Sophia Hammons Talks Growing Up in the Entertainment Industry, Trusting the Voices Inside You
Plane, car, hotel, set. Plane, car, hotel, studio. From the sounds of this, it doesn’t appear to fit the life of a teeager, but actress Sophia Hammons is always on the go and soaking up every opportunity the entertainment industry has to offer. Leaving the peacefulness Boulder, CO offered her as a young teenager, Hammons set off on her dreams to become an actress. The months Hammons spent away from home auditioning for Broadway plays and working on TV sets allowed her to have the ability to be living her dreams today as a young actress.
“I remember when I was in seventh grade, I spent a month out in LA away from my friends and family just auditioning,” Hammons said. “When you actually book the role, you spend even more time away from home, so it took some time to adjust.
These sacrifices Hammons made throughout her childhood and teenage years gave her the ability to land her latest role. Viewers can watch Hammons head back to New York City in the ‘90’s in Hulu’s musical rom-com “Up Next.” Released this past March, viewers can watch Celeste (Hammons) be one of the voices in Lindsay’s (Mae Whitman) head as Lindsay discovers the greatest obstacle to falling in love might be oneself.
“I just know my younger self is screaming about “Up Here” because it combines film and musical theater, and I got to work with some Broadway icons,” Hammons said.
Hammons has starred in Disney Channel’s “Under Wraps” and “Under Wraps 2,” but playing Celeste has been one of her most memorable parts to date. She was able to dive into this character because she related to it on a personal level.
“It was really the first time I looked in the mirror and physically saw myself as a character. Having fake braces, frizzy hair, and iconic 80’s outfits really helped me become Celeste,” Hammons said.
Even though Hammons felt comfortable with her character, she pushed herself and experienced many firsts being a part of “Up Here.” The budding actress was able to use her past in musical theater by recording multiple songs and musical sequences for the show. Hammons was able to relish in these firsts because she had the guidance of industry veteran, Mae Whitman. She recalls how Whitman taught her to be present in the moment, both on set and in scene, and to be a generous human being given the opportunities presented to oneself. “Up Here” resonated with the young actress because as she navigates the entertainment industry, she realizes that people have to listen to the voices in their heads. No matter if these voices are good or bad it makes one who they are.
Hammons admitted she is a perfectionist when it comes to acting and tends to get frustrated and upset if she doesn’t get her lines or cues right on the first try. On set, Hammons reminds herself it's’ okay to not be perfect the first time. As Hammons navigates the entertainment industry's ups and downs, she hopes to have a career that mirrors Greta Gerwig and Taika Waititi by becoming a director and producer. She is grateful for her current experiences and looks to the future to create further content.
“I feel so much gratitude for the opportunities I have been given, and I’m forever grateful for having such supportive people by my side,” Hammons said. Although Hammons has experienced ups and downs within the industry, from being away from friends and family for months on end, to not getting parts audition after audition, she is committed to what is important in life.
“I truly value friendships and I’m so grateful to have such good friends who are in the industry and some who are not,” Hammons said. The young actress cannot speak to upcoming projects in the works, but what she can say is that she won’t be leaving the entertainment industry anytime soon. As she continues on the roller coaster that is the entertainment industry, Hammons holds this mentality.
“Never give up and try not to dwell on the things you can’t control.”
You can find Sophia by streaming “Up Here” on Hulu and her movies on Disney+. Her Instagram is @thesophiahammons. Find the full interview with Sophia here.
What is something people don’t know about you?
Something people don’t know about me is that in acting, I’m a perfectionist. I get frustrated and upset if I don’t get it right. But in my personal life, I’m a very “go with the flow” type of person. I’m pretty easy going! I have to remind myself at times that it’s okay if I don’t do everything perfectly the first time.
Besides acting, what are some of your other favorite things to do?
In my free time I really enjoy hanging out with my friends. I truly value friendships and I’m so grateful to have such good friends who are in the industry and some who are not. I also love to travel, play my guitar, and practice archery!
I know you are from Boulder, but do you enjoy being in LA?
I absolutely love LA, and “Up Here” has really made me fall in love with New York too. Cities like that are so dynamic and diverse, and really do never go to sleep. Recently though, after spending lots of time away from home, I’m starting to appreciate Boulder and its peacefulness.
How has it been growing up in the spotlight? What are the challenges about being in the spotlight as a teenager?
I feel so much gratitude for the opportunities I have been given, and I’m forever grateful for having such supportive people by my side. However, I’ve had to make lots of sacrifices. I remember when I was in seventh grade, I spent a month out in LA away from my friends and family just auditioning. When you actually book the role, you spend even more time away from home, so it took some time to adjust. But I wouldn’t want it any other way!
What made you want to become an actress?
I started singing in my school choir when I was nine, and my teacher suggested I try musical theater. I fell in love with it and started doing shows in regional theaters, and eventually auditioning for Broadway productions. I got really close to being cast a few times, but I was always too tall. I then transitioned into film and loved it even more because I got to deliver more grounded and personal performances. I just know my younger self is screaming about “Up Here” because it combines film and musical theater, and I got to work with some Broadway icons.
What has been one your most memorable characters to play so far?
I think playing Celeste was pretty memorable! It was really the first time I looked in the mirror and physically saw myself as a character. Having fake braces, frizzy hair, and iconic 80’s outfits really helped me become Celeste. But filming “Up Here” was memorable in itself. I got to work with Mae who I’ve been watching for years, and I got to live in New York, my favorite city, for a summer.
What was it like working on Up Here?
My experience on “Up Here” was just as unique and fun as the show itself. I had a lot of firsts on this project, like recording multiple songs, filming musical sequences, having braces, and doing something set in a different time period. Mae is so great to work with. She’s generous, humble, and just a kind person. She taught me how to be present both in a scene and just on set. What I really want viewers to take away from the show is that the voices in our heads can be good and very bad, but they make us who we are.
Could you picture yourself being anything other than an actress?
One day I’d really like to direct and/or produce, but I can’t see myself doing anything outside of the entertainment industry.
What is a dream project of yours you hope to work on one day?
Easy, anything with Taika Waititi or Greta Gerwig. Maybe Taika Waititi and Greta Gerwig?
What advice do you have for young actors?
Never give up and try not to dwell on the things you can’t control.
Where can people find your work?
You can keep up with me on Instagram @thesophiahammons, but “Up Here” is streaming on Hulu and I have two movies on Disney+. Just get the bundle. Still trying to figure out how to get on ESPN. :)