Rising star in the global entertainment industry, French Chinese actress/model Maewenne Declerieux was born in Lyon, France in 2004. At age 17, the exotic beauty embarked on her modelling and acting career, and hasn’t looked back. Her recent acting achievements have included being cast in lead roles in the French language short film Timid Intentions, directed by Leo Louvel, and in the Chinese-produced shorts, I Don’t Care (director Hui Yu), Echoes (director Fei Cao) starring alongside Anthony Sayo, and Lucky Time (director MinJia Du). She also has a supporting role in the French short Edibles by director Kliverth Matos.
Her television work included lead roles in the series Little Secrets Between Family (director Gilles Maillard) that aired on France’s top channel TF1, and shot the pilot Hide & Seek (director Magalie De Genova) for TV5. She also stars in the music video Sweet Delusion for the song by Filipina social media star and singer Bella Poarch.
On the modeling and commercial side, Maewenne was booked as the lead model for the global campaign for Westfield featuring French haute couture designers Dylan Parienty and Christophe Guillarme. She also has appeared in the commercial campaign for French Korean beauty brand Brynn Beauty.
The international artist speaks four languages; French, Mandarin, English and Spanish and studied film production and communications at The University of Montreal.
We had the chance to interview the budding sensation making waves on the international entertainment scene.
What inspired you to pursue acting as a career?
Growing up I watched a lot of French and American cult-classics that immediately became references that I would fully integrate in my everyday life. For example, as a kid I would endlessly ask my friends if we could recreate scenes from my favorite movies in the playground. I would make decisions, like choosing my dessert at the school cafeteria, based on what the movie character I most recently hyper-fixated on would do and try to mimic their way of talking and moving. I’ve always been fascinated by the ability of those people I saw on screen to embody another person’s reality, emotions, and experiences. Then this interest got comforted by my dad. He’s a big cinephile and watching movies with him was one of my favorite things ever. He was always filming me too; either in random and candid moments or in moments where we would actually put on a show, and I would play out little scenarios. Acting became my outlet for expression, and I realized early on that I felt most alive in front of the camera or on set.
How did you prepare for your very first audition?
My first real audition where I had to prepare a scene was nerve-wracking. It was for an indie French movie; I remember rehearsing the lines endlessly in my bedroom and just overthinking every detail. I can still feel the way my heart was beating chaotically. I didn’t have formal training at the time, so I just tried to focus on being honest, not on “performing” in the traditional sense, but really listening, staying present, and allowing whatever emotion came up to live there. I still like to mainly rely on instinct and energy. I feel like it brings out a certain rawness and vulnerability.
What acting techniques or methods have you trained in?
I pull a lot from improvisation and physical work; I believe in the power of physicality because it simply tells you so much about who a person is before they even speak. Working with movement coaches has been amazing; they often bring something out of you that you didn’t know you were capable of. It really does make a difference on screen and on how you feel in connection to your character and their environment. Every role asks for something a little different, so I try to stay flexible and open to different techniques and processes.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve received so far?
“Don’t wait for permission.” That advice changed everything for me. It’s so easy to fall into this trap of thinking you need to be chosen, validated, given access. Especially in an industry that is often glamorized and put on a pedestal. But I think if you’re constantly waiting to be invited in, you’ll miss your chance to build something of your own. I believe you have to claim space and what you have to say matters and that you can belong in this world as much as another performer whom you may look up to.
Who are some of your favorite actresses of recent years?
I love Taylor Russell, there’s something so grounded about the way she performs, a quiet power in the way she works; this balance of presence and restraint is rare and impressive to watch. To be able to take on a movie like Bones And All you have to be quite exceptional. I also admire Rosamund Pike for her subtle and always on point. Her role in Gone Girl still gives me chills; it’s so layered, and then in Saltburn, she brought something completely different again. She has this elegance that can turn icy or deeply emotional or farcical in a second, and I love how unpredictable she can be. I really admire actresses who aren’t afraid to play with discomfort or ambiguity.
What advice would you give to other aspiring actresses just starting out?
Train your intuition as much as your technique. Know yourself, take classes, surround yourself with people who believe in you, and never compare your timeline to anyone else’s, it doesn’t define your talent or where you’ll end up. I think that’s the paradox: this industry moves fast, but your growth as an artist isn’t a race.
Are there any directors or actors/actresses you dream to work with in the future?
So many! One that comes to mind immediately is Ruben Östlund. I just adore his take on human behaviors and modern social stakes. It’s unsettling, funny, human, sometimes absurd but always on point. I think being part of one of his films would be both challenging and unforgettable. I would also be thrilled to collaborate with directors like Mike White, whom is a genius to me. His writing is so sharp and specific; he’s able to capture human contradictions in a way that feels both satirical and deeply empathetic. The White Lotus is such a good example of that. You laugh and squirm and then suddenly feel something really honest. That’s the kind of storytelling I’m drawn to. On the acting side, sharing the screen with someone like Phoebe Waller-Bridge would be an absolute dream. She strikes me as incredibly generous with both her energy and her craft. Watching her really made me want to explore the nuances of comedy more.
Where do you see your acting career in the next five years?
In five years, I see myself working internationally across film and streaming, ideally with a mix of European, U.S. and Asian productions. Consistently in movement; everywhere and everything. I feel really at home in that in-between space. I’d love to expand to action movies too I think; I also hope I’ll be creating my own projects by then; not just acting but writing and producing stories that feel urgent and beautiful and strange.
Can you tell us about your upcoming film or TV projects?
Yes! I’m really excited about what’s coming. My short film Timid Intentions is currently screening theatrically in France and will be on Amazon Prime in 2026. I play Leïla, a young aspiring actress who meets Sam, an interesting and somewhat mysterious young movie enthusiast. The premiere was so special, and I feel like it really touched people. Another short I worked on, called La Grande Envie, is coming out on October 8th, with a premiere at the beautiful Cinéma Le Balzac in Paris. I also just got signed onto another short, this one produced by major French cable channels and supported by the CNC. It’s directed by Michaël Yip, with a focus on the relationship between siblings in a tough environment, where that bond becomes the only thing that can really save you. The main themes are identity, societal expectations and love. It’s intimate and emotional, and I’m so looking forward to dive into it.
How can we follow your career? (website, social media?)
You can follow my journey on Instagram @maewennedeclerieux. I share updates, behind-the scenes and upcoming work there!
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