Chelsie Preston Crayford
The actress’s career has come full circle. Preston Crayford is starring in the Auckland Theatre Company’s poolside drama Red Speedo, 26 years after her first acting job in a water-safety commercial, at age four.
What acting advice would you give four-year-old Chelsie? If you do it right this take, you won’t still be sitting here four hours later being bribed with Snickers bars and peanut-butter sandwiches while they call “take 42”.
Do you eat or avoid specific foods before performing? No, but maybe I should.
Do you have a favourite childhood food memory?
I used to have egg in a cup – buttered Vogel’s cut into little squares and mixed with a couple of soft boiled eggs in a mug – the mug part is important. It’s still my comfort food.
Did motherhood change your view about healthy eating? Yes, because my daughter was very sick when she was born, so I went seriously deep, educating myself on nutrition, gut health and epigenetics. I was very motivated and strict for a while. Thankfully, our efforts had the desired effect and she’s thriving now, so I’ve loosened up.
How would you describe your diet? Healthy but relaxed. I’ve had times when I’ve been strict about nutrition, but I realised that can create a lot of stress, which is detrimental to overall health. So, I like to strike a balance these days between feeling free to eat whatever, but also looking after my nutrition enough that I feel energised, nourished and alive.
What is your typical breakfast? Today I had leftover tagine at my dad’s house. He’s just back from Morocco, where the cooking is beautiful and simple.
What about lunch? Today’s was a delicious paella cooked for my dear friend for his birthday.
How often do you snack and what do you eat? Chocolate is my go-to. And my daughter is obsessed with cashew nuts, so we usually have lots of those in the house.
What is your favourite evening meal? One made by someone else. Nothing tastes better than a home-cooked meal that you didn’t cook. Special shout-outs to my dad Jonathan, cousin Bonny and neighbours Julien and Gayle – between them, they keep me very well fed.
Red Speedo, ASB Waterfront Theatre, October 31 to November 15.