Meet Emily Skinner
Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself?!
My name is Emily, and I’m an actress. I've been acting since I was seven years old. I started off booking little gigs and I was really shy so it was difficult at first, but then I got really into it and I booked a Disney show. Ever since then, I have gained a platform, and I use it to spread love and inform others on issues that are important to me.
What is your favorite part of acting?
Definitely being able to step away from myself and my life and whatever I’’m going through. I love being able to use acting as a way to understand what others are going through. I study and analyze the roles I’m given, and become those characters. I think it's really beautiful to help people through my art.
What has been your favorite role to play and why?
Well, I definitely loved playing Amber in andi mack because she started off so one dimensional, and then throughout the seasons you saw the different layers of her. I loved how I got to make her a well rounded person. Then obviously Chloe from crown lake. I loved playing her because she’s so different from all the other characters I’ve ever played. I’ve been casted a lot of similar roles and this was totally different. She had a whole different personality, I also love her because of how much she’s helped others with what they’re going through.
What’s your favorite part of playing Chloe?
Probably her sarcasm. I usually play the diva role and being able to play the outsider has been a lot of fun. The fact that I am helping kids through a character is something I never thought I'd be able to do that and just the most rewarding feeling to see kids make edits of my character and dm me and say “you playing chloe has helped me so much with accepting myself.”
Why do you think there needs to be more LGBTQ+ representation in film and TV?
Well, I feel it's extremely important because so many kids are in communities with people who aren't accepting of them and if you are one of those kids it's so important to be able to turn to film and TV and have people that are like you, and feel like you're not alone and know that there is so much outside of what you are living in. If you aren't accepted by your family or community, it is so important to see that other people are like you and that they will accept you. One of my best friends, Josh who played Cyrus ( the first ever gay main character on a Disney show) on Andi Mack got so many DMs saying things like “I literally watched the show in my closet like hiding because my family won't let me watch it but seeing that kids are like me like saved my life.” It is so powerful to have that representation on TV because everyone needs to be able to see themselves on television no matter who they are.
BRAT is definitely talking about heavier but important topics in their shows, what is your favorite part of working with them?
I love BRAT because they have really big hearts. They will step with me to donate to organizations. They’re always open to contributing to the causes that are important to the kids that they work with. They are never afraid to talk about more controversial things in their shows, they don’t do it because they think they should or for themselves, but because they think it’ll help other kids through their shows. I’ve also met my best friends through BRAT, the shows become families. They are such amazing people.
What advice would you give to other actors/ actresses?
I would say it is a marathon not a sprint. If you just want to do it to be famous, don’t do it. Acting is hard work and dedication. You have to love memorizing scripts, and going to acting classes, studying, researching and reading. I think people don't realize that sometimes. You’re not going to audition and book the first role. You’re gonna go on many auditions and not book for a while. You have to love it for acting and not what comes along with it.
Photo by Hana Adams
