Chillin’ With Gabriella Wright

By Joseph Luparello

Gabriella Wright is an actress, model, activist, and motivational speaker with long-standing humanitarian engagement.

Her next big role is set in the Lionsgate film The Hitman’s Wife’s alongside Salma Hayek, Antonio Banderas, Ryan Reynolds, and Samuel L. Jackson. Gabriella portrays the only female assassin ‘Veronika’ in the action-packed comedy directed by Patrick Hughes. The film is the sequel to its successful predecessor The Hitman’s Bodyguard (2017).

As a lifelong thespian, Gabriella has an equal passion for humanitarian causes. She developed Never Alone, a mental well-being and suicide prevention initiative of the Chopra Foundation, which she currently oversees as co-founder alongside Deepak Chopra and Poonacha Machaiah. She is also the innovator of the Mental Hygiene Toolkit, a collection of mind-cleansing and self-awareness tools that help individuals nurture their bodies, minds and spirit, while developing inner guidance to consciously choose the best path for their lives. Born from the tragic passing of her sister who took her life in 2018, Gabriella’s mission in life has expanded to provide free services to those struggling, and to promote healing for those touched by suicide.

She will soon also be seen starring in the indie feature film “I Am Never Alone” in partnership with the Never Alone initiative, which will be making film festival rounds in 2022.

Chilled sat with Wright to learn about her bartending past and get a better understanding of her lifestyle off-screen.

Chillin’ With Gabriella Wright

Chillin’ With Gabriella Wright

Photo by JSquared Photography

Tell us about the projects you are working on.

The recently released film The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard; action comedy alongside Salma Hayek, Ryan Reynolds, Tom Hopper and Antonio Banderas. It has been 3 years in the making and the release couldn’t have been at a better time as we transit from the strict Covid protocols to a more relaxed environment.

With your busy schedule, what do you like to do with your downtime?

Meditate and go on hikes. Prior to the pandemic I would just jump on a plane and go discover a new place, a luxury certainly.

When you go out to eat, where do you like to dine?

In Los Angeles I love going to Crossroads, fine vegan cuisine. Another place that I love is Nicolas Eatery in Malibu, French cuisine.

What types of dishes do you typically order?

Anything with avocado here in LA. Seriously… I love a French onion soup and a vegetarian spaghetti carbonara from Crossroads.

Chillin’ With Gabriella Wright

Chillin’ With Gabriella Wright

Photo by JSquared Photography

Any favorite bars?

I love the bar at the Chiltern in London.

What drinks do you order when out? Favorite drink?

I do not really drink anymore, but when I travel to France in the summer, I have a local rosé wine from the South of France called rosé du domaine du Val d’astier.

Do you prepare drinks at home?

No, but I do prepare teas and lead tea ceremonies. I have teas from all over, different types of Pu’er tea from China, green teas from Japan, and Ayurvedic herbal teas from India.

Tell us about your home bar. What is it stocked with?

Only pink French champagne for anyone who visits.

Chillin’ With Gabriella Wright

Chillin’ With Gabriella Wright

Photo by JSquared Photography

Have you ever been a bartender?

Yes, and I probably was the worst bartender in human history. I was too overwhelmed and was pathetic in giving back quick change to customers. It was a summer job at my extended family’s nightclub bar called Mooseheads in Canberra, Australia.

If you could share a drink with anyone, who would it be?

I hesitate between my all-time fascination William Shakespeare and ask him about how he was able to write these evergreen masterpieces that transcend time and Audrey Hepburn on how she navigated life, Hollywood, her humanitarian desires, and her personal life.

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