Julia Garner, the acclaimed Golden Globe- and Emmy-winning actress, has teamed up with Nespresso for an enchanting holiday season partnership. Known for her captivating performances on screen—in “Ozark,” “Inventing Anna,” Apartment 7A, and more—she now brings her charm and distinctive style to the nuanced world of Nespresso, first starring in the brand’s star-studded commercial alongside George Clooney and Simone Ashley.
Most recently, her collaboration with the coffee brand has led her to host new product launches, too. Last month at an exclusive breakfast at Raf’s in New York, Whitewall joined Garner as she shared a look at Nespresso’s latest holiday offerings, including the limited-edition “Festive” collection. Upon walking in, twinkling lights and Nespresso boxes adorned with bows greeted guests, while coffee brewed in the corner, breakfast was being prepared, and special visitors chatted on cozy couches.
Over sips of classic black coffee and Nespresso’s new toasted almond croissant flavor, Whitewall spoke with Garner about her partnership with the company, being back in New York for the holidays, the art of gift-giving, and how coffee completes her daily morning ritual.
Julia Garner, photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
Photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
WHITEWALL: How did this collaboration with Nespresso come about?
JULIA GARNER: First of all, I’m a huge coffee drinker—to the point where it’s a little bit of a problem. But it’s great. I got the phone call and i couldn’t belive it becaus the commercials and the campaigns for nespresso… it’s such an icnoic company. When i got that phone call, it was the easiest yes. An easy yes.
WW: For a native New Yorker and a coffee drinker.
JG: A native New Yorker! A cofee drinker! I really love coffee so much. I just love the taste of it. Sometimes i don’t even need it and i just want the taste of it. I like the way it makes me feel.
Photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
WW: What are you drinking now?
JG: Just a classic black Nespresso coffee—and in a classic glass Nespresso cup.
WW: I want to talk about drinking coffee at home, and what other kinds of morning rituals you might have. Would that be here in New York where you grew up, or did you relocate to Los Angeles?
JG: I grew up here in New York and my family still lives here, but I live in L.A. now. When I’m there, because it’s a little warmer, and we have the luxury of having an iced coffee twenty-four-seven, 365 days a year, I typically have an iced coffee. But when the temperature drops significantly, I’m always switching to a warm drink. It all has to do with the weather.
Photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
WW: How does that fit into your overall morning routine?
JG: My morning routine is that I wake up, brush my teeth, and try to drink lemon water before coffee—but I’m not always successful. Normally, I’m bad, and I go straight for coffee. One of my favorite times of day is sitting outside on my patio with coffee and being with myself before the day really starts. To me, that’s my special time. If I don’t drink coffee for at least the first 20 minutes that I’m up, I feel so bizarre. It affects me for the whole day. Trying to plan out my day and being clear with my intentions about what that day is supposed to be… And to be honest, it’s all about waking up. It takes me a minute. I’m not a morning person, let’s just say it. I love the night.
WW: Do you think your job plays into that? Or goes against it?
JG: My job is so weird. One of the reasons I thought I wanted to be an actor when I was a teenager was, “I don’t have to get up early!” My call time is literally 4 a.m. I have friends with financial office jobs and I’m up three or four hours before them!
WW: And you’re not going to bed earlier either…
JG: No! I like staying up! And it also goes back to feeling like I’m alone. It’s like going back to the morning, with half an hour by myself before the day starts. I think that time is so precious, in a way, cecause the day is so crazy.
WW: And time is limited!
JG: And energy is limited.
Photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
WW: What have your holiday plans been like this season?
JG: This is the first time I hosted Thanksgiving, so my family came to L.A., which was wonderful because they didn’t have to be there for some extreme circumstance, like a movie premiere. It was chill. And for the Christmas break, I’ve been on back-to-back jobs, so I am resting as much as possible because I don’t know what next year is going to be. I have three movies coming out next year. I just wrapped the last one a few weeks ago.
WW: It’s exciting to look forward to rest.
JG: Yes. When you get into bed, and you’re smiling, that’s how you know you’re very tired.
WW: Have you typically used holiday time in the past as an opportunity to travel?
JG: Yeah, a beach—or here. Spending the holidays in New York is so special. I feel very lucky that I grew up here and I can just go back home. I don’t have to go to a hotel and do that whole tourist thing.
Photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
WW: Can you tell me a bit more about your home home now, in L.A.? With your husband, the musician Mark Foster? What’s it like living with two creatives under one roof? Does that impact how you approach work—or entertaining guests?
JG: I think the main thing with entertaining is that with anything, you just have to plan. Having food, having too much food, is always the best way to go. You never want anyone to walk away hungry when they leave your house. I hate when that happens. Also, just having coffee for dessert. People want to stay up later and chat. there’s no clock, especially during the holidays. You’re kind of living in the moment. And ending with ice cream or coffee is great. I use my Nespresso a lot during the holidays—and when I’m working. I always have it in the trailer.
WW: Have you ever gifted a Nespresso?
JG: Oh, yeah! It’s a great gift. I’ve gifted a Nespresso machine many times. My parents have one. I gifted them one. And my friends. Coffee is so universal. It’s the most universal word, too. No matter where you are in the world, if you say “coffee” or “cafe,” everybody knows what you’re talking about. It’s the best gift. I’ve also given it to my hair and makeup artists because the set coffee is terrible. So if you have it in the makeup trailer, everyone is so grateful.
Photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
WW: What other kinds of presents do you like to gift? Any go-tos?
JG: Anything with monograms or initials. Things that people love but would never buy for themselves, including a coffee machine. Or a new one!
WW: What are you looking forward to next? You have three movies coming out, are hopefully going to recharge during the holidays,
JG: Yes, I have the holiday to recharge. Wolfman comes out January 17, and Fantastic Four, which I just wrapped, comes out next summer, and then another movie named Weapons is coming out. They’re still editing it.
WW: So, all work stuff for the near future?
JG: For now. You know, it’s such a good problem. It’s not a problem, actually. The industry has been through so much—from COVID and the strike—that I’m just grateful to be working. This is a happy time. I’m very happy right now.
Julia Garner, photo by BFA, courtesy of Nespresso.
