Mickey Sumner
A Lingerie On Film Profile
We’ve been fans of Mickey Sumner since her memorable role as Sophie in the quintessential indie film, Frances Ha. So when she said yes to this year’s Lingerie on Film project, we were thrilled. Known for her layered performances on screen and stage, she’s also a devoted runner, puzzle enthusiast, and lifelong maker, with a BFA in fine art and a soft spot for disposable cameras. For this year’s Lingerie on Film, she turned her lens—and her sense of “playful weirdness”—on Araks. What follows is a conversation about grit, creativity, and the rituals that keep her grounded—from Epsom salt baths to horoscope readings, with a few mantras (and one Britney Spears lyric) along the way.
A: Is there anything you would like to share with us about how you chose to take on this project?
MS: Getting a bunch of disposable film cameras brought back such a rush of nostalgia - dating myself, I know! It was like being a kid again, before the era of iPhones and endless digital photos. I loved the inherent constraint of a disposable: the inability to instantly edit, review, and delete. In a world of instant feedback, it's easy to fall into the trap of self-editing, and there are fewer opportunities for beautiful accidents. Plus, there's just something undeniably gorgeous about film – it lends a unique texture to everything. Being given free rein by Araks to capture their beautiful and vibrant lingerie on film felt liberating, inspiring me to embrace my sense of playful weirdness.
A: Can you tell us about your upbringing and background? What was your childhood like, and how was creativity and self-expression cultivated in your adolescence?
MS: My childhood, largely spent in the UK, was steeped in creative encouragement. My Mum was always giving me paper, pencils, paints, and crafting kits, fostering an early love for drawing and making things. As kids, we saw a lot of art, a lot of movies, read a lot of books, and travelled a lot. When I was a teenager, I interned a bunch of times for the painter Steven Hannock - learning how to mix paint and stretch canvas. In every school I attended, I naturally gravitated towards the art room - it always felt like a sanctuary to me. This ultimately led me to Paris when I was nineteen, and subsequently to New York City, to pursue a BFA in Fine Art at Parsons.
A: Can you share your journey from studying art and design at Parsons to becoming an actor?
MS: In college, my artistic explorations heavily leaned towards performance, with my body serving as both subject and medium. I crafted wearable sculptures and made films and installations that centered around my physical form. I felt incredibly inspired by New York City and the kids I was meeting - I was at Parsons but had friends at Bard, NYU & BU. In fact, it was the Josh Safdie who put me in his BU student films and got me hooked on acting and filmmaking. I started to go to acting class at night alongside my degree. And by the time I graduated, I just wanted to act - and I threw myself into theatre, reading workshops, short films, student films - anything anyone would cast me in. And that was that. It’s only now, much later I have gone back to making art with my hands again.
A: You ran the Boston Marathon in April. What inspired you to take that on? Was there a moment when you thought, “I have to do this”?
MS: In 2023, I ran the New York City Marathon for LuMind, a Down syndrome research foundation that holds a special place in my heart, as some of my son's dear friends have Down Syndrome. It was such an incredible experience- I loved it! Last winter, LuMind generously invited me to join their team again, this time for April's Boston Marathon. I was excited to fundraise again for such an important cause, plus the Boston Marathon is iconic - there was no way I was saying no to that!
A: Running 26.2 miles isn’t just physical, it’s a mental game. How do you stay focused when it gets hard, both in training and in life?
MS:
I have two life mantras, one is “never boring” - even when things are hard, uncomfortable, painful - it is never boring. Maybe I have some masochist tendencies, but I love a hard challenge and I love proving things to myself. And I might be slightly competitive… . The second mantra I stole from Glennon Doyle, and I repeat “I can do hard things” again and again and again. I used that to get me up the notorious Heartbreak Hill in Boston.
A: You spent seven years living with your character on Snowpiercer. What did playing Bess Till teach you, or leave you with, both as an actor and as a person?
MS: Oh, I loved Bess Till - I miss her. She for sure taught me invaluable lessons: the powerful coexistence of strength and vulnerability, and the vital importance of questioning who and what we serve with our actions. She and many of the characters on that show were a constant reminder to think for oneself and your community, and not to be a blind follower of reckless authority and power.
A:What kind of roles do you like the most?
MS: Ones that scare the shit out of me.
A: Training, working, and parenting, life sounds full. How do you take time for yourself these days? Are there rituals or moments that help you stay grounded?
MS: I love therapy, I love working out, I love baths and face masks, and I use the Insight App to go to sleep, and I read my horoscope religiously on the CHANI App!
A When do you feel most yourself? Is there something you put on that makes you feel comfortable, or totally you?
MS: My bathrobe after a long bath with Epsom salts :)
A: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
MS: I’m a puzzle nerd. I’m a New York Times Game junkie. I have to do the NYT crossword, Wordle, Connections, and the Mini every day. Also, if someone has a puzzle that is at least 700 pieces, I will try and sit in your house until it’s done.
THE LIGHTNING ROUND:
Dream collaborator–dead or alive?
David Lynch.
What is something you've loved for a long time?
My parents.
What is something you would love to learn?
Fluent American Sign Language.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Stop waiting for validation and permission.
Can you share a favorite quotation, lyric, or line from a book or song that has stuck with you?
“You better work bitch” Britney Spears.
What is something that you feel is Underrated?
Swearing.
What artist, project, or book would you recommend we see/follow?
Listen to the Telepathy Tapes podcast! And subscribe to The Marginalian.
What are you terrible at but love to do anyway?
Playing the guitar.
Hidden talent?
Gardening.
Can you fill in the blank? Beauty is...
Nothing if you’re an asshole.
What are you most looking forward to?
Lazy summer days.
What made you smile today?
A voice note from my fiancée.
Thank you Mickey!
Follow ~ @sumnermickey
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