Interview of Ione Skye by Freya Bennett
Ione Skye has lived many lives: indie film icon, artist, writer, podcaster, mother, and now, memoirist. In Say Everything, she reflects on her decades in the spotlight (and just outside it) with honesty, vulnerability and humour. We caught up with Ione to talk about the boldness of telling your own story, creative fluidity, growing into confidence, and why her latest painting muse is her husband… in gym shorts.
Hi Ione, how are you? Congratulations on the release of Say Everything—what made now the right time to tell your story, and what was it like reflecting on your life in such an open way?
There was this sudden buzz, a kind of low-grade obsession, with life in the ’80s and ’90s and it felt like people kept asking me about it. For enough people, my past was now in the cult classic category. Then one day I just thought, OK, I’m feeling confident enough to tell my life story. My side of things, and my side of making films and being with famous musicians. What my life was like in the 70s, 80s, 90s and my particular perspective.
How was the process of writing the book and how does it feel to have it out in the world?
I didn’t realise how very much I wanted people to know me until I started to write.
In many careers, maybe especially an artist’s, there’s a patchiness in getting work, and then having the work connect with people is rare. I’m really celebrating that this project was so fulfilling and has worked as a book. I trusted myself enough at this age to be vulnerable but also protect myself.
I had a bravado while writing that my open, disarming and eccentric nature would hopefully delight people, and not make anyone uncomfortable who’s mentioned in the book. But that’s a risk, even if you’re kind-hearted in your writing. Memoirs are meant to be vulnerable. Only one old friend was a little bit upset, but hopefully, in time we will work through it.
You’ve moved so fluidly between acting, painting, and writing. Do those creative parts of you speak to each other, or do they live in their own separate worlds?
My paintings and my memoir share a similar love of people and there is a sensuality, hopefully humour and intelligence, longing and romance about life in both mediums. I think you could see in all my painting, acting and writing my desire to be seen and loved and my total need to admire people and things.
When I act, you’d see the same ethereal quality—a similar romance, shyness and neediness present in all three forms.
So many people still adore Say Anything—how do you personally relate to Diane Court now, all these years later?
Like me, Diane Court has a single parent she’s closest to. Diane thinks she has to forfeit her feelings to make her father happy. To be in a bit of denial, to just see something wonderful in her father and ignore anything problematic, because she thinks of him as the safe parent. I related to the co-dependent relationship with a single parent because that’s all you have. And I related to her not really knowing she was totally desirable, like the other girls in school. She thought because she didn’t fit in with those kinds of girls who seems all American High School popular types, that she wasn’t attractive. But I definitely didn’t relate to her being the top of her class! I related to her being into Lloyd Dobbler, a “punk” type who’s loving and intelligent, the kind of person who’s outspoken. I seem to be attracted to this type of person – take Ben Lee, my husband!
You’ve spoken candidly about growth and healing. Is there something you’ve learned about yourself recently that made you go, ‘Oh wow, I didn’t see that coming’?
I didn’t anticipate that people would be so moved by my memoir. I thought it would be fun and well-written but not necessarily move them or make them cry, and I was surprised at how much I let myself take that in when in the past I used to block praise. And I didn’t know if it would make me closer to family, but it has, and that surprised me in a great way, of course.
I didn’t think it would be as big of an experience to write it as it was. I can’t think of anything that wasn’t good about this experience. A few of my friends who wrote memoirs told me it would be a big experience, but for some reason, I didn’t think it would be big for me and I’m so happy it was.
Your upbringing was surrounded by music and creativity—how much of that shaped your artistic instincts today, and are there parts you’ve chosen to redefine for yourself?
Growing up with artistic people around me, I felt like it was natural to be an artist as a living myself. I wasn’t gonna be a black sheep for being artistic, so that was nice. And I’ve learned by watching the people I’ve known in this entertainment industry, seeing how there are different blocks you can have. That it’s not just hard getting rejection, but sometimes it’s hard leveling up. You have to believe you’re worth doing well sometimes.
It’s been nice to connect these days with other artist, actors, writers, directors and producers in a personal way.
I used to just hide in my own world and not reach out and be open about the whole experience of acting and working in the industry in a personal way, and I do that now. Watching friends navigate creative partnerships, the rejection and disappointments and what to do with success, and being in it for a long time. I think I’ve applied some of this kind of wisdom.
Similar to my father Donovan, I had a big career as a teen and in my early 20s. After the big bang of my original first run of hits died down, I had to figure out how to keep it going like he did. He was a great lesson. Right now, it feels like another exciting part of my career again.
And finally, what’s lighting you up lately—any little rituals, projects, books, or things that are making you feel good?
I’m working on a painting series inspired by my husband in these short blue gym shorts—it’s weirdly good and kind of sexy. I’ve also been seeing my nightlife friends, the ones I meet on the dance floor maybe once a week. And I’m really into the charm and nature here in Australia, where I’m living at the moment—I love that the sea cuts into the city. The sea and harbours being the main thing. Cockatoos screaming in jacaranda trees. One minute you’re on a quaint city street, the next you’re in a pocket of bushland.
Out in the world, I’m moved by people standing up to injustice, even when it feels tiny. Hoping a drop in the ocean still makes a ripple.
My daughters have been so fun and it’s interesting to watch them grow up, knowing and meeting their friends—it’s kind of magic.
The healthy Sydney vibes have rubbed off on me. I’ve been doing tennis, Pilates, and walking a lot, bird witching.
I still love doing our podcast Weirder Together. It’s five years old now, but it feels brand new every week. I’m also excited about Ben’s Awake is the New Sleep 20-year anniversary tour—it’s one of my favourite records.
Acting is still happening for me. I just played Jack Black’s wife in a movie called Anaconda—it’s coming out at Christmas. Very fun, very surreal.
I’m reading Against Nature by Joris-Karl Huysmans and Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin. One’s decadent, the other’s romantic insightful, heartbreaking. Both are perfect. Another thing I’m into is this album called let God sword them out by CLIPSE.
I feel more confident lately. Getting older helps. So did the memoir. It gave me a sense of clarity and some unexpected energy to move through the day.
