Elle Fanning had a busy 2016 and looks to be just as busy in 2017. She is currently in the Ben Affleck mobster film, Live By Night, and stars alongside Annette Bening in 20th Century Women out January 20. To promote many of her upcoming projects, Elle covers the February issue of Elle (tee-hee) UK. The cover is lovely and I was just discussing that combination of blue and mustard with my hairdresser the other day – gorgeous. The other shots, on Elle UK, are fun for an 18-year old. I would have totally worn that pink military jacket with the puffy sleeves in the 80s and the empty-pool picture is young and fresh – although I’ll admit, Elle looks as conflicted as I feel about the poor Muppet they skinned to make that dress. In the interview excerpts, I like what Elle had to say about social media. Not that it was earth-shattering but it reflects many of the thoughts I have about it.

On the best advice she’s been given: ‘Nicole Kidman told me, “Find your tribe and they’ll always be behind you.” I like that.’

On why Elle chooses to limit her presence on social media: ‘I recently turned my Instagram public on my 18th birthday, but I still don’t post everything I do, and I’m not on Twitter or Facebook. You have to leave a little mystery. With old movie stars, all you saw were rare interviews where they only shared what they wanted to – that’s what made them so interesting. You could separate the characters from the women, so if you watch them on screen you’re not thinking about what they had for breakfast.’

On accessibility: ‘It’s so hard in this era when an ex is only a text away. Back in the day they had to work up the courage to call on the phone, talk to your parents, and when you broke up you didn’t see them again. But now, between Snapchat and Instagram, you can see everything – especially them with a new partner. But it’s damaging so you have to stop… I have high anxiety and I’m on my phone constantly, so I find myself comparing myself to others.’

On her social circle: ‘I’m not someone that has a lot of friends. I see people who have many friends and get really jealous. I have a good core of three or four friends who are really close to me.’

[From Elle UK and Daily Mail]

Social media came around after I was married so I’m fine seeing my exes new lives but if I’d had it in my 20s? I’d have been a full-time, despondent lurker. Also, like Elle, I thought I had obtained a certain level of confidence until I joined Facebook and compared myself to every person on there, whether I knew them or not. A while back, I purged my friend list and have to say, I’ve enjoyed the site ever since. I guess I took Nicole Kidman’s advice as well (thanks, Nic – call me!)

Regarding Elle’s point about old movie stars, I feel like when we hear about a celeb who is trying to get some story taken down or control a narrative we accuse them of being a control freak. Isn’t that the same as former Hollywood stars who selected what information went out in the first place? It’s just reverse engineering these days. I agree with Elle about the mystery, though – it just means I get to make up the rest *closes eyes and sees Diego Luna smiling as he extends his hand to me*

Elle is mature for her age but what I like best about her is she still embraces her youth. Like in this clip on Jimmy Fallon when she talks about running into Channing Tatum at a Beyoncé concert. She is just delightful to watch.

Photo credit: Elle UK, Getty and Twitter