the streets of Paris as if the expression je ne sais quoi had been created with her in mind. "French chic", that unattainable ideal that has become a universal obsession in recent years, has her as one of its best ambassadors - on and off screen. But Camille Razat's life goes far beyond the show that catapulted her to fame.

After studying theater at the Cours Florent in Paris, Camille made her acting debut in Rock n' Roll, directed by Guillaume Canet. This was followed by roles in films such as (Girl)Friend, by Victor Saint Macary, Girls with Balls, by Olivier Afonso, The 15:17 to Paris, by Clint Eastwood, or Les Choses Humaines, by Yvan Attal. Her initial "project" - to be a reporter - was definitely forgotten, after a break as a model which served to spark her curiosity and taste for acting. From her days spent on photo shoots, she brought weapons that she still uses today behind the camera, with disarming confidence and an innate aptitude for knowing how, and when, to pose. A regular at Fashion Weeks, she is currently one of the actresses most coveted by luxury brands, who see her as the best representative of a certain shrewd, relaxed elegance that was thought to have disappeared with the boom in social media.

You were a model before becoming an actress. How did the change happen? Was it something you always dreamed of? It was not a dream since I was a kid. But as I wanted to be a reporter and got accepted in this school at 18 I wanted to do something fun before going in long studies. Then I enjoyed it so much and never get back to the journalism school.

Before Emily in Paris you had already appeared in some TV shows and films. But the success of the Netflix series was insane. How did you experience everything (even though we were in the middle of a pandemic)? Especially because it was during the pandemic the transition was smooth and nice.

How has your life changed for being part of one of the most watched-shows in the world? In several aspects of course. Being recognized sometimes is something weird to experience. But most of people are so nice so I feel humbled. I guess in terms of the fashion world I think Emily in Paris is an interesting platform for designers because it’s a series about a heightened reality (as Sex and the City was) of a certain “Parisian life.” It’s a good marketing platform for designers I believe.

Do you feel the pressure of being “famous”? Sometimes. But I really don’t think about it that much. As I said, I feel humbled and grateful. Without the people that love the show or my character I won’t be at this stage of my career. So, I just want to thank them.

How do you think Camille's character has developed since season one? I think she has one of the more tumultuous storylines. The last season was a little bit “wtf” but I liked it. Even if I wish they would have built the storyline of Camille earlier in the season so everything is not in the last two episodes.

The power of female friendship and camaraderie is very strong in Emily in Paris. How do you think that the show portrays female friendship? In a very complex way. Which is accurate. Not everything is easy when you mix love and friendship. And it doesn’t mean because you fall in love with the wrong person you’re necessarily a bad person. It’s just life happening.

Camille has some of the chicest outfits on the show, what is it like working with Patricia Field? I love Patricia but really, it’s also Marylin Fitoussi work. We try the three so is to bring new upcoming designers to the table and establish a Parisian look for Camille without being too cliché. I think Camille’s style is multiple as the Parisian are.

You are no stranger to the fashion world, having modeled for many years. What are some of the style lessons you’ve learned through your modeling career? Don’t let the garment wear you, wear the garment. Pay attention to cuts and fabric.

These days you work closely with a lot of big fashion brands, even becoming ambassador to some of them. How does it feel to become this persona, more than a model, that is seen as an icon to so many people, up to the point where brands want you to represent them? Well I don’t know if I’m an icon but if some people perceive as so, well, I should thank them. But moreover, I always wanted to be part of the fashion world. Since I’m a kid I collect magazines.

This issue of Vogue Portugal is about fame. What is your relationship with fame? I guess I don’t think about it too much. I remain a normal person.

Did you always wanted to be famous? I’ve never wanted to be famous.

Did you had your bedroom walls covered with posters of famous people? Of course, like all teenagers I guess. Eminem, Avril Lavigne, Diam’s…. I’ve always had a very multiple taste in music.

What can you tell us about your plans for the future? Do you have a dream of, say, winning an Oscar? As an actress, I did shoot two movies that are going to be released this year. One is a French author movie called The Prodigees and the other one is an American independent movie called Waltzing With Brando. I also have the 4th season of Emily in Paris. Then for 2024 I have several projects that are on discussion but we have to make it work schedule wise. As a producer, I already produced three short movies that I sent to festivals. And two music video clips for the groupe GENNRE that will be available on November/January. I’m currently in preparation to produce a feature this summer in which I’ll have the leading role.

*Originally translated from The Fame Issue, published October 2023. Full credits and stories in the print issue.