How actor BeBe Bettencourt’s style is inspired by her rock star mother

This story is part of the March 26 edition of Sunday Life.See all 13 stories.

When BeBe Bettencourt’s face was sprawled across billboards and buses for the release of the 2021 Stan series Eden – in which she had a leading role – one of her more distinguishing features was her bleach-blonde fringe and shaggy hair. So it comes somewhat as a surprise to be greeted by the 27-year-old actor sporting sleek, black tresses that make her almost unrecognisable.

Um … BeBe, is that you?

“This is kind of my natural hair colour now. But yes, that was my look back then – I had a little blonde mullet! It ended up working for me, so I just kept working with the blonde hair,” she says of the hairstyle she also rocked in the films The Dry (2020) with Eric Bana and Spiderhead (2022) alongside Chris Hemsworth.

“But last year, I had a job where I had to have dark hair. I was shooting a pilot over in LA. It’s not moving forward, which is totally fine, but the dark hair stayed.” She adds with a laugh, “I do love being blonde, but I needed a break from all that bleach!”

There’s no doubt Bettencourt’s new look brings a sophisticated edge, one that has been maximised in her latest role as the face of the new campaign for jewellery house Jan Logan. The 2023 collection, called “Lady Stardust”, is inspired by the 1970s music scene and the artists at its creative core, such as David Bowie.

Bettencourt follows a long line of high-profile Jan Logan ambassadors, including Elizabeth Debicki, Rose Byrne, Phoebe Tonkin, The Dry co-star Claude Scott-Mitchell and her co-star in Eden, Sophie Wilde.

Saint Laurent dress. Bangles by Dinosaur Designs. Rings from Jan Logan. BeBe’s own earrings.Credit: Jedd Cooney

“I feel really honoured,” Bettencourt says of being chosen as the brand’s newest muse.

“I feel like it’s kind of a rite of passage. I’m really grateful to be doing it when you look at the past line-up of incredible Australian actresses that have done it – including my best friend, Sophie.” Bettencourt met Wilde just before they started working on Eden together. “We decided to get a drink a couple days before we flew to Byron to shoot and she’s my best mate now. I love that girl!”

New hair aside, what’s also unexpected is the way Bettencourt’s accent drifts between Australian and American twangs. It turns out her childhood was spent in the US, where she lived with her musician parents, guitarist Nuno Bettencourt and Suze DeMarchi, frontwoman of the Australian band Baby Animals.

When her parents separated, Bettencourt returned to Australia, where she later enrolled at NIDA before kicking off her acting career. But these days her adopted home is Los Angeles, where her father lives.

Bettencourt becomes highly animated when she talks about her early life, growing up across two continents. With swinging movements of her arms, the actor’s love of jewellery is evident with every jingle-jangle.

Her wrists are adorned with shiny bangles, her hands are jammed with chunky rings, and her ears sparkle with more gold hoops than can be counted.

“I like to look like a pirate,” she says, laughing. “I love jewellery that feels historical and textured. I am a gold girl at heart – and the hoops and the chunky rings, oh yeah I’ve got a few there! It’s all fun and games until you’re doing a period piece and you have to cover up the holes.”

Maggie Marilyn “Been Waiting For So Long” dress, and “Oh Crop” bolero jacket. Jimmy Choo shoes. Dinosaur Designs bangles. Credit: Jedd Cooney

Is she hinting that there’s a period drama coming up? “No, that was the pilot I did. It was a lot of work, as I had to take the jewellery out every morning. But jewellery is important to me for character development. It’s one of those things that you can put on and take off at the beginning of the day. When I have my own jewellery on, it feels like I’m myself again.”

While jewellery is clearly a passion for Bettencourt, fashion is her other love. “I have days where I just throw stuff on, but I do love to dress up. The fashion for this Sunday Life shoot was so divine, so beautiful. It also pushed me out of my comfort zone a little bit. It was definitely an interesting experience getting into the water in full Yves Saint Laurent!”

When she’s not on set, Bettencourt’s own wardrobe tends to be a little less designer and a little more op-shop. “Most of my closet is second-hand,” she says. “I love going to second-hand shops, so it’s generally vintage stuff.”

Esse bodysuit, and leather skirt. Jimmy Choo shoes.Credit: Jedd Cooney

She also has the unique opportunity to raid the wardrobe of one of Australian rock’s most iconic women. “I hope my mum doesn’t get a big head from this, but most of my closet is hers, including stage clothes I’ve stolen,” she says. “She’s got the best stuff. So every time I’m back home, I’m like, ‘Let me have a look in here and see what you’ve got for me.’ It’s all amazing and we’re the same size, so that’s convenient.”

The other gift Bettencourt has inherited from her mother, and father, is a love of music.

“I don’t know if I really had a choice,” she admits.

“I think it’s sort of in my blood from growing up around it. I thought that was the norm. I ended up singing in The Dry, which was really nerve-racking because singing, for me, is something quite vulnerable.”

By Malene Birger “Avilas” dress, from Christensen Copenhagen. Jan Logan rings. Credit: Jedd Cooney

Is this because she grew up with two successful musicians as parents and the bar is already set so high? “I don’t know but I used to be really scared of singing in front of people. I do love music and I write all the time. But for now, it’s mostly singing in the shower.”

One of the positive influences of having parents who both work in the arts has been the confidence it’s given Bettencourt to pursue a career in a field many find daunting. “I had quite a realistic mindset coming into it because I know how much hard work it takes and how much rejection there can be,” she says. “It’s hard when you’re an artist, because it’s so personal to you. You have to learn how to separate yourself from that side of it.”

And for Bettencourt, sometimes that means getting back to her roots – hair and all.

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