Writer, artist and creative storyteller Tallulah Willis is irrevocably human. Her diaristic work has become an art of exposing life’s tender underbelly, always with a joke tucked into the margins.
Writer, artist and creative storyteller Tallulah Willis is irrevocably human, as though her heart was made two sizes too big. “Yes, be exactly who you are, just make sure it fits in here,” reads one of the pen drawings pinned to the top of her Instagram page, a line-drawn hand pointing towards a minute box. “Pain to paper circa 2022,” reads the caption. Its humour belies a familiar preoccupation: how to remain wholly yourself in a world forever asking you to become smaller. It is a fitting introduction to a creative practice built on close observation of herself and the world around her, using her platform to remind others of the simple truth that no one is alone in what they feel. Tallulah’s diaristic work returns repeatedly to questions of identity, becoming known for speaking openly about addiction, recovery, body dysmorphia, autism and mental health. Yet critical creativity remains the common thread. Whether through pen-and-ink doodles, personal essays or public advocacy, Tallulah has made an art of exposing life’s tender underbelly, always with a joke tucked into the margins.
What’s your earliest memory of music having an effect on you?
I’m six years old and “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey” by Paul and Linda McCartney is blasting through the speakers while my dad makes corn-cakes. I remember loving all thedifferent parts of that song, especially because they didn’t really make sense, but each little pocket stuck in my head at different times.
What does it mean to you to be original?
To be original is to be on the frontier. It’s brave to look foolish, silly and embarrass yourself. It’s high risk, high reward. It’s listening to what your inner-compass says over what the general appeal is, but not forsaking something that has a following just because it has a following. Letting all things be an ingredient to the frittatas of you.
When did you last get in trouble?
I shook hands with Scout [Willis] that I wouldn’t vape for a month, and then I vaped that night.
What’s turning you on creatively right now?
I’m feeling so drawn to this very specific type of glass from France in the 1930s/1940s called Saint-Gobain. It’s green-hued and very hard to find. Also, I’m super amped on integrity and honesty right now.
What’s been your greatest act of artistic rebellion?
Saying “no thank you” politely but firmly when I was really scared to. I am a huge people pleaser, so to stand for my art and value myself was a huge threshold to cross.
WONDERLAND SUMMER 2026. GUEST EDITED BY MILEY CYRUS. SHOP NOW.
Photography Mario Sorrenti
Chief Creative Officer & Styling Alastair McKimm
Words Ella Bardsley
Hair Bob Recine
Make-up Diane Kendal
Set Design Philipp Haemmerle
Executive Producer Dana Brockman
Producer Max Bonbrest
Casting Alexandra Antonova for Samuel Ellis Scheinman
Lighting Technician Lars Beaulieu
1st Photo Assistant Kotaro Kawashima
Photo Assistants Paolo Afante, Kurt Mangum
Digital Tech Charles Meyer
Fashion Assistants Taylor Wood, Kassidy Taylor
Hair Assistant Jeelan Aleem
Make-up Assistants Eduardo Jiminez, Breanna Harmon
Set Assistants Oscar Haemmerle, Xavier Mozejewski
Production Assistant Din Morris
