Episode 7: Maia Mitchell

Maia Mitchell’s story is a fascinating one. She grew up in Lismore in rural New South Wales, and in her early 20s found herself in Los Angeles, working with Disney on the (iconic) Teen Beach series, which turned her into a mega Disney star overnight. Then she nabbed the lead in the Jennifer Lopez-produced The Fosters, which became a major hit, running for six seasons and averaging 1.5 million viewers per episode. With 10 million Instagram followers and the worlds of fashion and film at her feet, one would think Maia was firmly settled in the Los Angeles lifestyle. But when Lismore flooded in 2022 she decided to return to her hometown permanently. We talk about the move back to Australia, about the dangers of being a child actor and the harrowing HBO documentary Quiet on Set. We talk about her work with David Thewliss on The Artful Dodger, her journey to accepting her body, and much more.

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What the ELLE? episode tile features the artwork "Beach Bum" by Matilda Bailey and is designed by Paulina Paige Ortega.