Women With GRITT: Mel Jarnson On Her Nomadic Childhood, Her Creative Process And How She Avoids Comparison In The Age Of Social Media
“I feel at my most confident when I’m super prepared at work, or surrounded by genuine friends, the ones who remind me that my worth isn’t tied to whether or not I’m successful.”
Welcome to Women with GRITT: a series where we interview the resilient, hardworking women who have kicked in the glass ceiling and inspire us to do the same.
True humility can be hard to come by in the entertainment industry. But when it comes to 25-year-old Australian actor, Mel Jarnson, it’s evident in spades. Best known for her roles in Hollywood blockbusters Mortal Kombat, Harrow and Blacklight, the Thai-born talent has solidified her reputation in the industry as being hardworking, approachable and a true creative in every sense of the word.
Now on a path of prioritising her happiness and projects that align wholly with her spirit, Jarnson is paving the way for other Australian actors to make their mark in the industry. A firm believer in leaving your ego at the door and putting yourself out there when chasing goals, Jarnson is the poster girl for how far tenacity and determination can get you.
In this interview she speaks to Gritty Pretty about her nomadic childhood, how her parents inspired her creative career, what beauty means to her and how she avoids comparison in the age of social media.
Gritty Pretty (GP): Hi Mel! Before we jump into your incredible career success, we’d love to know a little more about where you grew up. How did your childhood shape the woman you are today?
Mel Jarnson (MJ): I was born and mostly grew up in Bangkok, Thailand. But I spent four years in Brussels, Belgium and four years in Mumbai, India. Then I moved to Australia when I was 17 for university, and stayed on for seven years. Growing up I actually really craved a ‘normal’ upbringing (if there is such a thing). I wanted to live in a small town where everyone knew each other. There’s a stability in that which I found comfort in the idea of. Moving around that much and having to speak multiple languages at a time forces your eyes open in a myriad of ways, but as a kid you really just want to fit in, belong, and not have to worry about learning a new language or saying goodbye to your friends every couple of years. It was so special to experience and while there’s a lot of misinformation and false assumptions about the international school community, there is so much camaraderie and understanding within it. It has a profound effect on my work and my approach to each character.
GP: Who was your greatest inspiration growing up? What influence did they have on you and the path you decided to take in life?
MJ: My parents, equally. Both such closet creatives. My father is such a talented drawer, singer, and pianist. You would never know as we’ve never owned a piano. My mother has a gift for storytelling and world building. You would never know as those were for bedtime stories.
GP: The entertainment industry is notoriously difficult to break into. How did you go about getting your foot in the door?
MJ: I think if you notice talent, point it out. That’s often how you’ll get discovered anyway. Do anything to surround yourself with other actors. Whether it’s classes or clubs or courses… It’s often other actors that get you into it. You’ve just got to have no shame in putting yourself out there.
GP: A lot of our audience would recognise you from Mortal Kombat or Blacklight. What does your process for getting into character look like? How do you go about unlocking this creative expression?
MJ: I actually get so nervous on film sets that it can inhibit my creativity. So I follow any step it takes to calm myself and feel relaxed. Often breathing exercises, movement work, and definitely over preparing to the point of tedium.
Photography: Kristina Yenko / Hair & Makeup: Kim Pham / Styling: Kate Harper
GP: Creativity also comes into play a lot in beauty (which, no surprises, we love). So, what does beauty mean to you?
MJ: So much! Lilac sunsets, big toothy smiles, cream cheese bagels…
GP: What does your morning and evening skincare routine consist of? What products are you loving at the moment?
MJ: In the morning, I wash my face with warm water. If I workout then I’ll use the Fresh Soy Cleanser afterwards. While my skin is damp, I’ll lock in hydration with hyaluronic acid. While that absorbs I spritz some Mario Badescu Rose Water over the top. I’ll wait until my skin is dry and then I’ll apply sunscreen. If I feel like having makeup on I’ll opt for the tinted screen with SPF50 protection by La Roche Posay, it’s got the best balance of a matte and dewy finish and evens out my skin tone. I don’t wear foundation so that’s my equivalent. If I don’t feel like being tinted my usual go to is Outside Beauty & Skincare Spray (SPF 50). It has great, clean ingredients and my skin looks super duper dewy in it. My most recent travel purchase is the Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop and it’s my new favourite. I put a lot of that stuff on and it leaves my skin with this velvety softest finish. I follow up with my favourite SPF makeup products: have been hugely obsessed with the Lip to Cheek in Desert Rose by Outside Beauty & Skincare (again, SPF 50! Never enough!). I put it all over my lips, cheeks, and bridge of my nose. Then the Ultraviolette SPF 50 Lip Balm in Nude. When I get home I cleanse with the Fresh Soy Cleanser and then remove any remaining makeup very gently with a warm damp cloth and olive oil (I’ve been using it since I was a teenager and it beats everything else for me).
GP: And, finally, how do channel self-confidence and avoid comparison? It can be particularly difficult in the age of social media, so what advice would you give on embracing exactly who you are?
MJ: The dissonance on those apps can feel so draining, so I go on a lot of breaks wherein I delete it from my phone entirely. It can be a little tricky since so many people use Instagram as a primary avenue for communication, but I tell myself a little FOMO (fear of missing out) is way way better than going down a spiral of comparison. It is so hard, especially when we are constantly being pitted against one another. I feel at my most confident when I’m super prepared at work, or surrounded by genuine friends, the ones who remind me that my worth isn’t tied to whether or not I’m successful.
Gritty Pretty (GP): Hi Mel! Before we jump into your incredible career success, we’d love to know a little more about where you grew up. How did your childhood shape the woman you are today?
Mel Jarnson (MJ): I was born and mostly grew up in Bangkok, Thailand. But I spent four years in Brussels, Belgium and four years in Mumbai, India. Then I moved to Australia when I was 17 for university, and stayed on for seven years. Growing up I actually really craved a ‘normal’ upbringing (if there is such a thing). I wanted to live in a small town where everyone knew each other. There’s a stability in that which I found comfort in the idea of. Moving around that much and having to speak multiple languages at a time forces your eyes open in a myriad of ways, but as a kid you really just want to fit in, belong, and not have to worry about learning a new language or saying goodbye to your friends every couple of years. It was so special to experience and while there’s a lot of misinformation and false assumptions about the international school community, there is so much camaraderie and understanding within it. It has a profound effect on my work and my approach to each character.
GP: Who was your greatest inspiration growing up? What influence did they have on you and the path you decided to take in life?
MJ: My parents, equally. Both such closet creatives. My father is such a talented drawer, singer, and pianist. You would never know as we’ve never owned a piano. My mother has a gift for storytelling and world building. You would never know as those were for bedtime stories.
Photography: Kristina Yenko / Hair & Makeup: Kim Pham / Styling: Kate Harper
GP: The entertainment industry is notoriously difficult to break into. How did you go about getting your foot in the door?
MJ: I think if you notice talent, point it out. That’s often how you’ll get discovered anyway. Do anything to surround yourself with other actors. Whether it’s classes or clubs or courses… It’s often other actors that get you into it. You’ve just got to have no shame in putting yourself out there.
GP: A lot of our audience would recognise you from Mortal Kombat or Blacklight. What does your process for getting into character look like? How do you go about unlocking this creative expression?
MJ: I actually get so nervous on film sets that it can inhibit my creativity. So I follow any step it takes to calm myself and feel relaxed. Often breathing exercises, movement work, and definitely over preparing to the point of tedium.
GP: Creativity also comes into play a lot in beauty (which, no surprises, we love). So, what does beauty mean to you?
MJ: So much! Lilac sunsets, big toothy smiles, cream cheese bagels…
GP: What does your morning and evening skincare routine consist of? What products are you loving at the moment?
MJ: In the morning, I wash my face with warm water. If I workout then I’ll use the Fresh Soy Cleanser afterwards. While my skin is damp, I’ll lock in hydration with hyaluronic acid. While that absorbs I spritz some Mario Badescu Rose Water over the top. I’ll wait until my skin is dry and then I’ll apply sunscreen. If I feel like having makeup on I’ll opt for the tinted screen with SPF50 protection by La Roche Posay, it’s got the best balance of a matte and dewy finish and evens out my skin tone. I don’t wear foundation so that’s my equivalent. If I don’t feel like being tinted my usual go to is Outside Beauty & Skincare Spray (SPF 50). It has great, clean ingredients and my skin looks super duper dewy in it. My most recent travel purchase is the Unseen Sunscreen by Supergoop and it’s my new favourite. I put a lot of that stuff on and it leaves my skin with this velvety softest finish. I follow up with my favourite SPF makeup products: have been hugely obsessed with the Lip to Cheek in Desert Rose by Outside Beauty & Skincare (again, SPF 50! Never enough!). I put it all over my lips, cheeks, and bridge of my nose. Then the Ultraviolette SPF 50 Lip Balm in Nude. When I get home I cleanse with the Fresh Soy Cleanser and then remove any remaining makeup very gently with a warm damp cloth and olive oil (I’ve been using it since I was a teenager and it beats everything else for me).
GP: And, finally, how do channel self-confidence and avoid comparison? It can be particularly difficult in the age of social media, so what advice would you give on embracing exactly who you are?
MJ: The dissonance on those apps can feel so draining, so I go on a lot of breaks wherein I delete it from my phone entirely. It can be a little tricky since so many people use Instagram as a primary avenue for communication, but I tell myself a little FOMO (fear of missing out) is way way better than going down a spiral of comparison. It is so hard, especially when we are constantly being pitted against one another. I feel at my most confident when I’m super prepared at work, or surrounded by genuine friends, the ones who remind me that my worth isn’t tied to whether or not I’m successful.
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