Interview and photographs of Claire Wastell by Freya Bennett
Interview and photographs of Claire Wastell by Freya Bennett
Hi Claire! How are you?
I’m pretty good, thanks.
Where were you born?
Melbourne, Australia
What is your current dream?
My current dream is to be cast in either a TV show, movie, or theatre production.
What was the last ACTUAL dream you had?
Hmm… That’s so hard! I don’t remember my dreams anymore, my brain is too busy storing school information to think about them.
What issues do you think face young women in today’s society?
Definitely the expectation that we must look amazing all the time, which is completely unrealistic.
Women are faced with low self-esteem because there is an expectation to constantly match up to the beautiful, flawless figures that society depicts us as. We feel we must wear makeup and spend time doing our hair because that’s what you must do in order to be “pretty” and “beautiful.”
If you could add any lesson to school, what would it be?
I would add a practical class to school. Learn things like how to get a bank account, passport, how to cook an egg, things that are so important in living our lives, yet school finds it somehow more valuable to learn the Pythagoras thermo.
What’s your current favourite colour?
My favourite colour is the blue like the colour of the ocean. I also like red because it is vibrant and exciting and stands out.
If you had to move to another country tomorrow, where would you go?
This is tough because there are so many places in the world I would love to go. I think I would move to England because at least they speak English there and it looks beautiful. I have always wondered what it would be like to grow up in another country.
What advice would you give yourself at 13?
Focus on the important things, do what you love, and don’t be influenced by others if you don’t think what they are doing is right.
What’s one of your biggest fears?
Vomit, its just disgusting and once my sister vomited all over the car when she was next to me and I just hate it!
When do you feel most free?
I feel most free when I am out doing something and nobody knows where I am. It is sort of like I have my own little secret even if I just say I am going for a walk and end up running to a place I have never been before or something.
What’s your favourite smell?
In winter, definitely hot chips!
What advice do you most give to friends?
Do what makes you happy and you’re amazing no matter what.
What’s the last book you read?
A book called Everyday by David Levithan, which is about a person who wakes up in a different person body everyday. Good read, I recommend it.
What’s the last CD you played?
Arctic Monkeys, Favourite Worst Nightmare, which my friend gave me for my birthday. I love it!!!
If someone handed you $200 bucks and said you had to spend it in an hour, what would you buy?
Clothessss!!! I would head down to DFO and go crazy with bargains. I have a knack for bargain hunting; it runs in the family 🙂
