Get Ready with Nadine Bhabha for The Screen Awards
Danica Samuel | June 6, 2024
Photography by Nautica Simone
Video by Jay Wills
Ahead of the 2024 Screen Awards' gold carpet, the ‘How To Fail As A Popstar’ actress gets ready in the Pearl Room of Hotel X Toronto in a Tim Burton-inspired dress.
Hours before hitting the gold carpet at the 2024 Screen Awards, Nadine Bhabha is basking in the excitement of her nomination for best supporting actress in the CBC Gem series How To Fail As a Popstar. She’s elated and proud—not just of her accomplishments but of the entire cast and crew. The only catch is that it’s uncertain whether her role as Sabrina — a warm, non-judgemental, bubbly best friend and romantic partner of Vivek (Adrian Pavone) — was an act for Bhabha. That’s because her energy is infectious and equivalent to reconnecting with a longtime friend. It’s familiar. It’s loving.
Inside the Pearl Room of Hotel X Toronto on the plush silver glam chairs, she confirms, “I definitely was acting!” In the now award-winning series, we watch Sabrina support Vivek’s artistic ambitions from mall talent shows in their small town to pursuing their pop star dreams in the big city.
“One thing I do like about myself is that I am a very good friend,” Bhabha confirms in cheerfulness. “So it was just a natural transition between who I am as a person and finding myself throughout different phases in my life to inhabit those times of Sabrina.”
In the brief moments with the Letterkenny actress, she reveals her charisma as an on-the-go TikTok curator and conversationalist with deep admiration for fashion, design and artistic pleasure. So, who else other than Christal Williams could translate Bhabha’s eclectic personality into a distinct ensemble that narrates beyond colour and texture? The dedicated stylist—known to keep a bible of designers and provide a pedestal to underdogs with impeccable taste—did not disappoint. Williams had a litany of chess moves ready to play for Bhabha’s gold carpet debut, and she landed on Jina Kim— a freshly graduated Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) student who recently showcased their Eclipse Reverie collection at Mass Exodus’s Spring 2024 event. Checkmate!
“I wanted her to make a bold statement and turn every head in the room,”
The alignment was uber distinct from the initial conversations with the actress back in April, who at the time was still in awe at the exquisite red carpet looks Hunter Schafer wore during her press tour for The Hunger Games. The mood board was set with stylish, memorable artwork options designed for viewing pleasure.
“I wanted her to make a bold statement and turn every head in the room,” says Williams.
And, so said, so done.
Kim’s Fall/Winter 2025 eveningwear collection for the newly founded brand Sixnineosix was a match made in heaven for Bhabha, who describes her style as eclectic. “I’m not afraid to look like your younger sister but also your dad. I love a different kind of silhouette just to fit my mood. I love an androgynous style, very feminine if I’m feeling it. I like to pair textures, patterns, colours and clashes.”
The dress is an ode to fashion’s dark and whimsical corner where the lovers of Tim Burton’s films reside—coining the term Burtonesque. Think ballroom aesthetic crossover with Beetlejuice and Wednesday Addams at the forefront.
As finer touches, Williams balances the statement gown with two staple brands that complement each other in a unique juxtaposition. Lo’bat, inspired by Persian fashion, mixes soft and hard eco-conscious materials for abstract designs. The limited edition set on Bhabha included earrings made of five exquisite baroque pearls and a black oversized ring with a natural stone. In contrast, the national jeweller treasure—Birks, complimented the accessory treatment with dainty decadent pearls and diamonds.
“I’m not afraid to look like your younger sister but also your dad. I love a different kind of silhouette just to fit my mood.”
Kim’s modernized 1880s bustle dress with modern elements of the dropped waist and asymmetrical twists—creates a magnetism between Burton’s playfulness and evening gown ensembles. The long bodice corseted frame is a fin-de-siecle nod where wasp waists catapulted the sultry aesthetic in womenswear. Bhabha’s shape perfectly accented this Victorian Age tribute, revolutionizing the silhouettes into a formal red carpet rendition.
For sentimental synchronicities, Bhabha wore her late grandmother’s heels to coincide with Kim’s brand— named after her grandmother’s address in South Korea.
On the gold carpet, enthused and shimmering in glam—Bhabha steps into the Burton-isation of the moment with full commitment “And who knows if you say my name three times I might appear.”
Join Nadine Bhabha as she gets ready for the gold carpet at the 2024 Screen Awards.
Production: Vainqueur Magazine
Producer: Danica Samuel
Videographer: Jay Wills
Director of Photography: Nautica Simone
Video Editor: Jay Wills
Creative Director: Danica Samuel
Talent: Nadina Bhabha
Stylist: Christal Williams
Hair Stylist: Alanna Fennell
Makeup Artist: Khera Alexander of Khera Beauty
Location: The Pearl Room at Hotel X Toronto
Talent Management: Plutino Group, Thruline Entertainment
Wardrobe and Accessories: Sixnineosix, Birks Group, Lo’bat
The Latest Stories
