Was acting something you always wanted to pursue?
I always had this lingering desire to pursue acting. I would think, “I wish I could do that or have the resources.” Fear held me back, so I never took action. Once I started taking small steps forward, I realized it was not as scary as I thought, and it turned out to be a lot of fun. Recently, I signed with William Morris Agency, and I am thrilled to be part of an incredible team that shares my vision and excitement for what's to come.
Tell us about your Netflix segment Who Wore It Best, where you interview celebrities such as Gigi Hadid, Ashton Kutcher, and Reese Witherspoon wearing iconic outfits they've worn in the past.
I told Netflix that I would say yes to them no matter what the project was. They’ve done so much for me that, of course, it was an immediate yes. The first segment we filmed was with Addison Rae, and it was the most nervous I’ve ever been. I remember shaking in high heels because I’d never worn them before and thought someone would call me out for being so bright red in the cheeks. I was also very nervous to interview Gigi Hadid in one of her iconic Met Gala looks, but she was incredibly welcoming, going above and beyond to make me feel at ease. It’s been really fun, and I hope people have enjoyed watching it.
Can you share your journey of advocating for open conversations around mental health and how it motivated you to utilize your talent for bringing joy and laughter to uplift others?
I read today that depression is at an all-time high, with one in six Americans experiencing it. Where I grew up in Australia and New Zealand, we have the highest suicide rate per capita. I entered this industry after a personal tragedy involving the suicide of someone close to me. It left me confused and unsure of how to make a difference. I soon recognized that I could make people laugh and bring them joy as if it were a superpower. I decided I could use this superpower to uplift others, and my goal now is to leave every person I meet feeling better than before.
Through reality TV, I found a platform to provide my friends and audience with laughter and joy.
It has been incredibly fulfilling to touch people's lives and make a positive impact, especially regarding the sensitive topic of mental health. I want to make this conversation more approachable by infusing it with humour and create a lighter atmosphere where people feel engaged and comfortable.
You just launched a brand called The Ritual. What can you share about The Ritual and what inspired you to create it?
I wanted to create a brand focused on evening and morning rituals because I realized the importance of awakening my senses and using them as an anchor for my personal goals and manifestations. Starting with candles, people can light them during their rituals and write down goals, manifestations, and gratitude. The candle's scent serves as a trigger for these thoughts and intentions. I aim to expand the brand to include rituals for different aspects of life, like bath time and bedtime. It's an exciting venture, and I take great pride in the fact that everything is handmade in Los Angeles. Another driving force behind this journey was my personal experience with headaches caused by candles containing toxic ingredients. It opened my eyes to the potential health risks lurking in certain candles.
That's when it hit me—why not create my own line of candles with cleaner, safer ingredients? And that's how it all began—a passion-driven endeavour to create a brand that enriches lives through intentional rituals, one candle at a time.
What is the biggest misconception about you?
The biggest misconception people have is that they think I'm just some stupid f*ckboy, which I get all the time. Whenever I meet people, they say, "Well, I thought you would be different because of how you look online or how you're portrayed on reality TV."
When I get to do podcasts and interviews like this, people kind of look under the hood a little bit more and see there's a human there, not some alien that got put into this crazy industry. So yeah, the biggest misconception is that people just think I'm a playboy and like to hook up with everyone, when in fact, that’s not the case. The truth is, there's more than meets the eye.
What is something you aspire to do or experience that you haven't had the chance to yet?
My ultimate dream is to be in a Marvel movie. The reason behind it is pretty special to me because my best friend is the biggest Marvel nerd you could ever meet. I can't help but imagine the fulfillment I'd feel when I could turn to him and say, "Hey, I did this for you, my friend." It's just something that would mean the world to both of us. I've also always had this desire to become a superhero, like a young Chris Hemsworth. How incredible would it be to step into those shoes?
Another dream of mine would be to create a free comedy festival dedicated to mental health where you could anonymously gift tickets to those going through a rough patch or to those in need. It would feature stand-up comics spreading laughter and lifting spirits, alongside resources and helpline numbers.
These are two dreams that, if I could achieve both of them in my life, I think I'll die a happy man.
If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your 15-year-old self?
To my 15-year-old self, I would say, "Stop stressing and believe in the future because it’s all going to work out." You don't have to be perfect, because nothing is. Stop worrying about everything, stop trying to impress other people, and stop worrying about other people's opinions. Fall in love with yourself, travel, and explore the world. Break free from the familiar and trust that everything will fall into place.
Stay tuned for the next chapter of Harry Jowsey’s remarkable journey by following him on Instagram (@harryjowsey) or checking out his brand, The Ritual.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
