Esther Zynn Moved From NY to LA To Become A Princess
Unlike most 21-year-old actresses living in LA, Esther Zynn isn’t waking up everyday wondering where her next paycheck is going to come from, or how many more years of failure she realistically has in her before she gives up on her dream and gets a real job while she sucks down an organic green juice on the way to hot yoga.
This is because Esther Zynn already has a job, staring in a Nickelodeon show called The Other Kingdom where she plays a fairy princess who’s forced to spend 100 days slumming it as an average teenage girl on Earth.
We talked to Esther about what it’s like to be 21 years old and staring in a kids’ show, why older guys are always into her, and how she keeps her face so fricking clear even though she spends all day in a makeup chair.
You play a fairy princess on TV, so you spend a lot of time in the makeup chair. How do you keep your skin from breaking out all the time?
A great cleanser. I used to just wash my face with soap, then I found out that soap actually clogs your pours (I guess I was the only one who didn’t know that). A makeup artist on The Other Kingdom recommended a great cleanser that I now use every night. I also barely wear makeup in my everyday life so I can make sure to give my skin a break on the weekends when I’m not working.
Now that you’re on a Nickelodeon show, do you feel a lot of pressure about being careful of doing normal 21-year-old things like going out to a bar with your friends on a Saturday night?
I’m pretty low key, so when I go out with my friends we stay pretty tame. However, I do realize that I’m a role model to kids so I try to keep that in mind and make good decisions.
What’s the vibe of your EP gonna be like?
I like to describe my music as “un-sugar-coated pop music.” Lyrically I’m very honest and try not to filter myself. To me it’s not just about writing a catchy song, it’s about telling a story that other people can hopefully relate to.
Are there any painful experiences from your life that made it onto the record?
I recently wrote a song that I’m very excited about. I’m pretty certain it will make it on the EP (but anything is possible). The song is based on a series of very difficult experiences I had with a person. Lyrically it’s the most straight forward thing I’ve written. Ironically, in trying not make the song ambiguous I think it actually became more relatable. In general though everything I write is based on or inspired by my experiences.
If you could get ANYBODY to write a song with you, who would you call?
There are SO many people I look up to in the music industry. I would love to work with Justin Timberlake. Not just for the music, my sound is pretty different from his, but to learn from him. He’s has had and maintained such a diverse and impressive career. I look up to him a lot because of that (plus he is ridiculously talented).
Having a young face is a blessing in Hollywood, but does it ever get annoying IRL?
It really depends on the circumstance that I meet someone in. I’ve been told that I act older. When someone meets me and I’m talking about something I feel passionate about they usually assume I’m older. Then sometimes people meet me and assume I might be younger because I’m 5’2 and have a baby face. It doesn’t bother me either way.
Does it ever get in the way of your dating life?
No I actually find that the people who I date and get along with the most are usually older than me.
What’s your biggest turn on?
When someone is passionate about something, it could be anything. I just think ambition is the coolest thing.
Turn off?
When someone is arrogant.
Would you ever go on a date with a fan, or even seriously consider dating them?
If they were interested in me for reasons outside of my career, sure.
Is there anything you miss about being a teenager?
I sometimes miss being able to say “I’m nineteen.” Not because of that particular time in my life but more because of what being a teenager represents in our culture today. There is something very lighthearted and freeing about saying, “I’m nineteen years old.” That being said I definitely don’t miss being a teenager. I think people forget that being a teenager is really hard. Personally, it was a very difficult confusing time for me in my life. I love where I’m at right now, I’m having so much fun.
What’s the quintessential 20s experience you can’t wait to have?
This past year I’ve traveled a lot on my own so I’ve had several really cool “this is what youth and freedom feel like” experiences. I really want to go backpacking somewhere remote or go on a road trip.
Would you ever be on a reality show?
No, I really value my privacy. I’m also the kind of person who needs time to be alone so I think being on a reality show would drive me crazy.
What’s the most random thing about yourself that you can think of off the top of your head?
This is TOTALLY random but this is actually the first thing that popped into my head and you asked… I got an orchid a month ago and it’s still alive and thriving, and I’m pretty proud of myself for that considering I have never been able to take care of a plant for more than a few weeks.
Photos by Marley Kate
