Around halfway into the upcoming action flick Trap House, 22-Year-old Whitney Peak’s character screams, for all of El Paso to hear, “That was a goddamn rush!” The line comes after Yvonne and her friends rob an infamous drug cartel’s trap house, but the same sentiment can be applied to the exponential ascent of Peak’s career.

While she made her acting debut in 2017 in Campfire Kiss, later that year she would star as Stella in the Academy Award-nominated film Molly’s Game—and landed recurring and guest roles in Apple TV+’s Home Before Dark and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, respectively—in the past three years, Peak’s star has reached an international prominence.

First came her role as Zoya Lott in the HBO Max reboot of Gossip Girl. Then, in 2022, Peak starred as protagonist Becca in Hocus Pocus 2—the sequel to another cult favorite.

It feels fateful then that earlier this year, Peak was cast as Lenore Dove in the film adaptation of The Hunger Games prequel Sunrise on the Reaping. Taking place 24 years before the start of The Hunger Games, the film follows a young Haymitch Abernathy (played by Joseph Zada) as he competes in the Quarter Quell, longing to return to his “darling” back in District 12, Lenore Dove. Production began in Europe this summer and is ongoing.

Through it all, Peak has served as a Chanel ambassador, becoming the first Black woman to represent Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle. “I was encouraged to take up space and to value knowledge and entertain curiosity,” Peak says about working with Chanel for the past four years, “which I now know was really important to have at such a delicate age in this industry.”

Peak is all of these roles: heroine, love interest, mastermind, and everything destined to come next.

Between filming, the actress spoke with FLAUNT about her upcoming projects, favorite fashion moments, and stepping into the ring of fandoms.

In The Hunger Games prequels, the Covey are known for their love of music as well as their love of color. What sort of connection do you feel to your character, Lenore Dove, in Sunrise on the Reaping in that way?
I can’t say I’m particularly musically inclined in any way. I did get to challenge myself in that regard. I was drawn to Lenore Dove partly because of how fervent she is about her people. That’s been a cornerstone in my life and a lesson I learned early on…the importance of community and how invaluable it is to find those people. She loves unabashedly and without minimizing herself or leaning into moral apathy. A lot of myself has been revealed to me while making this movie.

How much does the costume design influence the way you embody a character? Have you ever had a wardrobe piece transform your take on a role?
Costume design holds a great deal of importance, it does most of my job for me—aiding in reminding me that it’s not about me (Whitney), but that I am, for a moment, living in the shoes of a very real person with truths and griefs and an entire life of their own. Many times, that part of the day when you take off your own clothes and get into costume—there’s a distinct change, a shift, that takes place. When I hit a wall or just can’t seem to shake my own baggage at work, there’s an exercise I use that helps to bring me back to the present, and it has to do with breath and identifying textures, shapes and objects. Wardrobe is such a big part of that because it dictates the way one carries themself and how they present in the world.

How has your personal style evolved throughout your career?
My personal style has gone through many evolutions. I’ve had many different phases and tastes inspired by family, friends, films, music, and sometimes objects or images and that will never change; therefore, my style will continue to change and surprise even me. Different moods dictate what I choose to wear. I’ve looked back at certain outfits and cringed, but in that same breath I’m thinking, “You know what, this did what it needed to do for me at the time, so I’mma let it fly.”

What does it mean to you to represent Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle, and being the first Black woman to represent a Chanel fragrance?
My relationship with Chanel changed my life in a lot of ways, and it’s always emotional to talk about. It was never in the realm of possibility for me, and it’s still so surreal to think about. I was 17 and dealing with a lot of change when I first started working with the House. A lot of the women at Chanel played a pivotal part in my relationship to fashion, to art, to my body, and to the role I get to play in the industry.

Not only to do with fashion, but I’ve gotten to travel with Chanel and been exposed to all kinds of films, books, and art that have informed my taste today. This opportunity is one I don’t take for granted. I’ve been so lucky. I needed someone to pinch me when it happened, and I still do!

Trap House features a strong balance of emerging and veteran talent. How was it acting in an ensemble with other young actors as well as working with more experienced performers in the same project?
It was a really refreshing set to be on. This movie has a really great and caring team behind it. It felt like everyone on set wanted to be there and cared about what we were making. I remember being terribly nervous and just totally in my head, and Michael Dowse would walk in and knew exactly how to get me back. I found him to be a very generous, patient, and terribly humorous director—and hopefully we’ll work together again when I can proficiently string a sentence together. Damn nerves!

Another moment that comes to memory is the first day we all got to work together. I had my nose in a book, and I feel someone tower over me. I looked up to see Dave [Bautista], who came around and said hello to everyone individually, expressing his gratitude for our being a part of this. He was so gracious and gentle and moved with such humility—it was a great comfort to see a top dog move through the set, interact, and remember everyone’s names. I was really in awe. It might sound so small, but that made the world of a difference—it all trickles down, and having that kind of energy at the top made it such a wonderful experience.

What excites you about the state of fashion, at present? What excites you about the future?
I’m excited for all the possibilities or play and expression and risk and growth, and to feel it all. I am excited to be in the process!

Photographed by David Bellemere

Styled by Christopher Campbell

Written by Isa Luzarraga

Hair: Anne Sofie Begtrup at Wise and Talented using Oribe

Makeup: Tatsu Yamanaka at Airport Agency using Chanel Beauty

Photo Assistant and Digital Tech: Kader Benacer

Styling Assistant: Mia Hurley

Hair Assistant: Line Juhl

Production: Shape Productions

Special thanks: Tanum Davis Bohen

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