Fresh off her blockbuster horror debut, Hollywood’s newest scream queen fronts Gap’s Fall 2026 denim campaign, opening up about career milestones, unfiltered personal style and her enduring love for the horror genre.
Our video interview with Inde Navarrette begins with a small, fitting adjustment: the actress, worn out from a relentless, breakthrough year, has lost her voice, so we opt to turn our cameras off. It is a quiet pause amid the nonstop momentum that has defined 2026 for the 25-year-old star. Catapulting to mainstream fame with her lead performance in Obsession—the year’s highest-rated horror film on Rotten Tomatoes—Navarrette has earned widespread critical praise and early Oscar buzz. “I’m grateful that audiences can recognize the effort and heart I put into this role, and that they’re responding so positively to it,” she shares.
In Hollywood, critical breakthroughs often pave the way for high-profile fashion partnerships, and Navarrette’s rise is no exception. She has been tapped as one of the faces of Gap’s Fall 2026 campaign, Denim on Your Own, starring alongside Malcolm Todd. Anchored by a custom remix of Robyn’s iconicDancing on My Own, the campaign centers on individuality, authenticity and unapologetic self-expression—values that align perfectly with Navarrette’s personal and professional worldview. “To portray characters truthfully on screen, I have to stay grounded and authentic in my everyday life,” she explains. “I never want my identity to feel performative or forced.”
Here, Navarrette reflects on the unexpected global success of Obsession, shares her core fashion rules and denim styling favorites, and reveals her upcoming career plans—confirming that the horror genre will remain a core part of her creative future.
Obsession has become a cultural blockbuster. Did you anticipate this level of widespread success, or has the audience reaction taken you by surprise?
It has been entirely unexpected. None of us on set could have predicted how profoundly this film would resonate with global audiences. I’m still processing the whole experience and learning to adjust to this new level of attention every single day.
What has been the most meaningful surprise amid all this acclaim? Have you received any words of praise that truly stood out to you?
Before the film officially premiered, Wunmi Mosaku attended an early screening. Her work in Sinners is incredibly masterful, authentic and one-of-a-kind; she has an unmatched understanding of building a fully realized character from the ground up. To receive personal congratulations from her was such a surreal, validating moment—it’s easily the most memorable recognition I’ve gotten throughout this process.
Critics have compared your performance to Sissy Spacek’s Oscar-nominated turn in . How do you feel about being linked to such an iconic horror performance?Carrie
It still feels surreal to me. It has made me admire just how genuinely and completely Sissy Spacek committed to that legendary role. I don’t mean to draw a direct parallel between us, but her performance is undeniably masterful. I truly believe that pouring your absolute best into a role you’re passionate about is what elevates emerging talent alongside industry legends. Every icon was once just a new actor, excited about a project and determined to give it their all.
It’s an incredible honor to be mentioned in this conversation. There’s a part of me that still thinks, “That’s Carrie—how is my work being grouped with that legacy?” At the end of the day, I’m just thankful that viewers and critics alike can see the dedication I brought to this film.
Gap’s new campaign celebrates individuality and styling on your own terms. What does authentic self-expression look like for you in daily life?
Authenticity is the foundation of everything for me. My job requires me to step into other people’s lives and embody foreign characters, so it would be contradictory to perform or pretend in my real life. Staying true to myself off-screen is what allows me to portray characters honestly on-screen.
That authenticity shows up most in my relationships and my personal style. I surround myself with friends who let me show up exactly as I am, with no pretense. Many of them design and make their own clothing, and their bold, unfiltered visual self-expression has always inspired me. I used to hold back from experimenting freely with my style in my late teens, but that creative confidence has returned in my mid-twenties. For me, personal style is more than clothing—it’s a direct reflection of who I am and the community I choose to keep close.
The campaign soundtrack is a remix of Robyn’s classic . Were you a long-time fan of the original track?Dancing on My Own
I’ll admit I was completely unfamiliar with the song before this project. When I first heard the remix, I assumed Malcolm Todd had created an original track, and everyone around me was shocked I didn’t recognize such an iconic staple. I had to immediately ask everyone to walk me through its legacy.
Shortly after, I watched Robyn perform it live onstage with thousands of fans singing every lyric back to her, and I finally understood its cultural impact. It’s such a unique experience discovering both the original classic and a fresh new remix at the same time, and Malcolm did an incredible job reimagining the track for this campaign.
Did you grow up admiring any classic Gap campaigns? The brand’s nostalgic 90s and 2000s campaigns remain fan favorites to this day.
The campaign set was covered in vision boards filled with vintage Gap photography from the early 90s and 2000s, and I was instantly obsessed. Those images brought back so many memories of the fashion magazines I grew up reading—the timeless, effortless shoots that first sparked my love for classic American style.
That era is my absolute favorite for fashion, so getting to channel that nostalgic, clean-lined vintage vibe for this campaign felt like a full-circle moment. It was such a special experience to recreate those iconic, timeless aesthetics.
Denim is the core of Gap’s Fall 2026 collection. What are your go-to denim silhouettes right now, and what makes Gap’s jeans stand out to you?
I’m a lifelong low-rise denim fan—it’s always been my favorite silhouette. I wore mid-rise styles for this campaign, and I was blown away by how well Gap denim fits and feels. The fabric is incredibly soft and wearable, with no stiff break-in period. Comfort and mobility are non-negotiable for me; I need my clothes to move with me, whether I’m crossing my legs or curling up casually.
I even tested them with squats on set between shots to make sure they felt effortless! As someone who is 5 feet tall, I also struggle constantly with ill-fitting hemlines for petite frames. Gap’s denim fits petite body types perfectly—the hemlines sit naturally without altering the jean’s original shape and structure, which is incredibly hard to find.
Do you have any core fashion rules you live by—key dos and don’ts?
I’ve recently discovered that wearing dark brown tones that mirror my natural hair color is incredibly flattering on me. It’s become my new styling trick—I love how cohesive and intentional monochromatic hair-tone dressing looks, and I’d encourage everyone to experiment with it.
As for my biggest fashion rule: never dress for anyone other than yourself. Style is deeply personal. The best outfits are the ones that make you feel confident and comfortable, regardless of trends or other people’s opinions.
You’re known as an avid gamer. What have you been playing in your downtime lately?
I’m currently obsessed with God of War Ragnarök, and Fortnite is my go-to for casual, accessible gaming. My perfect downtime routine is simple: video games, anime marathons and great food. It’s my favorite way to unwind.
Horror has proven to be your breakout genre. Do you plan to continue focusing on horror, or branch out into other genres?
I don’t want to limit myself to a single genre, but I only want to take on projects that feel truly authentic and inspiring. I’m chasing that exact feeling I had when I first read the Obsession script—absolute certainty and excitement about how to bring a character fully to life.
If that perfect project is a horror film, I’m fully on board. I can honestly say I’m desperate to return to the genre. I’d happily star in horror films for the rest of my career; they’re such a creative, thrilling challenge. The horror community has completely shifted my perspective on the genre too. What once felt terrifying now feels like a fun, creative passion—no longer traumatizing, but energizing.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
