Actress Alexandra Shipp recently shared her unique approach to career anxiety during an appearance on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up. Alongside her co-stars Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, and Victoria Pedretti, Shipp was promoting their upcoming horror-comedy film, *Forbidden Fruits*, when the topic of manifesting success surfaced.
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The personal challenges of the entertainment industry were at the forefront of Shipp’s mind as she entered 2022. She candidly disclosed her feelings of uncertainty, saying, “I was really worried at the top of 2022 — like most actors, if you don’t have many auditions or phone calls, you’re like, ‘That’s it, I’m washed up.’” This sentiment resonates deeply with many in the industry who face the unpredictable nature of their careers.
In addressing her anxiety, Shipp turned to a longstanding personal ritual known as a “work candle” spell. “It’s like a three-hour craft — it’s a lot. You’ve got to do it on a new moon,” she explained. The new moon, which represents a time for fresh beginnings and the setting of intentions, offered Shipp the perfect backdrop for her manifestation efforts.
Rituals associated with the new moon are significant for those who believe in their power to bring about various outcomes, including love and professional opportunities. Shipp, being a Cancer sign under the moon’s influence, felt a unique connection to her lunar ritual. This connection added a layer of personal significance to her practice as she prepared to manifest her career goals.
As part of her ritual, Shipp created a candle, focused on her intentions, and recited an incantation. Her belief in the process proved fruitful when, shortly after completing her ritual, she secured a role in the highly-anticipated *Barbie* film, which she described as an unexpected yet welcome breakthrough in her career. “I booked *Barbie* like two weeks later,” she recalled, clearly attributing her success to her new moon ritual.
Currently, Shipp stars in *Forbidden Fruits*, which tells the story of a group of young women who secretly run a witchy cult while working at a mall. The film features a diverse cast, including Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, Victoria Pedretti, Emma Chamberlain, and Gabrielle Union, offering a mix of humour and darker thematic elements.
Directed by Meredith Alloway, *Forbidden Fruits* marks her directorial debut and showcases her partnership with co-writer Lily Houghton, as well as producer Diablo Cody, known for her work on *Jennifer’s Body*. Alloway described the film as a “sort of satire”, aiming to blend dark humour with the more serious undertones present in the lives of the characters.
In her comments to Collider, Alloway shared her intent to keep the film playful despite its darker moments, stating that it should provide a “fun cinematic experience” while also addressing the complexities of female relationships. “There are scenes that dig into the brutality of female relationships,” she noted, hinting at the multifaceted nature of the film.
*Forbidden Fruits*, set to release in theatres on March 27, promises a unique blend of comedy and horror, appealing to audiences who enjoy a fresh take on familiar themes. As Shipp navigates her evolving career, her experience with manifestation serves as a reminder that creativity and belief can intertwine to foster positive outcomes, making her personal journey all the more relatable for those facing similar challenges in their lives.