IN CONVERSATION WITH ANNASOPHIA ROBB

interview by JANA LETONJA

Actress AnnaSophia Robb is starring in Netdlix’s feature film ‘Rebel Ridge’, which premiered on 6th September. Next up, we’ll be seeing her in NBC’s series ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’, slated to premiere in midseason. AnnaSophia gained recognition with her roles as Bethany Hamilton in ‘Soul Surfer’ and as young Carrie Bradshaw in ‘Carrie’s Diaries’.

AnnaSophia, we’re currently able to watch you in Netflix’s thriller ‘Rebel Ridge’, which explores corruption and morality. What did you enjoy the most about filming this project and portraying Summer?

It was a privilege to be part of this film. Truly, it’s one of the best scripts I’ve ever read. It’s an action movie, but it’s also about justice and the importance of standing up in the face of injustice. And the script is so tight. If you’ve seen the film once, I highly recommend watching it again because you’ll catch things you may not have seen the first time around. Even the bad guys have real motives, the dialogue is so smart, and the whole film is wound tight. It was rewarding reading the script when I first got the audition and an even more rewarding process to film it. And I just love Summer, the character I play. She goes through tremendous changes in the film. When we first meet her, we kind of write her off as an audience, but through the film all of her layers are revealed. There’s so much nuance and the decisions happen in real-time, we see this young mother make the choice to do the right thing in the face of adversity and really have a backbone. So not only was it fun to play her and explore all her colors, but I just admire her character, her spunk, and spirit. And, all of this was made possible by Jeremy Saulnier, our writer, director, editor and producer. The movie is his vision through and through, and he’s brilliant and kind. It was exciting to be on a project that the crew believed in. You could feel that energy on set, and Aaron is a dream. He’s my buddy and I’m so proud of his work and everyone’s work on the film.

dress JEAN PAUL GAUTIER
shoes ZIMMERMAN
earrings ANA LUISA

What was your favorite scene to film in this high-velocity thriller?

I enjoyed filming every scene, but one particular sequence comes to mind. Terry and Summer meet up at a Chinese restaurant to make a plan of action. The scene has real stakes. Summer walks in expecting to plan their escape, but leaves determined to get to the bottom of the corruption they’ve uncovered. They feel like real partners after this scene, it’s a turning point in the film where both characters go through revelations. It’s funny, tense, and touching. I remember reading it and thinking “Damn, that’s good writing”, and that I couldn’t wait to really chew on the scene.

You started your career very young. What ignited your passion for acting at such a young age?

I’m not exactly sure what first inspired me to start acting, I just knew I wanted to pursue it at a very young age, even though I had no clue what it would entail. I’m grateful I possessed that clarity as a kid, and that it continues to be a source of joy and curiosity to this day. I performed when I was young and I loved it, but it wasn’t really until college after studying Greek Tragedies and doing some theater that I really understood my larger passion for storytelling. It’s a way to empathize with people, it's a way to escape, to dream, to connect, to affect the world. I consider it a monumental privilege to be in the arts and perform, and tell stories with old friends and new. Drama was a foundation in ancient democracies, it’s how they shared their mythologies and values, and I believe we still do that today through entertainment. We hold a mirror up to society.

full look GUCCI

How have your roles in ‘Soul Surfer’ and ‘Carrie’s Diaries’ shaped you and your career?

The roles I played when I was younger still live with me today. Those projects affected and impacted more than just me, and that’s a real honor. I’m grateful I had a chance to be part of films and shows that are loved by a lot of people, especially people my age. ‘Soul Surfer’ was a monumental experience because I was playing a real life woman and I got to know Bethany and her family intimately. So, it felt like a huge responsibility, but I also so admired her tenacity, fearlessness, and passion. I don’t possess those qualities to the degree Bethany does, not even close, so it was really fun to channel her spirit. I wouldn’t get in big waves in Hawai’i just for fun or just on my own. And ‘Carrie’s Diaries’ was such a life changing experience too. I moved to NYC at 18, right out of high school to film and after we wrapped, I stayed and went to NYU and met my husband in Brooklyn. It really shaped my life in more than just a job kind of way. I made some of my closest friends on that set too.

How exciting was getting to portray the young Carrie, and getting to show her story before she became one of the most loved characters viewers got to meet in ‘Sex and the City’?

‘Carrie’s Diaries’ was really thrilling. I don’t think I realized at the time it would be so popular and I’m happy people still connect with it. When we were filming, I was in go-mode, I was 19, filming long days and didn’t have a life outside of work. I didn’t know how to balance my personal vs professional life. I don’t think it really hit me that many people had watched it until after it was streaming a few years later. But it just means the most when young people come up and say they watched the show and it inspired them to move to New York or pursue a job in fashion. I mean, that’s what the show did for me too. It’s kind of full circle and that’s crazy to think about.

tank top & trousers JW ANDERSON
shoes VERSACE

In the series we also got to see a lot of the 80s fashion. What were your thoughts about the 80s trends vs. the fashion you got to grow up with, and get to experience today?

I had the most fun dressing as Carrie. I’m actually working with Eric Damen again for my next TV show ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’. I think he really picked the best of the 80s and modernized it. It definitely impacted my understanding of what clothing I like on my body. We’d have hours of fittings so now I just know, for example, what’s a good sleeve length on me, or where a hem should hit. More practical things like that. Honestly, if clothing is well tailored, that makes the biggest difference.

How important is fashion in your everyday life, and what do you love the most about it?

I love fashion. It’s a way to express yourself obviously, but I think it’s also a fun way to help pump yourself up. I like to use it as a costume almost. If I’m feeling blue, I’ll put on my favorite silky skirt and soft cardigan. If I’m feeling powerless, I want to wear a big chunky boot to clomp around in. Fashion changes your mood, it affects how you feel. And I think I most love vintage because it’s unique, it feels like finding a diamond in the rough and more of a treasure than just “Can I get that in my size please”.

Being an actress also allows you to travel a lot for filming. What is your favorite destination you got to visit due to your work?

I love to travel and have been lucky enough to work in some pretty cool places like Barcelona, London, the Canary Islands. But one of my favorite places to film is New Orleans, which is where we filmed ‘Rebel Ridge’. I love that city so much because of the people and the culture. It has its own pace. Just like New York, you have to acclimate to the city and go with its flow. The Spanish moss is magical and it’s a confluence of cultures and history, and there’s music and buttery food everywhere. I adore it.

full look GIORGIO ARMANI

You’re also very vocal about encouraging young people to exercise their right to vote. Why is this something you are so deeply passionate about, and why is it so important for young people to vote?

I’m passionate about voting because it’s one of the most impactful things we get to do as citizens. We all observe injustices in the world, and in our communities, on a daily basis, and voting is an immediate way to use your voice and help change your community. The general election gets the most attention, but it’s also so important for people to pay attention to local elections. Those typically impact your local community the most. Things like voting for judges and the comptroller, basically your government accountant, can lead to local changes that may seem small in comparison to a presidential election, but actually have an even larger impact on your day-to-day life.

Voter suppression is also very real and, unfortunately, has a long history in this country because when the people come together, there is undeniable change, which certain folks fear and want to inhibit. This is why it’s more important now than ever to use your vote and make your voice heard. It is your right to do so. And I encourage anyone reading this to do your research when voting, from reputable sources. Learn about candidates, learn about ballot measures, google, make a voting plan ahead of time. The way you vote impacts your future and your neighbors’. It can feel overwhelming, but there's tons of resources. I like to break my research up into bite-size pieces, a little bit each day or each week so I don’t feel overwhelmed. I bring my voting plan into the voting booth so I feel prepared on voting day.

full look PRADA

Next up, we’ll be seeing you in NBC’s series ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’. Tell us more about this series and what can we expect from it when it comes out midseason.

We’ve only shot the pilot for ‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’, but I’m excited to film the rest of the season in a few months. It’s a really fun show, and I love all the cast members and our show runners. When I read the pilot for the first time, I found myself laughing out loud and was excited to see what happened next with all of the characters. It’s a who-done-it type of show, which keeps the audience on their toes, but it’s also about real people and their problems, and I think it’s smart, funny and delicious. I’m excited to be part of it because it’s something I personally would want to watch and I think others will love the characters and try to piece together the mystery. It’s like a game within each episode.

full look JACQUEMUS

TEAM CREDITS:
talent ANNASOPHIA ROBB
photographer ANKA GARBOWSKA
stylist CHARLIE WARD at SEE MANAGEMENT
makeup SHAYNA GOLDBERG at THE WALL GROUP
hair CLARA LEONARD at THE WALL GROUP
retouching GALINA GLADKIKH
editor TIMI LETONJA
editorial director & interview JANA LETONJA