Amanda de Cadenet had her first identity crisis at age 22 when she decided to get sober.
She was ready for another change.
You go through these big growth phases, and that was 28 for me.
On the weekends, she forwent L.A. nightlife in lieu of the farmers market with her 9-year-olddaughter, Atlanta.
You think, Oh, I was this person for a while, and then I was her.
Who am I today, and what do I care about?
What means something to me?Whomeans something to me?
Shes also the host ofVictorias Secrets new podcast,VS Voices.
Below, the multihyphenate reflects on single motherhood, riding motorcycles with Keanu, and finding photography.
Take me back to 1999 and 2000.
What was age 28 like for you?
Its such a pivotal year, especially for women.
It was a brave year for me.
I had the courage to live a life that fitted me more.
Walk me through a typical weekend at that age.
Most of my weekends were spent with friends and other sober women who had kids.
I was a single mom, and your girlfriends are so important.
I would have other moms over to cook, the kids would hang out.
How was it in L.A. as a single, divorced mom?
I didnt have any friends when I moved from London.
It was really difficult.
Idinterviewed Keanu Reeveson my TV show in the U.K. when I was 18.
We used to go motorbike riding together.
What CDs were on repeat?
I’ve listened to so much music, but I’m still listening to The Strokes 20 years later.
Thank God my husband makes music that I love because otherwise Id be truly screwed.
I have very eclectic tastes.
I mean, better than *NSYNC.
Thats probably what I was listening to in 2000.
Hey, it takes all kinds!
What made you feel you were ready to make such a big career change?
Ive never had a traditional career trajectory.
When people were graduating from high school,I was in juvie.
I dont have a traditional education, but I continue to learn and teach myself.
I realized I was a storyteller and Ill use whatever medium I can.
And then I rememberBritish Voguehired me, and I did, like, a 24-page portfolio for them.
I asked myself, Am I any more talented yesterday than I am today?
No, its just that I got this opportunity.
I had a lot of anxiety about it.
I loved it, but I didnt know how it would turn out.
It was very, very scary.
How were you thinking about money back then?
I wish women were taught financial literacy in school.
Were doing young women such a disservice by not teaching them financial autonomy.
Now, your career involves talking to so many icons.
Who were your main role models back then?
Historical figures, authors, or poets.
I was reading a lot ofAnne Sexton, whose work is so dark, but phenomenal.
And I was obsessed withDiane Arbus.
She photographed people who werent accepted into mainstream culture, niche communities, just different kinds of people.
What advice would you give your 28-year-old self?
You have not been carried this far to get dropped now.
I would reassure myself that you’re able to feel terrified and still leap, still have faith.
That fear isnt an indication that things arent going to work out.
you’re free to feel scared and make the move anyway.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
This article was originally published onJune 2, 2022
