INTERVIEW WITH ACTRESS SOPHIE REYNOLDS

Instagram and Twitter : @sophie1reynolds

Sophie, where did you grow-up and what’s your age now?
I grew up in Vancouver, Washington, just outside of Portland, Oregon. I moved to L.A. at 15 and am 19 now.

How did you get into acting?
I actually got into acting through dance. I started dancing at age 3 and really loved performing. When I was about 14, my mom and my dance teachers were really encouraging me to try acting as well because I loved performing so much. Honestly, everyone but me thought I would love it. I got into a class just to try it and ended up completely loving it. It slowly took over my whole life and it was pretty clear to me that was all I wanted to do. I started auditioning at 15 and booked my first show and have been doing it ever since. I really think everyone has their own specific path in this business, that’s one of the craziest things about it, but this worked for me so I’d recommend this route to people! What I really recommend is class. If you can find a class in your area it’s a really great way to start and see if you truly do love it.

You’re a dancer? Is this as a pastime or profession?
Dancing is a pastime for me now, but it used to be more of a profession. I was training hard, competing and attending dance conventions, and I really thought that’s what I was going to end up doing for a career before I found acting. I started when I was three and my mom put me in a little class. I always loved it and got more serious about it every year.

What challenges you dramatically, and generally, in life?
I think what challenges me most in life is overcoming my own fears. My mind tends to wonder to a place of worst-case scenarios, so I’ve always had a hard time trusting my path. I think one of my greatest challenges has been learning to quiet those fears, and trust. Enjoying the journey, and embracing the mistakes, failures, and imperfections along the way is a freeing thing, and it’s really what life is all about.

Who inspires you the most?
My mom is probably the biggest inspiration in my life. She’s an incredible person who gives so much to the people she loves. She’s been there supporting me all these years and is the reason I’m living my dream. She lives with a passion for life that has always inspired me.

What’s your motto in life?
Work hard and do what makes you happy in life.

What are your short and long term ambitions? Anything in the pipeline you can tell us about?
Both short and long term I want to act as much as I can. I’ve been working more on drama lately so I’d love to venture back into some comedy. I’ve also done a lot of TV so I think doing film would be great, but really I just love what I do and I hope I can do it forever.

You were ‘Ashley Parker’ on Disney’s “Gamers Guide to Pretty Much Everything.” What was that like?
Gamer’s Guide was such an incredible experience for me. I was brand new to this industry and it was the best introduction and learning experience I could have asked for. It was terrifying starting with Disney on such a big platform as a teenager, but I really learned how to navigate a set. That show made me fall in love with my job so I’m forever grateful for that.

Can you tell us about your role in Sony Pictures TV, Jerry Bruckheimer and Spectrum’s new drama series L.A.’s Finest, starring Gabrielle Union and Jessica Alba, a spin-off of the Bad Boys films? You play ‘Isabel’, (Jessica Alba) ’Nancy’s’ rebellious teenage daughter with whom she has a complicated relationship?
I like to say L.A.’s Finest is a cop drama with a twist! We have all the high-stakes drama but with the comedy and action of the Bad Boys films which gives it a really unique tone. I play Isabel, aka Izzy, who is a rebellious teen with a big heart. She’s extremely different than any other character I’ve gotten to play so that was a lot of fun. I even got to shave my head, which was terrifying but liberating and empowering too, and so worth it. In this first season Izzy is battling with the loss of her mother and building this new relationship with her step mom Nancy, played by Jessica Alba. Developing the relationship between Nancy and Izzy was really exciting for me. Jessica is so talented and a dream to work with, so collaborating with her and figuring out this stepmother-daughter dynamic was a very special experience. It was also amazing to work on a show led by women, especially because Jessica and Gabrielle Union are truly two of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met. They led our show with such passion and care and I think you can really feel that in the work.

The show will premiere on Charter Communications’ Spectrum as the platform’s first original series. Will you be watching it? What’s it like seeing yourself on TV, and how do your friends and family react?
I will definitely be watching! Watching myself is never my favorite thing, but I love seeing how it all comes together. We worked really hard on this show and I think it’s going to be special. Seeing myself on TV is always a crazy feeling, but seeing my family react is really my favorite part. I especially enjoy watching my dad because he just gets way too excited every time I’m on screen. I do a lot of intense stuff on this show, so I’m interested to see how they’ll react!