How Actor Avantika Spent Her First Visit to Austin for SXSW

Every year, the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival (SXSW) gathers an exciting crowd of actors and filmmakers in Austin, Texas. This weekend, actor Avantika (who you may know from Mean Girls) was among them, promoting her new film, Pretty Lethal, a ballet-themed action film co-starring Uma Thurman, Maddie Ziegler, and Iris Apatow.

“This is my first film at a festival, ever,” Avantika tells Vogue, “and for any movie-lover, it’s nothing short of a dream to be in an environment like SXSW—let alone have a release here.”

While in town, Avantika made a point of exploring her surroundings. “There were a plethora of opportunities and excursions,” she says. “I had so many friends who had movies coming out here, as well—my co-star from my upcoming show NSWF, Jack Martin, and my best friend Joshua Colley. Friends, films, good food: What’s not to be thrilled about?”

Getting corseted in the elevator by my hairstylist, Davey! Wearing Wiederhoeft.

Photo: Anna Koblish

The star’s fun-filled SXSW began with a kitschy car ride from the airport. “Upon arriving, I took a karaoke cab, which was incredible,” Avantika says. “Granted, I don’t know how the residents felt about me terrorizing the streets of Austin with an incredibly off-key rendition of ‘Valerie,’ but I had a blast!”

From there, it was straight into work mode. Avantika attended a press day for Pretty Lethal in a black and white Wiederhoeft dress, sitting for interviews with her co-stars Thurman, Ziegler, Apatow, Millicent Simmonds, and Lana Condor. “Pretty Lethal is best described as a bloody ballet action thriller featuring the most badass cast of women,” says Avantika. “The idea of the Hungarian mafia hunting down a group of feisty ballerinas was such a fun world to play in.”

The star adds that venturing into the action genre was a whole new experience for her. “Don’t get me wrong, it was definitely a challenge—but none of us girls are scared of a little blood, sweat, and tears,” she says. “I was in ballet bootcamp during the day and frolicking around Budapest in the night with my girls.”