Meet Sofia Bryant
Sofia was photographed by Alison Engstrom; styling by Sarah Slutsky for Studio SES; hair by Kyrsten Oriol; makeup by Camille Thompson
First look: Ulla Johnson top and skirt; DEMARSON earrings and rings
Above: Vintage dress; Lulu Frost earrings; DEMARSON, Mejuri, and Jenny Bird rings; Reike Nen loafers
I’d love to learn more about your background! Where did you grow up?
I was born in New York, and moved to Helsinki when I was around 3. I love it there, it’s definitely a different pace from New York though. I moved back to New York when I was around nine. I’m a hardcore New Yorker, and I totally wear it on my sleeve 25/8, but there are definitely things I miss about Finland. There’s a ton of nature and forests, which is great for hiking, and it of course it snows a bunch so you get super scenic winters, which is my absolute favorite thing in the world. I’ve still got tons of family and friends over there, it’s always fun going back to visit.
How did you get your start in performing?
I was always into the arts, at first more just visual arts and singing but it morphed into acting in my early teens. I used to do a lot of musical theater when I was in middle and high school, and through that I got into drama in my later teens. I found my love for TV and film along the way and just kept at it.
When did you know you wanted to reach for the stars and make it your career?
I’ve always had a yearning for more TV and film with and for people of color, especially black and brown women. I was very much an awkward black girl growing up. In Finland, I was more often than not one of the only black kids in in my classes and friend circles. Having a book, show, or movie that was comforting and relatable to me specifically, wasn’t the most common thing I came across. It’s wasn’t until I started pursuing acting that I realized how little representation there is. I still wasn’t seeing enough multi-dimensional black characters that felt realistic and relatable to me. I rarely felt that the complex black experience was given room to be discussed as casually as other experiences. That was something that really inspired me to start acting, and it’s something that continues to motivate me today.
Has there been a moment so far where you have had to stop and pinch yourself? Has there been a game changing or defining moment?
It all feels pretty surreal whenever I stop to think about it. For me, the most surreal thing has to be seeing the final project. After hours of work, getting to see it through a new lens, as a viewer. You always picture things differently in your head, when you’re on set, in the moment and you’re in character, that world being created is your truth. Stepping back and interacting with a project from a viewer’s perspective makes you interpret things differently than before.
You have two new projects, the first being ‘The Girl In The Woods’ on Peacock. Can you talk more about how that part came to you, the plot, and your character Tasha?
The Girl in the Woods follows three teens who band together to fight off monsters coming through a secret door in the woods. I play Tasha, a city girl trying to survive in her tiny boring mining town. She’s super loyal, which is what I really love about her. She’s definitely gone through a lot this season. With the recent death of her mother, her dad’s debt, and now this literal door to hell in the woods—she’s got a lot on her plate. She masks her emotions a lot and has some points of doubt and hesitation, but it’s awesome to see her growth toward the end of the season. She really shows that loyalty to her friends by stepping up and doing her part.
Above: Marsell loafers
I always like to ask if there is a message or key take away that you want the audience to have. The series explores more serious topics like discrimination and the harmful effects humans have on the planet. What would you say you want others to think about after binging the series?
I love this question. I hope that viewers feel seen more than anything. We want to show the in between moments these characters go through. Dealing with loss, drug abuse, figuring out your gender identity, all of these are so important to not glamorize or summarize but rather show in their entirety. Someone going through a similar moment of growth can feel validated in knowing that what they’re dealing with isn’t supposed to look one way. Growing up is messy, people are complex, and there’s never a specific amount of time these processes take. Taking an experience that is so personal, specific and relative to an individual, and having it resonate with many different people is challenging, but when you show just how human it really is, you find so many people resonating with that same experience. Know that whatever you’re dealing with is valid and that you aren’t alone.
Your other project is ‘Mark, Mary & Some Other People’, won Best Screenplay at the Tribeca film festival, congratulations! Can you share more about the project?
Thank you! I play Mary’s sister Tori. Mary is newly married but is wanting more out of her relationship with her now husband Mark. Tori introduces the idea of having an open marriage, and Mary reluctantly agrees to try it out with Mark. In conclusion it gets chaotic and messy and it’s hilarious. Tori is also the drummer in her older sister Mary’s semi-shitty punk band. Coincidentally, I had picked up drumming right before starting the project, so I got to continue practicing throughout the shoot. Patric Stump guided us through our initial rehearsals, I learned so much within such a short time frame. Filming MM&SOP was such a blast. It was so empowering being on set with so many talented powerhouse women, I love our cast. Hayley, Odessa and I had so much room to play. Hannah really let us have fun with it.
Above: Adam Lippes sweater and pants; Dorsey necklace and earrings; Sofia’s own earrings; Mejuri, and Jenny Bird rings; Vince Camuto heels
When it comes to your work, what really gets you excited? Do you have any dream collaborators?
I get excited whenever I read a script for a project that I haven’t seen before, especially when I get to portray a character I needed when I was younger. Knowing that I can do that for other black and brown girls, inspires me everyday. This is really specific but I’d love to see more black and brown women playing rock stars and cowboys—and even more specifically, I would love to be a rockstar cowboy. I’ve always thought they were cool and I think we need to reclaim that space. Black women deserve to look epic and cool in TV and film.
Above: Love Shack Fancy jacket and skirt; Rui top; Hat Attack gloves; Mateo earring; Mounser earring
What’s one piece of advice you have received that you hold close to you and refer to it often?
A piece of advice that I’ve turned into a daily practice of mine is to not measure personal success through external validation. Be proud of yourself when you accomplish goals you’ve set; talk to and about yourself the way you talk to and about your favorite people—self-love all the way, 25/8.
Since you are living in Brooklyn now, what’s your favorite part about living in NYC?
New York is the best city. No one can fight me on that or change my mind. Being the extremely sporadic person that I am, it’s perfect for me. There’s always something super weird, cool and random to do. I went bowling in an underground arcade last week. How many people can say that sentence? I’m also a huge foodie, which I get from my dad, and there’s never a shortage of food options here, especially in Bushwick. Brooklyn is definitely my safe space. I’ve always come to Brooklyn to just walk around, bike, or sit by the water and meditate. I’m pretty sure Bushwick and I are in love. I have my record shops, cafes, camera shops, and restaurants all in the same place. It’s heaven.
Styling Assistant: Carlee Princell