Ava Paloma
Ava Paloma has continued to expand her career as an actress and producer. With her newest project, The Razor’s Edge, alongside James Franco and Paul Ben-Victor approaching, projects with Netflix and A24 in the works, and her production company, WV4 Productions, continuing to grow, Paloma is entering an exciting new chapter in her career. In this interview, she discusses the projects she's been part of, as well as how she navigates life beyond her profession. We get an inside look at motherhood, wellness, and her evolving sense of style, while highlighting the grounded perspective she brings to both her career and personal life. She emphasizes that staying present, maintaining a simple routine, and pursuing what she loves keep her grounded and shape how she approaches both her career and her life. In addition, as a former member of The Collective NYC, she reflects on how the acting community gave her valuable experiences observing professionals at their craft while teaching her the essential components of teamwork, presence, and attentiveness.
A project that you’re a part of, The Razor’s Edge, is coming up with James Franco and Paul Ben-Victor. What drew you to the project and to your character?
James and Paul are both iconic actors, and honestly, working alongside them was thrilling. James even took a moment out of his busy day to say hello to my son, who was about a year old at the time—a lovely, unexpected cherry on top. I love a good father-daughter relationship. I think there’s so much meat in those relationships: the love, the tension, the loyalty that holds even when things get complicated. That’s the part of the story I couldn’t wait to sink into.
What was your experience working closely with James Franco and Paul Ben-Victor on The Razor’s Edge? Did you take anything away from working alongside them?
I actually saw Paul perform a few years ago at The Actors Studio in First Born by Lyle Kessler. He's done so many notable performances over the years, but that particular play stuck with me. The whole ensemble was incredible, and it genuinely deepened my love for acting. So, getting the chance to work opposite him on this felt like it had come full circle in a way. On set, he brings a level of skill and presence that energizes the whole scene—honestly, the whole set. What I really took away from working with him is how much that kind of experience elevates everyone around it. You rise to meet it.
You’ve mentioned using pig lard in your skincare routine. How did you start using it, and has your family’s farm influenced the way you think about skincare and wellness?
Haha, yes, the lard! I'll own it: I put pig fat on my face. It started because my sister raises pigs on her regenerative farm, Wildom Farm, in Deep Creek, Maryland, and she began making a lotion from their fat for our family to use. I was skeptical at first—I mean, it's pig fat—but I tried it, and I was genuinely amazed. The pigs are fed all-organic feed, drink whey from a local cheesemonger, and are raised in the forest and pasture. Honestly, they have a better life than most humans. Not to get too scientific, but pig fat is actually closer in composition to human skin than tallow, which comes from cows. And people are increasingly wary of the high linoleic acid content in animal fats, which can be higher when animals are raised on corn and soy. My sister's pigs don't eat corn or soy, so their linoleic acid levels are some of the lowest around. The only pigs with lower levels are raised in Hawaii on a diet of coconuts. Honestly, since using her product, I've definitely simplified my beauty routine. That's not to say I don't love a good beauty splurge—I do. Those Ulta emails I get every day are treacherous, and I'm a total sucker for a good freebie or sample pack. But I've learned that simpler is usually better. Anything beyond that is really just for fun. What my sister makes is special and high quality, and it genuinely feels right the moment you put it on your skin. If I lost anyone along the way, I apologize, but trust me, it's a genuinely great, one-of-a-kind product that works wonders. I'll also add: I have zero stretch marks on my stomach, even after carrying a big baby, because I lathered myself in it throughout my pregnancy.
You’ve expressed that sleep is one of your biggest wellness priorities. How do you make time for rest when your schedule gets busy?
Sleep is everything. As a new mom, I definitely lost a lot of it during those first two years, and honestly, I'm still helping my toddler sleep through the night. Yes, at two and a half, he still wakes two or three times a night. Knowing how important sleep actually is, I just prioritize it ruthlessly, if I have to. Dishes or a nap? Nap. Run an errand or nap with the baby? Nap. Watch one more episode on Netflix or go to bed early? Bed early. Even exercise or a nap? Nap, every time. That one might surprise people, but showing up to a workout exhausted is doing yourself a disservice. Rest wins. When my schedule genuinely gets busy—auditions, a demanding shoot day, whatever—I can push through on less sleep for a day or two if I have to. But the moment I have a window to catch up, I take it. It's a top priority on my to-do list, not an afterthought.
After spending so much time in the hair and makeup chair for work, what does your beauty routine look like when you’re off set? Is there a product or beauty ritual you especially love?
Obviously, I love using my sister's product, Lather. Beyond that, I'm a big Korean skincare fan, apparently along with the rest of the world at this point. Medicube is great, and I'm a sucker for a good vitamin C serum. I make sure I'm hydrating with added electrolytes, and I take a few supplements religiously: B12, creatine, and omega-3s. And then there's massage. I love a good back rub; there's honestly nothing better. Years ago, I read an article about Halle Berry getting a three-hour massage once a week, and I remember thinking, That's the dream. Ha, it might have genuinely been a driving force behind wanting to build a successful career, so that one day I, too, could have a standing three-hour massage. Hashtag life goals. For makeup, I love Ilia. And even though I lean pretty natural most days, I'll say it: Kylie Cosmetics makes really good products. Her eyeshadows, her lip products, everything I've tried from that line has genuinely impressed me.
With projects with both Netflix and A24 coming up, what kinds of roles or stories are you most drawn to right now?
Lately, I keep falling into two very different camps. On one side, I've been reading for these silly, charming, maybe a little gullible, just plain sweet characters, and I genuinely love them. On the other side, I've read for some full-on evil women—the kind where you have no idea what they're actually thinking. They're purely in it for themselves, and they're capable of absolutely anything to get ahead. Honestly, those are just as fun to play. But if I zoom out, what actually excites me most, across either camp, is relentless persistence. Give me a character who's chasing something against all odds, no matter how sweet or how ruthless she is, and I'm in. That's pure gold to me.
How do you find balance between your career, motherhood, and making time for yourself?
There are really two parts to how I make this work. The first is keeping it simple: every morning, I write down three goals for the day—one for my son, one for my career (an audition, emailing my rep, editing a social post), and one wildcard. It could be another thing for Bo, something around the house, or carving out time with my husband. Whatever it is, it's just three things. I always get those three done, and anything beyond that is icing on the cake. The second part is support. This isn't widely known, but for the first two years with my son, we actually lived between my parents' place and my husband's mom's. We hadn't decided where we wanted to settle yet and were exploring both areas. I had real help during that time. It wasn't always glamorous—living out of two homes with a baby rarely is—but my son is incredibly close with all of his grandparents because of it, and it gave my husband and me the space to actually get work done. Now we have our own home, and I have a sitter a few days a week, which has been essential.
What have you learned from being part of The Collective NYC, and how has that community influenced you as an actor?
The Collective holds the dearest part of my heart, and it always will. The actors who started the group are some of the most dedicated, soulful performers I've ever met, and it's no surprise they're all off having incredible careers now. I actually joined during the group's last few years, and I hold that time incredibly close to my heart. I got a front-row seat to watch the best of the best at work.
How has your experience with The Collective NYC shaped the way you approach acting and collaborating with other individuals in the industry?
Most of the actors in The Collective were Meisner-trained, either directly by Bill Esper or through his studio. Meisner acting is really like playing acting table tennis. You have to be completely in it, focused, playing off exactly what the other person gives you and giving it right back just as honestly. You have to be present, prepared, and willing to drop every preconceived notion of how a scene is "supposed" to go and just show up ready to play. It's thrilling. It's a sport. The Collective itself didn't accept everyone; you had to work to become part of it. Once you earned that badge, that honor, you showed up. Everyone brought their best because they wanted the work itself to shine, not just their own performance. That's really what the group taught me about collaborating: it's not about competing to be the best in the room; it's about helping each other shine. Even when I'm working with an actor who isn't Meisner-trained or isn't from that world at all, that same instinct stays with me. I show up prepared, ready to roll up my sleeves, and focused on making the work, and the people I'm working with, better.
How has becoming a mom changed the way you dress, and what pieces or styling tricks do you rely on to feel confident while keeping up with mom life?
The biggest shift in how I dress as a mom is this: I don't wear anything so precious that the clothes become more important than my son. I love white tees and simple basics, things that can get dirty, stretched out, or stained without me flinching, because right now, he's my priority, not my wardrobe. That said, a few pieces and tricks help me still feel like myself. Quince tees are a daily staple—crisp and simple. Madewell denim is my go-to for jeans that actually hold up to mom life. A cinched waist is probably my biggest trick. I have a small waist, and it's honestly one thing that still makes me feel a little sexy, even on the simplest, most stripped-down day. I finish most looks with Catbird jewelry, something simple and elegant, and lately, I'm living in my New Balance sneakers. On days I don't have time to do much with my hair, I'll just let it fall into messy waves and call it done. Fresh, simple, done.
Has being connected to Wildom Farm changed the way you approach food, skincare, and overall wellness?
Being connected to Wildom Farm makes me feel deeply connected to the source of what I'm consuming. We can get so detached from our food these days; most people genuinely have no idea what's actually going into what they eat. I know it's impossible to monitor every single thing I consume, but the farm is one place I can count on for full certainty: I know exactly what I'm putting into my body. It's the same reason I love using my sister's skincare product, Lather. I know exactly what's in it and where it came from. For overall wellness, I really believe simple is best. Sleep, hydration—the things that are actually free—are usually the best things you can do for yourself. When I can't be fully certain about something, I aim for the most educated choice I can make and let that be enough.
What are you most excited about when you look at what’s ahead in your career?
I'm most excited about the momentum itself. Between Razor's Edge and a few other projects I can't talk about quite yet, it feels like years of hard work are finally turning into real, recognizable opportunities, and that shift has been incredibly grounding. I'm not chasing anymore; I'm just showing up and doing good work, and I love creating from that place. I'm also excited to keep building WV4 Productions alongside my own acting. There's something exciting about shaping stories from both sides of the camera. And honestly, I just want to keep playing characters with that relentless persistence I love so much—women who go after what they want against all odds. If the last couple of years are any indication, I think the best is still ahead.
CREW CREDITS:
Talent: Ava Paloma
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz
Photogrpaher: Allie Hine
Fashion Stylist: Madison Reynolds
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Ali Rosoff, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
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