SADIE SINK
We meet one of TV’s most in-demand teenagers
UNLIKE THE FORMIDABLE MaxMayfield, the surly skateboarder she portrays on hit Netflix show Stranger Things, 16-year-old Sadie Sink is all lightness and charm. She’s full of anecdotes about her pets (she has one cat and two dogs – all rescue animals), continually praises the ‘grounding’ influence of her large family, consisting of three brothers and one sister, and talks constantly of her Nineties music obsession (her current playlist features Oasis, TLC and Red Hot Chili Peppers). It’s easy to see why everyone from her four million-plus Instagram followers to Helen Mirren, her co-star in The Audience on Broadway, to the gatekeepers of influential fashion brands including Miu Miu and Nike, for which she’s featured in campaigns, are drawn to her. Adding to the appeal, Sink is an outspoken vegan environmentalist and a self-proclaimed feminist. In short, she’s a quintessential member of a new generation who aren’t afraid to speak out about issues that matter to them.
1. SHE FIRST GOT ON A SKATEBOARD FOR ‘STRANGER THINGS’
‘There’s a video of me getting on the skateboard and, trust me, it’s really not pretty. It was bad. I had no control over the board whatsoever. I’ve come a long way since then. I don’t know [if Max improves], but if she does, I should probably be skateboarding a bit more than I am right now!’
2. THE CAST MEMBERS ARE HER SECOND FAMILY
‘Millie [Bobby Brown] and I sing everything – a lot of Adele, and lately we’ve been singing this Lady Gaga duet with Florence Welch called Hey Girl all the time. Everyone is friends with everyone else [on the cast of
Stranger Things]; we’re basically brothers and sisters at this point. Very occasionally there’ll be a few little arguments, but two seconds later we’re like, “Hey, do you want to grab lunch together?”’
3. SHE DOESN’T LIKE PARTIES
‘There is actually nothing worse than having Happy Birthday sung to you. It’s so awkward! I don’t like being the centre of attention at a party — in fact, I just hate parties in general. I went to see The Play That
Goes Wrong for my 16th birthday, and that was my way of celebrating.’
4. SHE SUPPORTS VEGAN BUSINESSES
‘ People don’t realise the impact of the leather and fur industries on animals. Rooney Mara and I were able to hang out in Los Angeles a bit, and she wanted to know if I’d be interested in wearing her vegan clothing line [Hiraeth] for a few events, and I was like, “Of course!” Not only is it vegan, but it actually kind of matches my style as well. My favourite vegan restaurant is in LA – it’s called Crossroads Kitchen and is scary-good.’
5. SHE’S DEMANDING CHANGE NOW
‘Just like with March For Our Lives, this new generation is using its voice more and really taking action, which is very special. The younger generation feels strongly about shaping a world we want to live in when we grow up – that’s why everyone is so vocal and involved. And that’s what makes me excited about seeing people coming together and marching in the way they are. A lot of younger girls are getting involved in #Time’sUp and the #MeToo movements, too. I’m so happy that women are finding their voices.’ Sadie Sink features on The ELLE LIST 2O18, produced in association with The Outnet
SADIE SINK
SHE’S ONE of TELEVISION’S most IN-DEMAND TEENAGERS and an ENVIRONMENTAL CAMPAIGNER. MIRANDA BRYANT DISCOVERS that SADIE SINK, star of CULT SHOW ‘STRANGER THINGS,’ has A LOT TO SAY…