Mia Rodgers on Styling Taylor, Her Cast’s Sisterhood and Having a Positive Influence
Words: Colette Fountain | Photographer and Creative Direction: Lewis Vorn | Makeup: Sara Hill | Hair: Bjorn Krischker | Styling: Ellie Rimmer
Make it stand out
The Sex Lives of College Girls has made a habit of changing the career trajectories of its stars, taking up-and-coming actresses and bringing them into the limelight. Its newest addition: Mia Rodgers, is no different. In what is only her fourth acting credit, Mia plays Taylor, Essex College’s intimidatingly confident and sarcastically hilarious new student.
To viewers, it would be easy to see Mia as an overnight success; an inevitable consequence of a show with a cult following. In reality, it is a role that has been a long time coming. To call her a breakthrough talent would undermine the seven years of hard work that have led to this moment, the relentless rejections Mia has persevered through in a career that can at times feel more like a test of resilience than of skill. This inherent strong mindedness is one of few traits she shares with Taylor, saying in our Zoom call: “In similar ways we’re both young women navigating a world that we don’t really understand.”
Since the debut of season three in the US in November 2024, Mia has had to learn what it means to be recognisable. She is slowly getting used to people approaching her on the street, and dividing her time between the anonymity of London (the show doesn’t come out in the UK until February), and the overwhelming vastness of LA. This huge lifestyle change is only made manageable because of a cast that closely mirrors the friendships of its characters: “It was instantly one of the nicest experiences and environments I’ve walked into.” Mia smiles.
If a substitute English teacher hadn’t suggested she take GCSE drama, Mia’s life might have been completely different. “I thought I was going to be a classical singer”, or later, “I did fashion buying while I was auditioning to see if it was something I wanted”, before she realised, “I don’t think I’m ever going to be a girl that could have a 9 to 5.”
By chance, she met an agent at her mum’s friend’s art gallery opening, who later emailed her mum to ask about signing Mia. Her mother kept the email a secret until Mia passed her exams - “very respectable woman” - but Mia did eventually sign with the agency, and “completely fell in love with it [acting]. It was like the shoe fits, this is what I’m meant to do.”
Jacket - Sofia Vieira Da Silva | 2 piece set - offkut studio | Jewellery - dinosaur designs & pilgrim jewellery| Shoes - Charles and Kieth
Inevitably, Covid had an impact on her career trajectory, separating it into two distinct periods. “One which didn’t necessarily work out but made me fall in love with acting and realise it’s what I wanted to do; the other side is when it slotted into place.”
“When I was 18 I thought the world around me was going to crumble. Now that I’m 24 I’m like ‘babes, chill the fuck out’.”
Shirt - Ray chu | Bra - fruity booty | Shoes - Sofia vieira da silva| Skirt - offkut studio | Earrings - pilgrim | Rings - xhen xhen | Silver ring - pilgrim
Landing the role of Taylor made up for these setbacks. Described by the other characters as “that scary lady,” Mia has a much kinder interpretation, calling her “a very complex individual. She is very opinionated, she can be quite abrasive and defensive but she’s extremely empathetic… She’s definitely a lover girl once she allows people in.” It’s this grace and understanding that make Mia so easy to warm to. As she’s grown up she’s realised that “there’s context to everything” - a sentiment that allowed her to empathise with Taylor’s sometimes thorny characterisation.
Skirt & top set - fruity booty | Leather top - AV Vattev | Lingerie - fruity booty | Shoes - Sofia vieira da silva | Jewellery - pilgrim
Denim set - dala denim | Shirt & tie - stylists archive | Earrings & bangles - dinosaur designs | Rings - pilgrim | Shoes - Charles and Kieth
Sympathy and friendship consistently resurfaced as topics throughout our conversation. “The show is called The Sex Lives of College Girls but really it’s about the friendship lives of college girls which I think in the world we’re living in today is so important.” The friendships she developed with the other girls on set helped her adjust to “having her world tipped upside down.” The original cast took on a “protective sisterly thing”, and meeting the other cast newbie Gracie meant that she “automatically [had] a friend. It was all very serendipitous.”
Full set - Casablanca | Ring - Swarovski | Earrings - xhen xhen | Belt - Elliot Rhodes
Bangles & rings - disosaur designs | Earrings & rings - Pilgrim | Bodysuit - baserange | Tops - baserange | Tops - Open YY
“The show is called The Sex Lives of College Girls but really it’s about the friendship lives of college girls which I think in the world we’re living in today is so important.”
This became even more important when dealing with some of the hard-hitting elements of the show, as its writers have foregrounded issues affecting young women today. Across its seasons, Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble have tackled topics like sexual harassment, breakups, coming out, and through Taylor, alcohol addiction and queer pride.
“I’m really grateful that Taylor had the opportunity at a few points to show that deeper side of herself… I think what’s so beautiful about Taylor is that the only unwavering thing in her life is her sexuality and that’s the one thing she’s so sure of. As the actor playing Taylor, it’s so nice that she’s having a positive influence in a real way.”
“I think what’s so beautiful about Taylor is that the only unwavering thing in her life is her sexuality and that’s the one thing she’s so sure of.”
Along with identity, fashion (a long standing love of Mia’s) can become integral to self-expression, something explored in the show and in Mia’s own life. “At our [Mia’s and costume designer Phoenix’s] first fitting, we were in there for three hours trying on everything you could possibly imagine. From flannel lesbian, to all-in-leather-forever dominatrix vibes. We found a middle ground of femininity with a bit of rock and roll.”
This led to iconic outfits for Taylor, like a Kill Bill costume, pink highlights, and grunge makeup. It’s a world away from Mia’s own vintage style. “From the get-go I was never self-conscious of my style and would always wear the most outlandish things when I was 13.” She adds, “I view it to be an element of art.”
These are things Mia is still learning to navigate, as she herself is only 24. For her, the last year has been one filled with gratitude and celebration - “Honestly I think that was the best year of my life”, she says, which she hopes will continue into 2025. “When I was 18 I thought the world around me was going to crumble. Now that I’m 24 I’m like ‘babes, chill the fuck out’.”
