Shay Mitchell is on the cover of Cosmopolitan’s June issue and the actress is looking impeccable in a red swimsuit. Mitchell spoke to the magazine about everything from sexuality to career goals.
On Instagram, Mitchell shared her excitement over her cover and interview. She revealed that Cosmopolitan has been on her visionboard for 10 years, which made the shoot even more special. Among other things, the actress wrote “I often go back to that board in my head when I daydream and marvel at all of the incredible things that have come to fruition.”
The 29-year-old beauty is mostly known for portraying Emily Fields on Pretty Little Liars. Emily Fields has become a role model for many young LGBT+ people because she is an out and proud lesbian. Because of her character, Mitchell has been questioned about her sexuality countless times by both fans and reporters. She told Cosmopolitan that she doesn’t care about labels because who know what happens in the future. She said, “When I started, people were like, ‘What are you?’ I’m like, right now I’m dating a guy. I don’t know what it’s going to be in three years. You love who you love: black, white, polka-dot. That’s what my dad always said. I’m never going to label myself. “I could be 50 and dating a woman and then what? I said I was straight and now I’m not?”
Mitchell, who has almost 12 million followers on Instagram, also shared how she wants to portray herself on social media. She said, “My Instagram is like an art gallery—no blurry photos. “Come to Snapchat and see it all being made.” When asked where fans should go to see the real Shay Mitchell she answered, “Instagram is the appetizer. Snapchat is the meal.”
Although the actress is successful now, it wasn’t always that way. This means that she values hard work and dedication. She told Cosmopolitan how she would audition for roles during the day and work all night. She told the magazine, “I have so much respect for waiters, waitresses, girls who work in clubs. It’s tough. I’d have old guys saying ‘You’re so pretty. Why are you working?’ or ‘Come live with me, honey.’ Like, what, so I can be taken care of? That’s the last thing that I want. What I wanted to say was, ‘[I work] so I will never end up with someone like you.'”
Pretty Little Liars is set to end after next season. After seven years on the air, Mitchell was asked if one of her goals is to win a big acting award. To this, she answered, “I’d rather have a company. I don’t want to be dependent on a call from my agent—taking projects I’m not OK with because I need to,” she says. “To be honest, winning an Oscar is not one of my goals.”
You can pick up Shay Mitchell’s Cosmopolitan issue on stands on May 10.
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