For the past four years, a delicate, floral-engraved silver ring has been a constant companion for actress Sasha Calle, often seen dangling from a chain around her neck. From red carpet premieres to fashion week events and candid Instagram posts, this cherished piece of jewelry is rarely absent, most recently accompanying her on the promotional tour for her Netflix film, “The Rip,” starring Matt Damon and Ben Affleck.
She rarely takes it off.
In a candid conversation, Calle opened up about her deep connection to the ring and the tender memories associated with the remarkable woman who gifted it to her.
Tell me about your ring.
After leaving home at 17 or 18 to pursue college in Los Angeles, Sasha Calle faced the common struggles of a budding actress, including couch-surfing after graduation. Her life took a significant turn when she landed a role on “The Young and the Restless,” allowing her to secure her very first apartment. Overwhelmed by the newfound independence, she enlisted the help of a housekeeper, Elizabeth, who quickly became much more than an employee. “L.A. can be a very isolating place. You have to find your own people,” Calle recounted. Elizabeth evolved into one of her dearest friends, almost a second mother, often joining her in cleaning the apartment.
Then, in February 2021, just as Calle was about to embark on the massive leap to “The Flash,” she was moving out of her apartment. Before putting her belongings into storage, she visited Elizabeth, who presented her with the ring. “It’s a magical ring,” Elizabeth told her, explaining its origin. She had purchased it from an antique store owner who claimed it had the power to grant wishes if held in the palm of one’s hand.
Credit…Celeste Sloman for The New York Times
“I just never took it off after that,” Calle said. Since it didn’t fit her finger, she threaded it onto a chain, carefully adhering to Elizabeth’s instruction not to alter it, lest its magic fade. It has remained around her neck ever since.
Have you experienced any of the ring’s magic?
While Calle admits she doesn’t hold firm expectations for the ring’s magical properties, she cherishes the sentiment. “I think that the magic was just Ellie and the love that she gave me and our friendship,” she mused. Occasionally, she’ll still close her eyes, hold the ring, and make a wish, but her true gratitude lies in the “tender memory” it embodies.
Where is Ellie now?
Elizabeth, whom Calle lovingly calls an “angel,” has since retired and is “living her best life.” Calle reflects on her impact: “She really was such a big part of my life around that time. And obviously, as I have this piece of jewelry, I think about her with a lot of love and gratitude and joy. I just think those people that are, I suppose, the unexpected angels that come into your life are really beautiful.”
You didn’t wear it when you played Desi on “The Rip.” Did that feel weird?
Playing Desi in “The Rip” required a temporary separation from her beloved charm. Calle made a conscious choice for her character, opting for a Cuban link chain to match Desi’s Miami vibe. She upholds a personal “magical rule” given by Elizabeth: no one else can touch the ring. To honor this, she has a system: placing it in a box during filming and putting it back on once she’s done.
Have you thought about passing down this ring someday?
When asked about passing the ring down, Calle considers the future. “Not yet. It was gifted to me, and I have to keep it.” She wonders about the right age for a child to inherit such a precious item, pondering, “How do you even do that? Do they have to turn 18? Do they have to turn 21? How old will I be?”