Photography credits: Rose McGowan 

 Interview: Rhonda McKnight

She is an American actress, activist, author, director, and singer. After her film debut in a brief role in the comedy Encino Man (1992), McGowan achieved wider recognition for her performance in Gregg Araki's dark comedy The Doom Generation (1995), receiving an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance. She had her breakthrough in the horror film Scream (1996) and subsequently headlined the films Going All the Way (1997), Devil in the Flesh (1998), and Jawbreaker (1999).

 

During the 2000s, McGowan became known to television audiences for her role as Paige Matthews in The WB supernatural drama series Charmed (2001–2006) and later starred in Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's double-feature film Grindhouse (2007). In 2014, she made her directorial debut with the short film, Dawn, and appeared in the action-thriller series Chosen. In 2017, McGowan released her debut studio album, Planet 9, followed by a re-package in 2020.

 

A feminist activist, McGowan has released a memoir, Brave, and starred in the four-part documentary series Citizen Rose, both in 2018. In 2017, Time recognized her as one of the Silence Breakers, the magazine's Person of the Year, for speaking out about sexual assault and harassment.

 

Is this your first time creating your music?

It is my first time producing and crafting music from start to finish. I’d sang on film soundtracks before, but never had I written or sang my own words and thoughts. I loved the process. 

 

 

What is the meaning behind the “Planet9” title?

I created my own imaginary planet when I was 10 years old, and I named it Planet 9. My imaginary planet was a magical place that I felt had healing protection like a force field around me. Astronomers found a new planet six years ago, and they named it Planet 9. That’s when I decided I needed to make a soundtrack for this special place. 

 

 

PLANET 9 pre-order on https://t.co/MkTzr5RfdL Music for healing pic.twitter.com/Hk3Fypx5KM

— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) April 23, 2020

How did you come up with the creative direction for this project?

I was photographing an underground French electronic duo for their album cover. I heard their music and I was just struck by how it was the sound I’d been wanting to hear, but couldn’t find. Music that made me feel like I was flying. I made the album while writing my book, Brave, and doing so is what kept my spirit and mind intact. 

 

 

Had you planned the music before the lockdown or this was inspired because of the stay at home rule to be creating? 

I had not planned on releasing it during the lockdown, but it seemed like a good time for people to hear it. I’m not trying to be a pop star, the music of Planet 9 is actually for an art project that has visuals as well. At some point, when the world opens up, it will be touring as an immersive experience. I shot all the visuals for the experience, it’s very important to me that I filmed them instead of having someone else interpret my ideas. 

 

 

What else brings you joy in life as a human?

My puppy, Pearl, brings me so much joy! Flowers, trees, music, art, the moon... many things big and small. People rising up against the system brings me a lot of joy, even though it’s borne of pain. 

 

Where is your favorite place to travel ever, and Where is a place you need to get to on your bucket list?

Afghanistan is the most exotic and favorite so far. The landscape is incredible. My bucket list is all of Africa. 

 

 

 Do you plan to make any

 music videos soon for  

“Planet 9”?

I have! Just not the time to release! 

 

I want to get your reaction > here we go!

Music?

Always

 

Ice-Cream?

Gelato

 

 

Going to the club?

Berghain 

 

Having kids?

No, Thank You 

 

 New York?

It’s in America 

 

 Cooking?

Baking 

 

 Blondes?

Bleach life 

 

 

 I know you are active on social media but which platform is your favorite?

Good Question. Twitter is good for when I need to go hard and shoot fire. Instagram is my softer side. I find Instagram to be a lot of work. I don’t like having to come up with photos for people to like or not like. It’s stressful. 

 

Are you over being an actress for a while, or just not the right project?

I’m done acting. No one can say what the future holds, but that is not where I’m applying my 

energy. 

 

I am a superfan of the “Jawbreaker” movie? How was it to be this movie, and what was the funniest scene to reenact?

It was awesome! Darren Stein, the writer/director, is a genius because Jawbreaker holds up. Long live queer cinema!

My favorite line is when Courtney tells Fern Mayo, “You’re the shadow, we’re the sun.”