Cara Delevingne’s relationship with Ashley Benson is ‘very authentic & natural’

2019 Fragrance Foundation Awards

Alright, I’ll give Cara Delevingne some credit: this is a good cover. Cara covers the September issue of Marie Claire, and she managed to turn what could have been a neutral shot into something else. There’s Cara’s sullen air, almost like she’s challenging us to a fight without saying a word. And yet she doesn’t look angry? I’m telling you, it’s a good cover. Good colors too, love that shade of green. Anyway, Cara covers MC to promote her latest acting project: the Amazon series Carnival Row, which is sort of like Penny Dreadful but… more political, I guess. It’s set in sort of funhouse-mirror Victorian London and Cara plays a fairy. Sure. You can read the full MC piece here. Some highlights:

On her girlfriend Ashley Benson: The two met in the spring of 2018 on the set of Alex Ross Perry’s Her Smell: “We weren’t looking for it,” Delevingne tells me. “It was really just very authentic and natural.” I can’t help but feel that she may be doing some emotional transference when she describes Benson’s dogs as “f–king adorable” with the “f–king calmest dispositions. These two”—she gestures at her own pups—“are psychopaths” that have been punishing her for a recent absence by relieving themselves all over the house.

She’s only 26 years old: “So many people have said to me, ‘You’re 26? It seems like you’ve been around forever.’ And I’m like, ‘Well, that’s horrendous.’”

On Carnival Row: “It’s the first [thing] I’ve done where I’m really full-blown acting.” The role was taxing; fairies fly, which meant she had to master wirework. And learning the stunts was nonnegotiable: “If I hadn’t done them, I wouldn’t have been able to get there emotionally. Physicality to me is a very important way of expressing emotions.” That’s true in life too. When she struggles to process her feelings, she’ll turn on Fiona Apple or Lauryn Hill “and throw myself around and cry. They scream and you just feel it.” She grabs her neck and moans. “Just that raw female ahhhh!”

Her posh childhood: “I hope people never think I’m complaining. I had an incredible upbringing. I went to amazing schools. We were able to go on holiday.”

Her mom’s heroin addiction: “I was a nurturing child and wanted to make sure everyone was OK. It didn’t feel wrong. But looking back, I’m like, Oh, maybe I shouldn’t have been put in that position. But I wasn’t put in it; it just happened.”

On Harvey Weinstein: She was one of the cascade of women to lodge allegations against Harvey Weinstein, describing on Instagram an incident in which he lured her up to a hotel room and tried to kiss her. When other women came forward, “I was like, Oh my God, that means I was abused? I don’t think he’ll ever be able to repay what he’s done.”

Learning how to be alone: These days, Delevingne is embracing the proverbial “balance.” She drinks celery juice. She spends time alone, which used to be tough. Her family is closer now: “It’s taken time to grow apart, get some boundaries, and come back together.” She’s no teetotaler but is conscious of her inherited addiction risk—“We’re all addicted to something,” she says, indicating her phone—and tries to avoid “habitual things. I shouldn’t do the same thing every day, apart from breathing and eating.”

Her sex positivity. “I’m not just talking about sex for sex. I’m talking about experience, whether it’s abuse or confusion, positive or negative.”

[From Marie Claire]

Obviously, I’ve never been a fan of Cara, but I’ve covered a lot of her interviews and shenanigans over the years, and she sounds better here. She sounds like she’s calmed down a lot and matured a bit. I noticed the change when she fell for Ashley Benson too – suddenly, Cara wanted to be a better person, and a more private person too. She’s got the love of a good woman and it shows. And honestly, that was what Cara needed: to be in a real relationship where she could feel safe and secure. And then other sh-t fell into place.

14th Annual Tribeca Film Festival Artists Dinner

Photo courtesy of WENN, cover courtesy of Marie Claire.

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18 Responses to “Cara Delevingne’s relationship with Ashley Benson is ‘very authentic & natural’”

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  1. Sierra says:

    To be frank, I always thought that Cara will turn out to be another Miley but I am glad to be proven wrong.

    Cara seems to have good set of friends and family and now also a good partner.

  2. Esme says:

    She’s messy but sweet

  3. SKF says:

    Cara has always been an excellent model. She is not a stunner in day to day life the way Naomi or Christy or Claudia are/were but she photographs incredibly well. She has interesting features that capture the lens’ attention and she CONNECTS with her eyes. She has always taken fantastic editorial and campaign photographs. And she has a lot of energy when she does runway. Obviously her connections got her in the door in a big way; but she made it to the top because she’s a damn good model. Now, a damn good actress she ain’t; but maybe if she keeps working at it she’ll get there. Keira Knightly has improved by entire universes over the years! Emilia Clarke is still improving. Kit too! I just think her attitude in interviews needs to improve massively and she’ll be fine.

    • BeanieBean says:

      I’ve always liked her as a model. My favorite photo of her is at Cannes a few years back. She’s in a slinky 20s style gown, left hand on hip, & looking back over her left shoulder. So glamorous. And though privileged, she’s really working.

  4. Maya S. says:

    Idk why but I’ve always found her strangely endearing. I’m glad she’s doing well.

  5. CharliePenn says:

    So she has no idea when she is being abused. She didn’t know Weinstein was abusing her when he used his powerful position over her…
    and much more sadly, she still doesn’t know she was abused as a child.

    Abuse can look all different ways. Being the caretaker to an addict parent is child abuse. When I was 26 I also didn’t yet realize that I was abused by my borderline mother, who made me mother her and was an addict.

    Now at 36 I understand and continue to work through that abuse. I hope Cara can eventually acknowledge that what happened to her was wrong, so she can get help for it and learn from it. It’s important to learn boundaries, to recognize abuse, so it doesn’t happen to you over and over in your life. Your parent can love you very much, be an addict, and emotionally abuse you all at the same time.

    • Diamond says:

      I just read an article describing signs of verbal abuse in a marriage and I’ve experienced nearly every example. While I knew something wasn’t right, I’d never have thought to label it abusive.

      • Snazzy says:

        Me too. I’m 42 and only just realised how badly I was emotionally abused as a child by my mother.

        Hopefully when she does finally come to the realisation that this too was a form of abuse (her dealings with her mother) she’ll be surrounded by good people who can help her through it, as it’s a realisation that kicks your ass

  6. Mrs. Peel says:

    The Marie Claire cover photo is absolute perfection!

  7. duchess of hazard says:

    One of the few modern models who can be called a supermodel. I like the fact that she has personality, tbh. I loved her turn on “Hot Wings” https://www.teenvogue.com/story/cara-delevingne-hot-wings

    Dunno about her acting chops. She reminds me of Milla Jovovich. I love looking at her, but her acting chops… ehhh.

    I think Delevinge sings too, iirc.

  8. Trillion says:

    Shades of Margaux Hemingway and I’m here for it.

  9. Lucy says:

    Good for her! Honestly. I believe everything she says here.

  10. Naddie says:

    I root for her. Previous interviews showed that her life’s been tough, despite all the supposed advantages she was born with. I wish her the best.

  11. Justwastingtime says:

    I have seen some fug pics of her but these are very good. And yes, you can be privileged and have a difficult childhood, I expect that she is just now sorting it out. Good for her.

  12. Nicegirl says:

    I have a soft spot for her, too. Also here to say I think Ashley Benson is stunningly beautiful. I agree with the shades of Margeaux Hemingway comment as well! Interesting and pretty cover

  13. clairej says:

    I think she is a fantastic model, but terrible in motion. Wish she would stick to modelling.

  14. NeoCleo says:

    I like her look and have always thought she is an excellent model. Haven’t seen any of her acting work. Any good?