From Cowboy Boots to Cannes
Whether he’s wrangling cattle, charming an audience in a Netflix rom-com, or stepping onto the red carpet in Cannes, Pierson Fodé’s career is a masterclass in range. He moves between worlds with the ease of someone who knows exactly who he is, yet never stops surprising you. In his latest lineup of roles, he’s blending cowboy grit with Mediterranean suavity, tackling tech-world romance, and adding holiday magic to his filmography. In conversation, Fodé is quick-witted, refreshingly candid, and just the right amount of self-deprecating. Here, BELLO steps into his world of storytelling, style, and the fearless pursuit of authenticity.
Pierson Fodé @piersonfode Photography Steve Limones @stevelimonesphotography Styling Jenny Ricker @jennyricker Assistant Styling Angel Victor Prado @angelvprado Grooming Danni Katz @dannidoesit Special Thanx Gary Mantoosh @garymantoosh at The Initiative Group @initiativepr
Location x Production BELLO Media Group x Maison Privée @bellomediagroup x @maisonpriveepr_la
Cover Look: Grey and Brown Stripe Blazer VELASCA @velascamilano Pants VELASCA @velascamilano Black Loafer Shoes LOUBOUTIN @christianlouboutin Jewelry square necklace and oval ring – VENYX @venyxworld Dark Band gold face Watch PANERAI @panerai | Right: Tank KING AND TUCKFIELD @kingandtuckfield Pinstripe Pants SIMKHAI @simkhai
From Cannes to Netflix rom-coms to Emmy-nominated daytime drama, your range as an actor is impressive. How has your evolving career shaped your personal style and how do you express yourself through fashion? “My career and my style have grown up together, like teenagers growing out of their awkward phase. Early on, my style was whatever was clean and didn’t smell like a gym bag or my cows. Now, fashion feels like storytelling. The red carpets demand a tux that says, ‘I might order a martini shaken, in a dirty glass’ while The Wrong Paris wanted boots that say, ‘I wrestle cows before breakfast.’ My style is rugged when it needs to be, tailored when it counts, and somewhere in the middle it’s just me—probably in boots I’ve had for years because they’ve got more miles than my car. If I can walk into a room and the outfit tells part of the story before I open my mouth, I’m doing it right.”
In The Wrong Paris, your character becomes the unexpected heart of a hilariously misdirected dating show. What drew you to the role, and how do you approach blending charm, vulnerability, and comedy on screen? “What drew me in was that Trey’s not a polished reality-TV bachelor, he’s a homegrown cowboy who somehow ends up with cameras in his face and 19 women fighting for his attention. He’s figuring it out as he goes, which is where the humor and heart come from. Comedy happens when authentic moments get messy, vulnerability happens when you’re okay looking stupid, and charm is what sneaks up on you in between. Trey’s like if Matthew McConaughey accidentally wandered onto The Bachelor set and thought, ‘Alright, guess we’re doing this.’ Playing him let me blend all of that… and yes, there’s a mechanical bull involved.”
You’re starring opposite Lily James in Swiped, inspired by the life of Bumble’s founder. What did stepping into a character based in the world of tech, dating, and modern entrepreneurship teach you, about love, ambition, or even yourself? “It taught me that love and tech have one thing in common, they both demand immense dedication and hard work to succeed. In the end, it’s worth every moment of struggle if you’re working toward your purpose. Playing a character in this world reminded me how much courage it takes to build something from scratch, whether it’s an app or a relationship. It also made me laugh at my own dating history, I once took a girl to the movies and afterward she told me she didn’t like watching movies. RED FLAG. So, of course, we parted ways and I happily went home and watched another movie. My biggest takeaway is that real connection doesn’t come from the perfect profile, it comes when you drop the filters and show up with all your quirks. Don’t waste time trying to be anything but authentic with the person you plan to spend your life with.”
Knitted Shirt JULIE COLQUITT @juliecolquittart Olive Pants SIMKHAI @simkhai Jewelry – turtle shell ring VENYX @venyxworld and gold cuff KINRADEN @Kinraden | Right: White Tank ATELIER CILLIAN @atiliercillian
You’ve worked across wildly diverse settings, from the Mediterranean in the upcoming Eternity to small-town America in The Wrong Paris. How do your surroundings, on or off set, influence your creative process, and your wardrobe? “Your surroundings absolutely bleed into the work. The landscape, or set, is always a character in the story. In the Mediterranean for Eternity, I’ll be living in linen shirts and walking on a yacht with a mission to be the world’s smoothest con man. Shooting in Texas for The Wrong Paris, it was denim, boots, and that swagger you only get when there’s dust in the air. Even off set, travel changes how I approach a character, different places crack open different sides of you. One day I’m thinking like a poet in Santorini, the next I’m thinking like a guy who just got bucked off a horse and needs Advil. Both make it on screen. But my process always stays the same: I work the script until it has nothing left to give me, I build the character’s backstory, and then I choose wardrobe that tells the story without a word. It should feel seamless.”
Knitted Shirt JULIE COLQUITT @juliecolquittart Olive Pants SIMKHAI @simkhai Jewelry – turtle shell ring VENYX @venyxworld and gold cuff KINRADEN @Kinraden | Right: White Shirt Tank ATELIER CILLIAN @atiliercillian Brown Tassel Loafer Shoes BROOKS BROTHERS @brooksbrothers
With your upcoming holiday film A Merry Little Ex-Mas, you’re joining a cast full of nostalgic icons. What does holiday storytelling mean to you, and how do you keep tradition feeling fresh and authentic, both in film and in fashion? “Holiday movies are like hot cocoa, they’re sweet and comforting. They hit you in the heart because they remind you of home. For me, the tradition stays fresh by mixing heartfelt moments with unexpected laughs, kind of like my own family’s Christmas, where we all go into a carb coma after Mom cooks the best homemade meal ever, usually while watching The Grinch or Elf. In fashion, I love the same idea: classic base with a modern twist. Think cozy sweater paired with cowboy boots that have seen more miles than Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.”
WhiteTank HANES @hanes Pants TELL THE TRUTH @tellthetruth.shop Jewelry black and silver rings , long pendant chain KINRADEN @kinraden Sunglasses SAINT LAURENT @ysl | Grey and Brown Stripe Blazer VELASCA @velascamilano Pants VELASCA @velascamilano Jewelry square necklace and oval ring – VENYX @venyxworld Dark Band gold face Watch PANERAI @panerai
You’ve played a conman, quarterback, heartthrob, and hero. Is there a common thread you look for when choosing a role, or is it more about pushing into uncharted territory? “I look for roles that scare me or make me laugh, the kind that make me think, ‘How am I going to pull this off?’ That fear usually means growth. Whether it’s a conman hiding secrets, losing 48 lbs to play an addict in Dope Queens, a quarterback under pressure, or a cowboy bachelor dodging whipped cream on national TV, I want characters that challenge me. If the script makes me laugh, gives me chills, or makes me ask questions at 2 AM, I’m in. Or if it pays the rent. But the through-line is always the same: there has to be heart under the surface. Something that truly entertains. As a fan of movies, I make movies for other fans.”
You’ve built a multifaceted career in both fashion and film. What advice would you give young creatives trying to carve out a path that feels true to their identity and style? “Don’t chase trends, chase truth (unless it’s on social media, then you can chase some trends to grow your following). The industry will try to put you in a box, and it’s your job to build your own box, or light it on fire and dance around the ashes. Trust your instincts, wear what feels like you, and surround yourself with people who have bigger dreams for you than you do for yourself. And when you fail, and you will, fail forward. Take big risks. Steal from the greats and make it your own. The world doesn’t need another copy; it needs your original. Own the weird, wear the boots, and tell your story like nobody else can. And never be afraid to be commercial, it’s okay to be successful. That way, you can take care of your family and friends.”
Olive Shirt VINCE @vince Cream Linen Pants VINCE @vince Turquoise Beaded bracelet Jewelry MINOXIA Sunglasses RAY BAN @rayban Bag QOFFAH @quoffa | Right: Grey and Brown Stripe Blazer VELASCA @velascamilano Pants VELASCA @velascamilano Jewelry square necklace and oval ring – VENYX @venyxworld Dark Band gold face Watch PANERAI @panerai Sunglasses SAINT LAURENT @ysl
Sunglasses RAY BAN @rayban
What’s one thing people might not know about you that deeply influences the choices you make, whether it’s your next project, a script you say yes to, or even what you wear to a premiere? “Most people don’t know I grew up on a farm in Washington State. I raised cattle, worked the land, and learned pretty quickly that hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. That background keeps me grounded and gives me one of the best BS detectors in Hollywood. It influences everything, from the scripts I say yes to, to the roles I chase, to the boots I choose for a premiere. If it doesn’t feel real or entertaining, I’m not interested. And if it makes me or my friends laugh while challenging me? Even better.”
WhiteTank HANES @hanes Pants TELL THE TRUTH @tellthetruth.shop Jewelry black and silver rings , long pendant chain KINRADEN @kinraden Sunglasses SAINT LAURENT @ysl | Right: Tank KING AND TUCKFIELD @kingandtuckfield Pinstripe Pants SIMKHAI @simkhai
White Shirt Tank ATELIER CILLIAN @atiliercillian Olive Pants SIMKHAI @simkhai Jewelry – turtle shell ring VENYX @venyxworld and gold cuff KINRADEN @Kinraden | Right: Cream linen Shirt BILLY REID @billy_reid Cream Tank KING AND TUCKFIELD @kingandtuckfield Blue Pinstripe Pants SIMKHAI @simkhai Blue Belt STYLIST OWN Shoes Blue Loafer GRENSON @grensonshoes Jewelry Ring – KINRADEN @kinraden
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