Antonia Gentry, the acclaimed actress known for her role as Ginny in the popular Netflix series 'Ginny & Georgia,' has embarked on a new venture as the ambassador for Jared Jewelers's 'Storied Diamond' campaign. This collaboration highlights the growing demand for transparency within the diamond industry, showcasing a unique system that traces each diamond's journey from its origin in Botswana to its final destination as a piece of jewelry. Gentry shares her enthusiasm for this initiative, along with her evolving personal style, her memorable experience at New York Fashion Week, and the profound impact of 'Ginny & Georgia' on discussions surrounding mental health. As she prepares to film the highly anticipated fourth season, Gentry reflects on her career, emphasizing the power of storytelling to foster connection and understanding.
Following a busy season of 'Ginny & Georgia,' Antonia Gentry, affectionately known as Toni, is set to return to filming. In a few days, she will travel to begin shooting the fourth season of the hit Netflix show. Amidst her preparations, Gentry has been focusing on various interests, including ankle bracelets, the fashion brand Off-White, and the enduring allure of diamonds. Her role as the new face of Jared Jewelers's 'Storied Diamond' campaign aligns with her appreciation for exquisite jewelry and its associated narratives. This campaign coincides with the release of 'A Diamond Is Born,' a documentary by Oscar-winning filmmaker Luc Jacquet. The film delves into the origins of natural diamonds and underscores the increasing importance of transparency in the diamond sector. The 'Storied Diamond' initiative, which begins in Botswana, utilizes Everledger blockchain technology to meticulously track every stage of a diamond's journey before it is crafted into a finished jewelry piece, ensuring customers can trace the exact stone they purchase.
Prior to the launch of the new campaign and fresh from attending New York Fashion Week, Gentry sat down with ELLE to discuss her passion for jewelry, her fashion sensibilities, and, of course, the latest on 'Ginny & Georgia.' She shared her favorite moments from NYFW, talked about her pre-filming discoveries, and offered a glimpse into her personal jewelry collection, which undoubtedly features several diamonds. When asked about the campaign, Gentry explained that she was immediately intrigued by Jared's 'Storied Diamond' concept. She discovered it offered a remarkable method for tracking the specific diamond a customer chooses, tracing its path all the way from the mine in Botswana. Many consumers are unaware of their diamonds' origins, and Gentry noted that these precious stones undergo an extraordinary transformation, passing through many hands across the globe. She views this as a distinctive way to forge a deeper connection with a diamond, which often symbolizes something deeply meaningful in one's life.
Gentry also spoke about her essential jewelry pieces, revealing a particular fondness for rings and stacking them. She owns a set of rings that she wears almost continuously. She cherishes a pair of diamond earrings her grandmother gifted her when she was just 11 or 12 years old. These earrings, her grandmother's first pair of diamonds, are kept at her mother's house in her childhood bedroom jewelry box. Gentry recalls being mesmerized by them, realizing even then the extraordinary and precious nature of real diamonds. During holiday visits to her parents, she occasionally takes them out just to admire them. Reflecting on her jewelry style, Gentry admitted she began as a maximalist, also having a love for vintage pieces, and used to stack all her jewelry at once. However, as frequent travel and a busy lifestyle became commonplace, she has embraced a more minimalist approach. She is also developing an interest in ankle bracelets.
Her attendance at the Off-White show during NYFW was a notable experience. She described the show's unconventional venue—a high school—where she walked through an auditorium into a cafeteria filled with excited students. Gentry engaged with some of the students, who shared their involvement in helping organize the show. She found it to be a truly unique way to integrate the local community into the fashion world, having never attended a fashion show in such a setting before. She was particularly touched that some students had the opportunity to witness the show, and found the entire collection breathtaking, desiring many of the pieces herself. Describing her overall personal style, Gentry's friends often characterize it as cosmopolitan. She prioritizes comfort but in a way that allows her to feel confident if unexpectedly photographed. Recently, she has been exploring different silhouettes, opting for tighter tops when wearing baggy jeans, and drawing inspiration from Japanese styles for her sartorial choices.
Having completed three seasons of 'Ginny & Georgia,' Gentry shared the invaluable lessons she has learned from the experience. It was her first major acting role, presenting a significant learning curve. She has developed a profound appreciation for filmmaking and storytelling, understanding the immense effort involved. The passionate response from audiences to the show and its characters has deepened her gratitude for the connections she forms with strangers in her daily life. She recognizes how storytelling can make people feel acknowledged and united across the globe. This belief also fueled her excitement for the Jared campaign, as it offers a way to connect and anchor oneself through significant life choices, such as purchasing a diamond ring, whether for an engagement or graduation. The ability to trace these decisions back to their origins is, to her, a truly remarkable aspect.
Gentry also discussed the show's and her character's contribution to broader conversations about mental health. She noted that the showrunners were deeply committed to portraying the characters' mental health struggles, especially Ginny's, with authenticity and realism, avoiding sensationalism. Collaborating with Mental Health America throughout the process instilled confidence in her portrayal of Ginny. She was struck by how much audiences connected with Ginny's experiences after the show's release, with many fans sharing that the character inspired them to seek help, attend therapy, or open up to loved ones during difficult times. Gentry considers it a privilege to continue this work for another season, hoping to reach even more people and consistently remind them that they are not alone in their struggles. As for Season 4, filming is imminent, though details remain scarce. Gentry anticipates more drama, heartbreak, laughter, and tears, emphasizing the intense journeys of the characters. She is particularly excited to portray a new dimension of Ginny, a version unseen before, and eagerly awaits the start of production.