Rising Star Alexandra Bradley On The Five Things You Need To Shine In TV & Film
1. Acting is a full-time job, even for a kid! Even if you are not on a show, you always have auditions, so you are constantly on call.
2. You will have to cancel a vacation. It seems like all my tv roles come when our family has a vacation planned. I love acting so I take the roles, but I have missed a few fun trips!
3. Be nice to everyone and stay kind and listen. I am friends always with everyone and it is just more fun to be nice and kind. I also listen to others, especially my directors, as this makes their life easier.
4. Always believe in yourself — don’t let the constant rejection impact you — just ignore it!
5. You can turn down an audition — when you just know you are not right for a role, just say no!
As a part of our series about pop culture’s rising stars, we had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Alexandra Bradley. Alexandra is best known for her leading role in the newly released feature film The Greatest Ever currently available on Amazon + and recently previewed at the Cannes Film Festival. Alex plays Riley Waters, a young girl on the spectrum with the heart of a champion who strives to leave her mark on the world despite having all the odds stacked against her. Other notable TV credits include Teen Rachel (young Claire Danes) in ABC’s and Disney’s award-winning series Fleishman is in Trouble with Claire Danes, Showtime’s City on a Hill with Kevin Bacon, and NBC’s The Blacklist with James Spader. On stage, this young talent has starred as Gretl and Marta in Broadway’s National Tour production of The Sound of Music as well as the principal role of Lottie in the Off-Broadway production of The Little Princess. When not working, Alex enjoys dancing, playing tennis, and lacrosse.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
So, I grew up in a huge and fun family starting in New York City and then we moved to the Jersey Shore when I was around three. My brother was the oldest and then I have an older sister and then a younger sister. We are all about 18 months apart. I guess I am technically the middle child and definitely the middle sister. I am the only one with blonde hair in the family. When I was really little, I believed in the Golden Fairy because I was born with brown hair and my mom told me that when I was almost one years old the Golden Fairy, who visited the kindest and most special girls, stopped by my crib one night and transformed my hair golden. My mom still tells me this happened . . . even now!
Can you share a story with us about what brought you to this specific career path?
Both of my sisters are also actresses, and it was my oldest sister, Cat, who inspired me to begin acting. I remember watching her have the courage to sing at cabarets in New York and audition for open calls for off-Broadway and Broadway tours and shows. I remember she booked the lead in an off-Broadway show called Show & Tell and I went with her the first day to rehearsal. One of the smaller parts was still not cast and the director asked me if I could act and I said yes and got the part and like Cat and my younger sister, Aubin, I was hooked.
Can you tell us the most interesting story that happened to you since you began your entertainment career?
A really funny story that happened early on when I was auditioning was that I was obsessed with booking Little Cosette in the Broadway Tour of Les Misérables and Aubin was obsessed with booking Gretl in the Broadway Tour of The Sound of Music. People used to think we were twins because we were literally the same size, but I was older. We were always auditioning for the same roles. So, when The Sound of Music came up and I booked it, I felt bad because I was happy, but I knew Aubin was also perfect for the role. A few months later when I was on tour, Aubin auditioned for Little Cosette and then she booked it. We both booked each other’s dream roles. And then, Cat booked Lily Potter in Broadway’s Harry Potter & The Cursed Child. It was crazy because all three of us were literally working at the same time.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
When I first started getting self-tapes for auditions, I did not read the entire breakdown and mis-read which part I was auditioning for. I did the entire self-tape reading the boyfriend lines. I got notes that the audition was great and still got a call back for the correct role, but I know that not all casting directors will be as forgiving. So now, I make sure and really read the breakdown carefully before I start.
What are some of the most interesting or exciting projects you are working on now? How do you think that might help people?
I have a movie out right now on Amazon that is called The Greatest Ever directed and written by Steve Grimaldi, who was amazing to work with and learn from. I play the lead role of Riley, and this is such an inspirational character and was a huge challenge to play this role authentically and such an honor to bring Riley to life. I learned so much from portraying Riley. Riley was born with a disability and still strived to leave her mark on the world even having all odds stacked against her. She inspires her sister who does achieve greatness. This show can really help others to learn to keep trying even when they have failure and to believe in themselves.
Most young people your age don’t have to balance work and school. Can you tell us how you manage to balance your schoolwork, auditions, and time on set?
It’s a challenge, but I make it work. I have stayed in an in-person school and am thankful that my school and teachers work with me. I am really organized so I just have to work really hard and communicate. I have found that if I communicate with my teachers and love to learn that I can make it work.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?
Well, of course my mom and sisters were a huge help and inspiration. But my acting and vocal coach, Theresa Pittius, who founded The Prep, has been with me every step of the way from The Sound of Music, where she taught me how to sing, to even working with me on brining Riley to life in The Greatest Ever. I love her so much!
Ok, thank you for all that. Now let’s jump to the main part of our interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each.)
1. Acting is a full-time job, even for a kid! Even if you are not on a show, you always have auditions, so you are constantly on call.
2. You will have to cancel a vacation. It seems like all my tv roles come when our family has a vacation planned. I love acting so I take the roles, but I have missed a few fun trips!
3. Be nice to everyone and stay kind and listen. I am friends always with everyone and it is just more fun to be nice and kind. I also listen to others, especially my directors, as this makes their life easier.
4. Always believe in yourself — don’t let the constant rejection impact you — just ignore it!
5. You can turn down an audition — when you just know you are not right for a role, just say no!
You are a person of enormous influence. How do you think you can use social media as a platform to be a positive influence to your fans, and for society at large?
So, I have not really been active for years on social media as I am a really private person. Lately though, I realized that social media can be positive if you share positive messages. I am going to start being a lot more active!
If you had the ability to choose to work on any TV show or film, or work alongside any co-star, or with any director, what or who would that be, and why? You never know who might see this article, especially if we tag them. :-)
Growing up, I was obsessed with The Vampire Diaries and actually visited Mystic Falls with my mom and sisters. I would love to do a show like this and play a vampire — especially like Caroline — who was a good vampire — strong, loyal and good to all of her friends! I also would love to do a project with my sisters.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram at @alexbbradley_
This was very meaningful, thank you so much!
