Chloe East has captured the attention of many in her newest riveting role of Naomi in HBO Max’s newest show Generation premiering March 11th. The show is an electrifying recount of everything high school has to offer, growing up, family dynamics and sexuality. The 20-year-old actress’ performance is topped off with colorful acrylic nails, endless opinions, and a hard to miss personality.

Making her television debut in HBO’s True Blood, East has since starred as Reese Cabrera in ABC’s Kevin (Probably) Saves the World and most recently as Jenna Marshall in the Jim Cummings horror-comdy The Wolf of Snow Hollow.

Check out our latest Q&A with East about her role as Naomi and what acting in Generation has been like, and watch Generation, premiering on HBO Max today!

Your character in Generation is hard to miss—assertive yet skittish. What is it like to play the role of Naomi?

Naomi has by far been the most fun character I’ve ever played. I think it’s because she is so different from me. There's something about her being so wild and uncensored that is super thrilling to play.

What are the differences and similarities between you and Naomi?

Naomi is very different from myself, which is a huge part of why it’s fun to be her. She’s the kind of girl that spends hours getting ready in the morning, wears acrylic nails, wears the skinniest of jeans, and is incredibly dependent on her friend’s opinions. She cares so much of what others think of her at school and on social media. I am quite the opposite. I can live comfortably in my overalls, cooking in the kitchen, and watching Japanese movies from the Criterion Collection. Naomi would be horrified by my wardrobe and think I’m a total movie nerd. In terms of similarities, I mean... Naomi watches The Bachelor which is something that I started watching and completely fell into (no shame). So maybe we could bond over the The Bachelor and she can show me how to run Snapchat?

Has the pandemic affected your acting career and your headspace at all? What has changed and what have you learned?

Before the pandemic, I thought I had to spend as much time out of my house to feel productive and happy. I would fill my schedule with a million things to do. It really taught me how to slow down, and find happiness in things I can do solely on my own at home. I think it brought me closer to my friends and family. With all of the crazy mixed emotions that came with the uncertainty of the pandemic, we all had to be there for each other, comfort each other, and lift each other up. At times I would just bake a pie and bust out the Monopoly game. On the work side, I’m just so grateful to be working during this time, and I can never take it for granted. Yes, it’s hard to work on a show with all of the safety protocols, but I really can’t complain as I am truly blessed to be working.

This show deals with many themes such as sexuality, family dynamics, and growing up. How do you relate to these themes and what important messages do you think the show shares?

The characters in the show are forced to grow up with the different traumas and trials that they experience. Family plays a huge part in the show, with characters wanting to hide their emotions from their parents and just run away and cling to their friends. Like most people, I had many experiences when I was younger that made me grow up fast. There were trials I had to work through, and even though I always had my family, my friends were such a centerpiece in my life. You feel like no one can relate to you better than your friends and you really start to depend on them to get through life. This is exactly what the characters in Generation do.

How did you prepare for the role? Were there any challenges you encountered?

I really dug into my Orange County roots (I grew up in the OC) and made a list of the people in my life that are similar to Naomi. I spent a lot of time on Instagram finding all things Naomi. I also would listen to real conversations of high schoolers in Brandy Melville and stores alike. I began homeschooling in middle school so my real time high school experiences were limited.

What are you most excited for in relation to the release of the show?

We filmed the pilot September of 2019. It’s been a loooong awaited process. I can’t wait for people to finally see it. I hope the show touches people, and makes them laugh in the same way it did for me.

Other than acting, what hobbies do you enjoy?

I absolutely love to cook. It’s one of my great passions. I spend a lot of time experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. I like to watch films, ride my Peloton, roller skate, dance, and I love to leisurely stroll the aisles of William Sonoma. I also love to drive down to San Clemente and surf with my boyfriend.

As we just started up the new year, what are your hopes for 2021?

I think something we all learned from Covid is how unpredictable a year can be. I just hope to stay happy and healthy, as well as maybe master the perfect French omelet, read some good plays/scripts, and spend time with the people I love.

Photographer: Shane McCauley

Stylist: Molly Dickson

Hair: Bobby Eliot

Makeup: Jenna Kristina

Interview by: Eloisa de Farias