Photographs by GREG WILLIAMS

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Actor Leslie Bibb tells Hollywood Authentic about laundry, lazing about and her love of Polo cologne.

How important is a little bit of nonsense now and then to you?
Oh God, I think very important. I feel like in the nonsense, in the fun, in the imperfect, in the silly, lies great depths for me to swim around. It’s like daydreaming to me… it’s imperative. Also, I like being a little devious…

What, if anything, makes you believe in magic?
I was born believing in magic. I don’t know why I do, but I do and it’s as true to me as anything. For me, holding this belief makes me not take anything for granted. Me running into Greg Williams in Venice, in that hallway, it’s cosmic. I think that’s magic. It’s glorious.

What was your last act of true cowardice?
Not standing up to this woman who I was working with on a project. I abandoned myself and let her gaslight me. It’s a longer conversation, but I am disappointed in myself. But, whoosh, I learned a lot of lessons.

Do you have any odd habits or rituals?
I don’t walk under ladders. Why test the fates? I don’t like to talk about jobs too much before they happen. Don’t want to jinx anything.

What single thing do you miss most when you’re away from home?
Sammy and Gus, our German Shepherd. And sleeping in our bed. Our bed is delicious, but so is Sammy [Leslie’s partner, Sam Rockwell]. Also, our washer and dryer. I loathe sending my clothes out to be laundered. I like to wash my own things. 

What is your party trick?
I always throw the party, so I fancy that’s the best trick.

What is your favourite smell?
It’s not so much a smell, but I love when I am cooking and the house is full of whatever that aroma is. It’s the way I feel about a stocked fridge. It makes me so happy. And, this is gonna sound nuts, but I love Polo cologne. Sam wears it and it reminds me of growing up in Virginia and I just fucking love that smell, especially on Sammy.

What do you always carry with you?
A excerpt from Nelson Mandela’s 1994 inaugural speech. I have carried it in my wallet for 25 years. I have it laminated. 

What is your guilty pleasure?
Being lazy. It’s hard for me. I feel guilty if I have too many lazy days. I don’t know, I think we should take advantage of how much time we are alive. Wasting that, wasting a moment of being curious feels… oh I can’t bear it.

What’s your idea of heaven?
Sitting on a screen porch in the country, the sun is setting, music is playing, fridge is full, friends are in the house, I can hear their laughter, Gus is laying down next to me, and Sammy is walking out onto the porch with cocktails for us. Yeah, that’s heaven.

Actor and producer Leslie Bibb began her career as a model before moving into acting, her big break arriving with Popular. She made her film debut in Private Parts and is known for her roles in Iron Man, Talladega Nights, Tag and About My Father. She’s most recently been seen in Palm Royale and the third season of The White Lotus.