Actress Alexandra Shipp disclosed that a three-hour “work candle” ritual performed during a career lull directly preceded her casting in “Barbie” within two weeks—a story that bridges personal spirituality with professional breakthrough, while perfectly dovetailing with her role in the witch-themed horror-comedy “Forbidden Fruits.”
When Alexandra Shipp found herself in the unsettling quiet of early 2022—a period many actors know all too well, marked by dwindling auditions and the creeping fear of irrelevance—she turned to an unconventional method to reset her career trajectory: a three-hour “work candle” spell performed under a new moon. The ritual, involving candle preparation, intention-setting, and an incantation, isn’t just New Age whimsy; for Shipp, it was a deliberate act of energetic alignment.
During a recent appearance on SiriusXM’s The Morning Mash Up, Shipp shared this moment of vulnerability with castmates Lili Reinhart, Lola Tung, and Victoria Pedretti while promoting their new film, Forbidden Fruits. The context is key: here were actors immersed in a project about young women running a witchy cult from a mall, discussing real-world manifestation practices that blur the line between folklore and professional strategy. As Shipp candidly described, “I was really worried at the top of 2022 — like most actors, if you don’t have many auditions or phone calls, you’re like, ‘That’s it, I’m washed up.’”
The timing of Shipp’s ritual aligns with ancient astrological practices: the new moon, when the sun and moon share the same zodiac degree, is considered a potent window for planting intentions. This period is widely regarded as ideal for manifestation work, whether invoking love, health, or career opportunities. For Shipp, a Cancer zodiac sign ruled by the moon, this lunar magic feels almost preordained, tapping into a cosmic rhythm that astrologers link to emotional intuition and nurturing one’s ambitions.
The outcome was as swift as it was striking. “I booked Barbie like two weeks later,” Shipp said, referencing her role as one of the iconic dolls in Greta Gerwig’s 2023 cultural phenomenon. This coincidence—or calculated cosmic intervention—lands with particular weight given the film’s themes of identity, creation, and female solidarity. For fans, the narrative adds a layer of mystical provenance to her performance, suggesting that sometimes the universe rewards bold acts of faith.
Shipp’s current project, Forbidden Fruits, further cements this synergy between her personal beliefs and professional choices. The horror-comedy, directed by Meredith Alloway in her debut and co-written with Lily Houghton, follows a group of mall employees who secretly operate a witchy cult. The cast includes Shipp alongside Reinhart, Tung, Pedretti, Emma Chamberlain (in her film debut), and Gabrielle Union. The film’s producer, Jennifer’s Body screenwriter Diablo Cody, brings her signature dark humor to the mix, while Alloway has described the tone as a playful yet brutal satire inspired by American Psycho.
Alloway told Collider that the film balances “humor” with “extremely dark moments that feel very raw and real,” aiming for a cinematic experience that’s “playful” yet unflinching in its exploration of female relationships. This duality mirrors Shipp’s own journey: a serious ritual yielding a lighthearted yet career-defining role in a popcorn blockbuster, followed by a genre project that openly embraces witchcraft as metaphor and practice.
For the fan community, Shipp’s story ignites fresh speculation about the power of manifestation in Hollywood. Could other actors be employing similar rituals? Will this fuel theories about a “Barbie” sequel, given the original film’s open-ended finale? The intersection of Shipp’s revelation with Forbidden Fruits—a movie literalizing occult themes—creates a feedback loop where art imitates life and vice versa. It also taps into a broader cultural moment where wellness spirituality meets career hustle, a trend buoyed by social media influencers and now validated by A-list actors.
Critically, Shipp’s account isn’t just anecdotal; it’s a case study in timing and self-belief. The three-hour ritual required patience and precision—performed on a new moon, no less—yet yielded a role in one of 2023’s highest-grossing films. This isn’t about passive wishing but active energetic engagement, a mindset that resonates in an industry often governed by uncertainty. By sharing this, Shipp demystifies the “overnight success” trope, highlighting the unseen work of aligning one’s inner world with external opportunities.
Moreover, the collaboration with Cody and the thematic embrace of witchcraft in Forbidden Fruits suggest a conscious weaving of personal and professional narratives. For audiences, it reinforces the idea that our passions and practices can converge in unexpected ways. Whether you view manifestation through a spiritual, psychological, or metaphorical lens, Shipp’s experience underscores a universal truth: sometimes, taking a deliberate pause to focus on what you want can recalibrate your path in profound ways.
As Forbidden Fruits prepares for its March 27 release, this backstory adds depth to Shipp’s performance and the film’s overall ethos. It’s a reminder that in Hollywood, as in life, the line between magic and hard work is often beautifully blurred. For fans and aspiring actors alike, the takeaway is clear: your rituals, no matter how unconventional, might just be the catalyst for your next big break.
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