Top by Arianne Elmy
Skirt by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet

Lilia Buckingham, an actress, dancer, author, and social media figure, started in the performing arts through musical theater as a kid alongside competitive dancing. Since then, she has amassed a following on social media and furthered her career in several directions. In 2018, she began working with Brats, a digital media network available on YouTube. Her work with Brats includes roles in “Chicken Girls,” “Total Eclipse,” “Zoe Valentine,” and “Spring Breakaway.” She narrates and executive produces “Crown Lake,” a Brats series written by Pretty Little Liars author Sarah Shephard. In 2021, she published Influence, a novel all about the lives of teen influencers, co-written with Shephard. Her newest role is Cassie in the long-anticipated “Hocus Pocus 2.” Audiences have been wishing for a sequel to the original “Hocus Pocus” since it was first released in 1993, and it has been a staple Halloween movie ever since. The announcement of the sequel has everyone anxiously waiting for this coming Halloween season.

**Left:**
Blazer, Belt, pants, stockings, shoes Belt by Dolce and Gabbana
**Right:**
Dress by IRO
Shoes by Bougee Feet at Flying Solo

What is it like to be a part of the sequel to the iconic story “(Hocus Pocus”)?
Truly, it felt like I was living in a dream. I know how important this movie is to so many people, so I think all of us just really wanted to do it justice. It’s definitely intimidating to step into a franchise with a fanbase that’s so big, but so far, everyone has been incredibly kind and supportive of the new movie. It feels like being welcomed into this big, loving family of people who adore this movie just as much as we do.

What can you tell us about your character, Cassie, and where she fits into the Sanderson sisters’ new story? Cassie is the mayor’s daughter, and her two lifelong best friends are Izzy and Becca. When we meet her though, she isn’t on great terms with them because of her new boyfriend. Classic teenage stuff, you know? I don’t know how much I can say, but we find ourselves having to work together to protect Salem and each other.

**Left:**
Top by Lory Sun
Shorts by alice + olivia by StaceyBendet
**Right:**
Blazer, Belt, pants, stockings, shoes Belt by Dolce and Gabbana

In addition to being a cult-classic film, Hocus Pocus stars some iconic actors including Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Bette Midler. What has it been like as a young actress yourself to work with such established actresses?
Oh god, I don’t even know how to put it into words. It really is one of those once in a lifetime experiences that forces you to kind of pinch yourself every second you’re on set with them. I respect and admire all of them so deeply as actresses, and so getting to watch them do their thing every day on set, and commit to these roles, was absolutely absurd and inspiring.

Do you think you learned by watching them and working with them on set? Do you think your experience working on “Hocus Pocus 2” has changed you as an actress?
Absolutely. They’re playing these outrageous and incredible characters, and they all just nail it every single time. I mean they’re icons so OF COURSE they do but getting to see it firsthand opened up this vulnerability for all of us to just fall into the story and give every performance our all. And even in between takes, I got to really pick their brains and get some phenomenal advice about all sorts of things. I’m still in awe that I get to say this quite honestly.

**Left:**
Blazer, Pants,shirt by Prabal Gurung
Shoes by ROSSI at The Confessional Showroom
**Right:**
Pants and tops by Dorothee Schumacher
Bracelet by Erickson Beamon at Showroom 7

Alongside your acting, dancing, producing and writing, you have also gained a significant following on social media with more than 1.5 million followers on Instagram. How do you balance all of your interests and pursuits with a social and personal life?
Well, when you put it like that I seem MUCH cooler than I probably am! It’s definitely a challenge, but I’ve always been someone who loves to be busy. I’ve kind of spent my whole life trying to do 300 things at once and have gotten fairly good at managing my time in a way that is efficient. When I’m doing what I love, it never really feels overwhelming. I also found that surrounding myself with people who love to do the same things I do makes it much easier to make time to write or work on developing a project. I get to be with my friends AND work with them. Two birds, one stone.

What got you interested in writing and how did you end up co-writing Influence?
I’ve always been a huge reader, and in middle school, I found myself wanting to tell my own stories. I took a creative writing class where I wrote a few short stories but ended up getting carried away. I wrote my first novel when I was fourteen, I think. And I was a HUGE fan of Sara Shepard and her writing, so I reached out to her and asked if she would be willing to give me some notes on my writing. She was incredibly kind and helpful with that first book, and when I came to her with the first concept of Influence, she got right on board with me. It was a dream come true.

**Left:**
Dress by IRO
Shoes by Bougee Feet at Flying Solo
**Right:**
Blazer, Pants,shirt by Prabal Gurung
Shoes by ROSSI at The Confessional Showroom

What inspires you both in your creative pursuits and your day-to-day life? Are there any causes you are particularly passionate about?
I think I get a lot of my inspiration from the people I surround myself with, and the music I listen to. My best friend and I spend a lot of time talking through our creative projects with each other, and we normally end up looping it back around to music for some reason. So, the simple answer is I think music really inspires me in my both my creative pursuits and my day-to-day life. I’ve got a crazy imagination, so whenever I’m listening to something, I’m also seeing a story in my head, if that makes any sense.

Social Media:
Instagram: @lilia

Top by Private Policy
Pants by Arianne Elmy
Earrings + Bracelet by Erickson Beamon at Showroom 7
Shoes by ROSSI at The Confessional Showroom

CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director + Photographer + Producer: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Talent: Lilia Buckingham
Fashion Stylist: Alison Hernon
Hair: Denis Perani using Finishing Serum from ILES FORMULA Hair Care, Thickening Dryspun Texture Spray from Bumble and bumble and Ultra Light Heather Hair Oil from MONPURE London
Makeup: Ammara Rana
Fashion Stylist Assistant: Sahar Kariem
Makeup Assistant: Sara Shakir
Fashion Stylist Interns: Flora Medina + Yue Wu
Tearsheets: Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview: Flora Medina , Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Studio: Blonde Studios

MAKEUP CREDITS:
Skin by RéVive Skincare
Skin Prep:
RéVive Glycolic Renewal Peel
RéVive Balancing Toner
RéVive Intensité Anti-Aging Eye Serum
RéVive Intensité Moisturizing Lip Balm
RéVive Moisturizing Anti-Aging Rescue Elixir
Révive Perfectif Skintone Creme

Makeup using: Armani Beauty, La Perla Beauty, FACE Atelier, Sweed Beauty , Charlotte Tilbury, Westman Atelier, Kevyn Aucoin Beauty, West Barn Co.

Product Breakdown:
Face:
Primer: Charlotte Tilbury Invisible UV Flawless Primer
Foundation: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Foundation in 5.75
Concealer: Armani Beauty Luminous Silk Concealer in 3.5
Powder: Face Atelier Ultra Pressed Powder in Translucent
Blush: Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush stick in Chouchette
Contour: Armani Beauty Neo Nude a Contour in 20 Armani Contour
Kevyn Aucoin Scuplting Powder in Medium
Highlight: Armani Beauty Fluid Sheer Glow in Light Pink
Finishing Spray: Face Atelier Ultra Matte Spray

Eyes:
West Barn Co. Brow Pencil in Sand
La Perla Beauty Sculpting Brow Gel in Transparent
Armani Beauty Smooth Silk Eye Pencil in 1 Onyx
La Perla Beauty Liquid Liner in Deep Black
Kevyn Aucoin Eyelash Curler
Sweed Pro Lash Serum
Sweed No Lash Cluster lashes
La Perla Beauty Volumizing Mascara in Ink Black

Lip:
Kevyn Aucoin Unforgettable Lip Definer in Undressed
La Perla Matte Silk Lipstick in Nude Red

@Reviveskincare @Westbarnco @Armanibeauty @Beauty.by.laperla @sweedbeauty @KevynAucoin @Faceatelier @westmanAtelier @Charlottetilbury