Did you remember a moment in your life in which you first felt like “I made it” as an actor?
Hm. I want to say, yes. I feel like I have those silly “I made it” moments all the time, but then you’re still reminded there is still so much farther to go. I suppose when I started doing fan conventions around the world, getting to meet the people that were impacted by my character’s journey and my acting. It always touches me to think I could have inspired someone, halfway around the globe. It really makes it all worth it.
What values are most important to you?
I’d say truth, honesty, what really defines a person. I start there when I character build. I’d like to think of their pillars, what are they made up of; the values are like ingredients. So, I view other people like that. I try to always find the goodness too, in others and my characters.
Who are some artists that have influenced your craft and in what ways?
I’m a huge Frida Kahlo fan, not just because she’s a Mexican woman, but because she was so revolutionary as a person, as a creative force. She had been through so much pain in her life, and you could feel it in her art, but she also never stopped expressing herself. Expressing hurt and beauty. She always felt to me like such a profound energy, and I admire her a lot. As far as actors, I love Meryl, and Daniel Day, all the Cates (Kate), and Christian Bale a lot. I love how they morph, change so much. You don’t know who they’ll be next. I love the idea of that, and I try to bring that to my characters.
What kind of roles do you prefer when you are looking at a potential character to portray?
It really depends on where I am in my life. Before I played Raven, I was kind of sick of Hollywood and their perception of women. It was always “hot, thin, sexual but virginal,” etc. It was just so uninteresting and, honestly, unrealistic to me.
I wanted to play a girl that didn’t care about being “pretty” or had to be “likable.” I wanted someone smart and strong, who could just be herself because that’s what I was searching for in me. So, as far as the future holds, I’ve really allowed for more calmness in my life, more gentleness. And happiness, I’ve been focusing on that a lot lately. I want a role that will challenge me creatively and intellectually, but with probably more lightness than the world of The 100.
How do you deal with the stress of the entertainment industry?
Haha, not great! I’ve been working on that. I kicked coffee because it would also stress me out, and now I meditate a lot, write about it in my journal, or talk to my therapist and friends. Pray about it and then sleep on it. I found approaching situations with calmness brings me the most clarity. Oh, and laughing! I used to stress so much about being perfect with everything, and now I just laugh at how silly it all can be.
What are some causes that you believe in and would love to bring awareness to?
I work with a great foundation called Active Minds that aids college-age students with tools for their mental health. Services, therapists, curriculum, etc. Mental health is a huge passion of mine, and with this program, we are actively trying to ban the “stigma” around it and create a much more open dialogue about ways one can be healthier or help themselves or others. I’m very proud of the work they do, and I hope to be more involved in the future.
What do you hope to achieve through your art?
Oh wow, so much. In the past, I think I was just so curious. I wanted to express the human story, explore every corner of it.I then went through a powerful phase of wanting to move others, inspire them, help or heal them through story. I think now, I’m in a place where I want to just revel in the joy of creation, in world-building and character building and connection.
