The dazzling and divine Olivia Holt has just a few more performances left in “Chicago” bringing the legendary Roxie Hart to life with her own special touch of magical pizzaz. We were honored to meet Olivia as she arrived at the theatre and joined her backstage during glam time as she transformed into Roxie. It felt like we had stepped into another time and space with this gorgeous and gifted lady. We snapped an intimate photo diary and chat Olivia’s self care, style, beauty and Roxie’s bare essentials. So grab a seat scroll down and enjoy the show below…..

The Bare Magazine: what are your top 2 favorite scenes in the play?

Olivia Holt: I love performing “we both reached for the gun” into “roxie”. Being onstage for both of those numbers are incredibly thrilling and fun.

Bare: describe the similarities and differences of roxie's personality to yours. has getting to know her been an inspiration?

OH: I’ve really loved getting to know Roxie and go on this wild journey with her. She is a woman with aspiration and big dreams and I think that’s where we share similarities. She is quick on her feet and beats to the rhythm of her own drum. She also finds herself in terrible situations which I feel lucky enough to say I can’t relate to.

Bare: in what ways is performing in front of a live audience been an enriching experience?

OH: The energy and feedback you get live is something I can’t compare to anything else I’ve done before. We get to transport people into a story and let them live and breathe every moment with us and there’s just something so special about that.

Bare: can you share at least 3 main rituals before each performance? You mentioned music as an important element ....

 OH: I made a Roxie playlist that I listen to before each show that includes songs a handful of female empowered songs, from madonna, to ariana grande, to marilyn monroe, megan thee stallion, rhianna and many more!

it’s also imperative that I stretch and do some yoga before I start my glam.

I also like to make some tea and do my vocal warm-ups.

Bare: watching you apply a smokey eye in your dressing room was impressive. you're quite a pro!

OH: thank you! I personally don’t think I’m the best at applying make-up but I have had fun creating roxie’s whole look. from red painted nails, to a deep red lip, and the smokey eyes that adds a whole level of fierceness to her personality.

Bare: what are your main self care rituals...pre-show/after-show, that keep you grounded and feeling good?

OH: I definitely like to preserve my energy throughout the day before a show so I won’t go too hard on my workouts, but I do like to do a bit of self care which includes yoga and skin prep. 

as far as aftershow goes I keep it really low-key most of the time, I’ll take an Epsom salt bath and turn on my favorite show and get some good rest.

Bare: how would you describe your real life nyc style? can you share a few go-to's including makeup/skin/hair/clothes you love? 

OH: my style varies on how I’m feeling that day but I’m always most comfortable and confident in a pair of jeans, a tee, and some sneakers. 

I also like to keep my make up very light into a minimum and my hair all really just let it do its thing throughout the day. 

Bare: please list the top 5 ROXIE beauty bare essentials.

OH:

solawave

sonya dakar blue butterfly balm

shandi darden under eye treatment

lashify lashes

lukas papaw ointment as lip balm 

Olivia wears her own clothing

Photos/Makeup: Tina Turnbow using Ogee

Shot at the Ambassador Theatre NYC