What were some defining moments that shaped your desire to become an actress?
As a child I loved to read my favorite books and make my brother act them out with me. I think it is something that has always been inside of me. When I had to memorize my first script, I just fell in love with the process of having the liberty to create a person, backstory, everything about it just sparked this thing inside of me and I never wanted to stop.
Can you tell us about your first reaction when you read the script for PENELOPE?
The script was so personal, it demanded Penelope to be openhearted and honest with herself. The script is capturing Penelope in a phase of discovery. Penelope is in the process of trying to unravel things and quiet a soul that feels surrounded by noise. She is separating the threads of her life and in doing so her journey begins to be woven.
What was it like to lead a series that takes such an introspective approach to modern life, and how did you prepare for this role?
I think it was an amazing experience and as we progressed I found a liberty and quietness in the cultivation of Penelope’s character. I spent a lot of time creating playlists for Pen and her defining moments in the script. I enjoyed collaborating with Mel on ideas and what we thought about Penelope and her journey. I loved being able to bring some of my skills to this character. The team provided me so many amazing literature materials to help foster and support me.
“As a child I loved to read my favorite books and make my brother act them out with me. I think it is something that has always been inside of me.”
PENELOPE is about escaping the overstimulation of modern life. How do you relate to this concept personally, and have you ever wanted to step away from technology?
I think that because it is such a huge part of our society I get overwhelmed sometimes too. I feel that something takes away from the beauty that is right in front of our eyes. I completely understand the appeal but we definitely need to remind ourselves that there is so much outside of the technical world. I have wanted to step away many times especially after filming. I did for a couple of months. I would watch but I wanted to enjoy everything without the constant thought of capturing those moments. However, as much as I would love to get away from it; it is how our new generations communicate. It’s how we find all of these incredibly talented people that we might not have found before. I’m grateful for what it has done for us though.
What lessons did you learn from playing Izzy in LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE that you carry forward in your acting career?
I learned a lot about the community of set since it was my first job. Getting to work with such huge rockstars left me in awe of their process and made me aspire to do the same. They showed me the importance of loving your work and working hard to make what you want happen. They kind of set this fire in me to not dream but act on what you want to happen compared to hoping that it will fall in your lap.
How did it feel to play a character who is at odds with her family, particularly in such emotionally charged scenes?
I love those emotionally charged scenes. Those are something that I actually get excited to do. It always felt passionate and heartbreaking to see these characters crumble. When you become some connection with a character like Izzy you don’t want those feelings or things to touch her but that’s what is a part of getting comfortable with the uncomfortable.
“I completely understand the appeal but we definitely need to remind ourselves that there is so much outside of the technical world. I have wanted to step away many times especially after filming. I did for a couple of months. However, as much as I would love to get away from it; it is how our new generations communicate. It’s how we find all of these incredibly talented people that we might not have found before. “
How did being part of a show based on a well-known novel shape your experience, and did you feel any pressure to meet fans’ expectations for Izzy?
I really wanted to give my best to everyone who was rooting for Izzy. However, I never actually read the book because I didn’t want that perception of her to skew the one that I was creating. I had to have a lot of sympathy and love for her in order for me to be able to really share those raw emotions that she experienced. I definitely felt the pressure in the initial days but I realized I had to let go of that to feel safe and creative enough to dive deeper.
What was it like working with Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, and how did they influence your performance?
They definitely pushed me to get out of my comfort zone. They made every environment feel so safe and let us really explore what we could do. They each have different styles but I was lucky enough to be able to see both and take their ways with me.
Are there any hobbies outside of acting that you’re particularly passionate about?
I’m a big hobby girl. I love to bake things like butter cookies and have them with tea in the morning. I love to read! I like to write stories, poetry, songs, books, really anything you can think of! I’m big on singing and playing around on my guitar. I’ve been getting into scrapbooking all my fun memories. When I have the time or a special event I do my own Gel-X. I love photography! I actually have an instagram account for some of the stuff I have taken but I’m still learning and trying out different things.
What helps you stay grounded while navigating the demands of the entertainment industry?
My main thing is just having people around me who support me and remind me of who I am. Keeping up with my hobbies and staying true to my character always sets me off on a good foot.
