Eclipsing
Expectations

Photographed by: Daria Kobayashi Ritch
Styled by: Sean Knight
Written by: Ruthie Friedlander

This interview took place prior to
the SAG-AFTRA strike.

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In a sun-dappled room adorned with an array of carefully curated crystals, actress Haley Lu Richardson radiates a rare kind of energy—a blend of Hollywood glamour and genuine spirit. This amalgam captures your attention when she appears on screen, and the same holds true in conversation—even on Zoom.

Haley’s attraction to diamonds and other natural stones is a mirror reflection of her own complex identity—dazzling, captivating, and deeply rooted in a quest for authentic expression.

EARRINGS HELLER JEWELERS • NECKLACE STEPHANIE GOTTLIEB
• RINGS ERINESS • DRESS VINTAGE JUNYA WATANABE, ARTIFACT NY

Best known for her role as Portia in The White Lotus, Haley’s artistry extends far beyond the confines of the camera. In an exclusive interview with Only Natural Diamonds, the multifaceted actress reveals the transformative power of natural stones, not just as personal talismans but as accents that elevate life’s everyday moments into something extraordinary.

EARRINGS AMINA SOREL • NECKLACE DE BEERS •
TOP VINTAGE HELMUT LANG, ARTIFACT NY • BOOTS FRYE

EARRINGS HELLER JEWELERS • NECKLACE STEPHANIE GOTTLIEB •
RINGS ERINESS • DRESS VINTAGE JUNYA WATANABE, ARTIFACT NY

But don’t let the glittering rings and necklaces fool you; for Haley, diamonds are more than just pretty adornments. Each stone serves as an energetic conduit, a touchpoint that connects her to a deeper sense of self and purpose. “I’m holding a Rose Quartz right now,” she quips, affirming her belief in the vibrational properties of crystals and their close cousins, diamonds. Even as she delves into her acting ambitions, crafts, and a renewed passion for dance, Haley can’t help but circle back to the elemental allure of diamonds and natural stones. From wearing a dazzling diamond piece at the Screen Actors Guild Awards to keeping a citrine keychain for prosperity, her story illustrates that diamonds truly are a girl’s (and a healer’s) best friend.

As we venture into the heart of the conversation, it becomes clear that Haley’s attraction to diamonds and other natural stones is a mirror reflection of her own complex identity—dazzling, captivating, and deeply rooted in a quest for authentic expression.

I remember being like, “It’s just jewelry.” But then I put it on, and I have never felt more glamorous in my life.

Over your last few pieces of work, especially The White Lotus, you’ve really become the face of what Gen Z looks like – how they dress, what they think is cool… Tell us a little bit about how your personal style is outside of Portia’s character and how it’s changed and developed over the years.

I dress very differently from Portia…and exactly the same as her at times. Things that I’m drawn to are all over the map because my moods and how I feel are all over the map. I really feel like the main way that my style has developed over the last few years, stepping into myself as an adult independent individual, is just [about] dressing for me. Sometimes, I want to be a hot, trendy girl and go to dinner in Venice Beach. Other times I feel like a little old woman who is kind of a hippie, and other times, I like to be naked. Honestly, my closet is very eclectic, and I like it that way because I can dress however I feel that day or that hour.

EARRINGS AMINA SOREL • NECKLACE DE BEERS • TOP VINTAGE HELMUT LANG, ARTIFACT NY • BOTTOMS VINTAGE, THE RUBY LA • BOOTS FRYE

EARRINGS PATCHARAVIPA, BULGARI • NECKLACE PATCHARAVIPA • TOP VINTAGE A.F. VANDEVORST, ARTIFACT NY • SKIRT VINTAGE JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, RESURRECTION LA

You’ve had some big appearances on the red carpet over the past few years. What has that been like? I loved your Instagram post where the caption was simply like, “Rodarte made me this dress.” Was that insane?

I never had a designer be like, “We’ll make you a custom dress for this event.” It felt like a fun moment for me and my stylist, Sean Knight [who also styled this shoot].” I felt a little like a fairy.

What’s your relationship like with your stylist?

I think we just celebrated our eight-year anniversary, and I love him so much. I really trust that human being. He gets me and always brings [something] to the table that’s different and feels like me. I’ve learned from him, and he’s inspired and pushed me…

EARRINGS SUSAN EISEN • RING GRAZIELA
• DRESS VINTAGE VIVIENNE WESTWOOD, RESURRECTION LA

NECKLACE DE BEERS • BRACELET HELLER JEWELERS • TOP VINTAGE JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, ARTIFACT NY • BOTTOM VINTAGE PRADA, ARTIFACT NY • BOOTS FRYE

It seems like it’s as much a friendship as it is a working relationship. Is there ever a kind of storytelling moment that you try to do when going on a carpet?

If I know there’s going to be a big event or a lot of press for something, I’ll reach out to him and say, “I’ve been feeling really ugly lately, I want to feel hot.” Or I’ll [tell him] “Tonight is a more feminine moment.” Every time we have a fitting, it turns into dinner and wine and doing tarot readings for each other. We really have fun, personal time, and connection. But I also truly value the things he’s brought to my life. Even though fashion can make some things feel superficial, it feels important when we get those moments of genuine creative expression and collaboration.

And jewelry is always the topper on the outfit, right? I mean, diamonds…

They are a girl’s best friend! Did you know that?

I think I heard that somewhere…Do you have any diamond moments that stick with you— from your life or even the red carpet?

For the SAG Awards, Sean got this amazing jewelry for me—like, a security guard had to come to my house and bring it. I’d never had that before. And he was so excited about this jewelry. I remember being like, “It’s just jewelry.” But then I put it on, and I have never felt more glamorous in my life.

[Ed note: The SAG Award jewels referenced NINE pieces of Boucheron diamonds, including (but not limited to) a Black lacquer and white gold Zebra ring made with 274 round diamonds.]

There’s so much that I’ve experienced in the last few years that I want to express and bring to characters.

It’s like a transformation!

It is! And I really love stones in general. My house is covered with rocks and crystals. I love learning about the energetic properties of them all – and I really do feel like they mean something and affect me. I feel that connection to them. When it’s a natural stone, I like to connect to [it] energetically.

Any other diamond memories?

I guess it’s a little bit sad, but I was engaged once. So that involves a diamond. It’s a bittersweet memory. I’ve been thinking lately, because I have [the engagement ring] in my jewelry drawer, “What am I going to do with this that will feel profound? That will represent [what that] time meant to me, but also, like, letting go…” I was thinking of making a necklace or another piece of jewelry.

Repurposing old engagement rings or wedding bands happens all the time! I love the idea of recontextualizing the stone and making it something for yourself.

That’s what I’ve been thinking about.

EARRINGS STEPHANIE GOTTLIEB • NECKLACES ADINA REYTER, SUSAN EISEN
• RINGS BOOCHIER • TOP AND SKIRT KIMBERLY CORDAY • BOOTS FRYE

NECKLACE DE BEERS • TOP VINTAGE JEAN PAUL GAULTIER, ARTIFACT NY

So, are there any diamond pieces that you wear regularly? Special purchases, maybe?

In Sicily [filming The White Lotus], I found these antique [earrings]. They are these really cool, three-dimensional gold birdcage earrings. Inside, there’s some sort of enamel bird, and it’s adorned with all these different stones. [The antique dealer] gave me a certificate, so I know there are diamonds in there! But [these earrings] are that gem, unique and special. They’re just so specific and strange and amazing. I feel like those types of things aren’t made anymore.

Your next project is a departure from your role as Portia. In Love at First Sight, we see you in a classic “love can conquer all” rom-com. So, what’s next? When you look into your crystal ball of future projects, what do you see?

After The White Lotus, I [feel] hungry to be really challenged and to really go super deep into a character. There’s so much that I’ve experienced in the last few years that I want to express and bring to characters. That’s something I love so much about acting—it is so therapeutic and cathartic. I’ve had a handful of experiences where I feel like I’ve been creatively inspired by the collaboration of working with someone. I really want more of that.