Miss Beige
A guardian angel
When artist Ana Esmith returned to Spain, she created an ‘alter ego’ to reconnect with her country, her city and herself. Over time, she confesses, Miss Beige has turned into her guardian angel. Now, a decade later, the Cerralbo Museum in Madrid opens its doors to the performer within the framework of PHotoESPAÑA 2025. What are you waiting for to break the rules and dive into her world?
Miss Beige’s performances have become a social phenomenon. “People always respond quite well, and I’m the first to be surprised,” admits Ana Esmith (Madrid, 1976), who has turned into the proud spokesperson for a silent character that causes both discomfort and smiles. Since her birth ten years ago, Miss Beige has gained followers—almost 75,000 on Instagram—who share her view of today’s world. Many of those fans came to Espacio Iberia on the 3rd of June. “Tickets sold out and the atmosphere was very friendly—she reminisces. Being consistent is the toughest part of an artistic career, but when you achieve it, you win over people’s respect.” The monochromatic Miss Beige refuses to follow trends, which is why she’s been wearing the same dress, the same shoes, the same gloves, the same glasses, and the same handbag (hammer included) for the last decade. “Not changing absolutely anything in ten years is a political act,” she defends. She doesn’t even succumb to the algorithm’s whims! To celebrate her 10th anniversary, Miss Beige has invaded the Cerralbo Museum in Madrid (C/ Ventura Rodríguez, 17) with her exhibition You Have to Know How to Be as part of the official 2025 PHotoESPAÑA section. She welcomes visitors with a screening of The Exterminating Angel by Luis Buñuel because you know when you step in, but not when you’ll step out of this artist’s captivating universe.
After living in London for 15 years, you returned to Spain and that’s when Miss Beige was born. What inspired you to create her?
When you live abroad for a long time, coming home is always weirdly tough because you have to reconnect with the person you once were. It’s a difficult transition. Not just for me, but for any migrant. During that period, I rediscovered Spain—Madrid in particular—and myself. I decided to do so artistically. We artists always need to have something in mind that keeps us alive.
When you started uploading photos to social media as Miss Beige, how did people react?
I spent two years doing things with Miss Beige, but I didn’t upload any images because I didn’t even have an Instagram account… I didn’t have any room on my phone! When that phone died, I bought another one and opened an account. At the beginning I thought it was going to be a black hole where Miss Beige would just be absorbed by the algorithm. My greatest surprise was when people started to respond quite genuinely and respectfully to my posts. If we don’t try to play with the rules the system offers, we won’t change anything. Miss Beige is a clear example of the fact that you can also make the rules.
“If we don’t try to play with the rules the system offers, we won’t change anything. Miss Beige is a clear example of the fact that you can also make the rules”
Miss Beige is a far cry from the canons imposed by social media, but she has always been a hit on them. How do you live with that paradox?
Very calmly. Miss Beige doesn’t care if she has 30 or 8,000 likes. Her proposal is what it is. As the creator, as the artist behind the character, I do like that my work reaches so many people. Miss Beige started out as a personal need and has now become a collective need because many people share her view of the world. I’m delighted with this transition, but if it hadn’t been so, I would have carried on doing it. When artists make something, it’s because we need to.
Miss Beige doesn’t follow trends and is unchanging over time. Nevertheless, a decade later, her fame has not declined but keeps growing. Why do you think this is?
Because she suggests a different perspective. In this fast-paced era, where we don’t have time for anything, she stands still and decides not to bring herself up to date. Miss Beige doesn’t manage to slow down the world, but she does make some people stop and think. We also need role models where women are not simply objectified for their bodies. The patriarchy doesn’t know how to react to Miss Beige and that’s a small victory. We have to try to think about ourselves differently.
The Cerralbo Museum has opened its doors to Miss Beige. What has invading such an iconic space felt like?
Being invited to step into the 19th century, when Miss Beige is so contemporary, was a surprise. My workplace has always been the streets, so the first challenge was getting into a house that belonged to the Cerralbo family, into its family history and intimacy. My goal was to be respectful of everything I found there, but at the same time see how we could bring the 19th and 21st centuries together. It’s been a joy to see that we can play with the past and, while we’re at it, laugh at ourselves a bit.
“When someone feels talented, they need to play with that talent so that it takes shape”
Do you follow some sort of routine in your creative process?
I don’t have a plan. I have a series of days marked in red on my calendar for my performances, but the rest of the time I follow my gut. I don’t upload a post at a certain time because it’ll get more engagement… I play against all the rules and all the courses that are given on social media. I live completely free and I’m happy with my lot. I decide when and how. Miss Beige isn’t a brand, she’s not a marketing stunt, and that has given me a lot of peace of mind because she doesn’t follow market rules. I’ve received many brand deal proposals, some very popular ones, and I’ve said no… People would be surprised. When vanity appears, I’ve known how to respond, but believe me, they aren’t easy decisions because wanting to live off your work is the fairest thing in the world.
And what is talent for you?
Talent is something unique that a person has, and that’s why it’s important to take care of it. I always say you have to keep it in a box like the most prized jewel. The hardest thing is to identify your talent and figure out how to use it. When someone feels talented, they need to play with that talent so that it takes shape. Artists need to look after their talent, but others can also do that by going to museums, the theatre, the cinema…
Miss Beige is a very vocal activist, but she doesn’t use words. Do we underestimate the power of silence?
Yes. And the first to underestimate it all my life is me (laughs). Because of my professions, apart from being an artist, I’m also a journalist and an actress, communication has been my means of development and where I’ve always felt comfortable. When I decided to self-impose silence through Miss Beige, I was the first to be surprised. I’ve learnt how to listen much more closely and I’m proud of that. When we don’t talk, stuff happens, even though we don’t let ourselves experience it because we never shut up.
Miss Beige has turned public space into one big stage. For someone like you, who studied performing arts, is that a triumph?
Yes, it’s a big win. Most artists live precariously, and Miss Beige has helped me to discover that you can do many things without a big budget. We artists develop that instinct out of necessity. Every so often you have to adapt and let reality surprise you. The streets belong to citizens and they’re the most democratic place there is. On social media, people usually share private spaces, and Miss Beige asks us to not replace public spaces, which is where we all really fit in.
Have you ever felt like the character of Miss Beige was seeping into you as a person?
It may have happened occasionally, but I think I’ve managed to distinguish them quite well. For me, they are two separate entities, and I live with Ana much more than with Miss Beige. I’m truly grateful because she’s not only granted me space in the cultural world, but she’s also made me a better person. When I’ve received tempting calls and have had to take tough decisions, it has always put me in my place and cleared up what I want to do and why. I feel like she’s someone who takes care of me, like a guardian angel who visits me from time to time.
