In conversation with Sofia Wylie: webcover of the month

For this exclusive web interview, LATEST held a conversation with amazing actress and dancer Sofia Wylie. The seventeen-year-old talent, started out her promising career in 2016, starring as Buffy Driscoll in Andi Mack on Disney Chanel and later on made her film debut in Australian film Back of the Net. In 2019 she was cast as Gina Porter in the acclaimed Disney TV-series High School Musical The Musical The Series, which has been renewed for a second season. Being very involved into issues relating to female empowerment and diversity in the arts, she founded along with her father the production company called AIFOS, which promotes new and inspiring literary and creative pieces supporting crucial issues related to diversity and inclusion. The company is set to adapt Jenny Torres Sanchez’s novel The Fall of Innocence. Wylie is also an amazing dancer, having made an appearance in 2011 in So You Think You Can Dance and in America’s Got Talent in 2015. She danced in Justin Bieber’s Purpose World Tour and in 2019 she started her IGTV educational dance series Dancing with Sofia Wylie. We talked with Sofia about these stunning achievements and more, also discovering her latest project in the making announced in December 2020. 

Photography Easton Schirra c/o The Only Agency
Style Wilford Lenov
Talent Sofia Wylie c/o IMG Worldwide
Makeup Robert Bryan c/o Exclusive Artist Management using Chanel Beauty
Hair Style Carolina Yasukawa c/o Exclusive Artist Management using Oribe
Style Assistance Kyle Hayes

How did you first approach dancing? Do you have any related special memory in your mind you’d like to share with us? 

Dancing has taught me how to approach almost everything. Dancing requires a lot of dedication, sacrifice and hard work and now that most of my time is spent on set working as an actress on TV and FILM, I use those lessons every day.

How do you cope with this difficult time we are witnessing?

I feel the current political climate has taught us all how to be more compassionate and loving to everyone we come in contact with. I hope to continue to do more and use my plate form to bring awareness to social inequalities.

You recently signed a contract with IMG models, congratulations! Speaking about modeling, you did a shoot on the snow recently with your team, have you ever considered fashion and modeling to be in your future? How was working with the team for the shooting? 

I have been so lucky to have such an amazing team around me and I have a lot of plans in the future to grow in the fashion and modeling industry.

Favorite fashion brands you’re particularly fond of?

I don’t have one brand that I love over others, but I do find I enjoy working with brands that are collaborative and open to allowing more diversity into the fashion world.

You teamed up with Google in honor of Native American Heritage Month to celebrate diversity in the arts. Can you tell us how was your experience working on this project? The message is very powerful and extremely relevant.

As I said I am really looking forward to working with brands that spread this message. I feel little girls all over the world need to see themselves on magazines and movies to show them that they can do anything and be anything they set their minds to!

You launched AIFOS Company in 2019 with the aim to increase awareness on material related to strong female storylines celebrating culturally unique background and stories. What was the idea behind the project? Were you inspired by something you’ve read or someone you admire? Do you have any upcoming project related to AIFOS’ work?

My production company was started several years ago by my father and I. The main goal was to find screenplays and novels that aligned with my belief that diversity is something that needs to be seen on the big screen! I have several screenplays that I’ve purchased that I can’t wait to share with the world.

You’re going to lead the cast in the upcoming Netflix Feature “The School For Good and Evil” directed by Paul Feig. Can you anticipate a little bit of the plot? How was your experience with taking the role of such famous characters inspired by Soman Chainani’s best-selling novel?

My agent Brian and I have been looking for a feature film that I would give me an opportunity to spread my wings as an actress and have fun exploring all aspects of my acting abilities. When the pandemic hit last March, I used it to start talking to different studios about upcoming projects and I met the team working on a The School for Good and Evil. The moment I met the producers and the amazing director Paul Feig, I knew this film was going to be special. I’ve always loved fantasy films like the Harry Potter series and to have a chance to work on a film with those same vibes and based on Soman Chianani’s best-selling novel is a dream come true. Netflix is a great studio to team up with on the film as it gives us an opportunity to show off the enormity of this film!! I just can’t wait!!