Troy Johnson

from Rival Magazine LA Issue 12: Featuring Taryn Manning

by rivalmagazinela

Mandeep Dhillon

TroyJohnson

Troy Johnson

By: Olivia Vitarelli

She plays Harper, a sharp-witted and courageous teen, on a new season of ABC’s drama Big Sky. Troy Johnson, the dynamic and impassioned young actress with an appetite for breeding connection and an indelible love for the theater, is on the rise, gracing streaming platforms and network television alike. The breakout talent chats here with Rival about her start in acting, her network television debut, and the greatest lesson the industry has taught her.

“I first started acting when I was in elementary school. Not professionally, just for fun, ” Troy shares. “One of my friends and her parents said that she was going to a theatre camp for the summer and suggested that I go too. I did and I ended up loving it, so I kept acting for fun, and eventually I started auditioning for professional gigs.” Reflecting on one central factor that motivated her transition into the professional industry, Troy emphasizes the importance of representation. “…the actors of color and projects I watched as a kid that had people of color at the forefront meant a lot to me,” she says. “Honestly, if I hadn’t seen that growing up, I don’t know if I would have even thought working in this industry was an option for me. Representation is really important.”

Johnson plays Harper in season two of ABC’s drama Big Sky, which returned to air this past September. “Harper and the group of friends she hangs out with (and gets into trouble with) are new additions to the second season of Big Sky,” Troy reveals. “She’s incredibly brave and works hard to keep her cool and keep her wits about her in the dangerous situations

she finds herself in…When the season kicks off she’s just a normal teenager…but after she and her friends discover bags full of drugs and money at a crime scene, their relationships with one another are strengthened in some ways and tested in others.” As the stakes rise throughout the season, the actress notes, “Everything gets very intense and it’s hard to know who to trust. That’s one of the really interesting and entertaining things about Big Sky. You never really know what to believe…”

While Troy and her character Harper share a few common traits, like their propensity for logical thinking in the face of danger, the actress concedes that Harper “is a bit more opportunistic” than herself. “I think she’s willing to take risks for opportunities that I’m definitely not willing to take. I don’t know, hopefully that works out for her though.”

One opportunity that Troy did seize? The chance to play this role. “I was pretty nervous going in because, I mean, I’ve never been on network television before. Everyone is so experienced and I was jumping into the show in its second season,” she reveals. “But from my first day on set everyone was so lovely and welcoming and giving. It’s also really cool being able to work on a show that prioritizes inclusivity both in front of the camera and behind the camera. I just feel so honored.”

In lieu of her network television experience, Troy relied on a myriad of past theatrical work to guide her acting. “I started acting in theatre and I think because of that it just holds a very special place in my heart. That will always be some of my favorite kind of work to do,” she reveals. As a cast member in the acclaimed play The Wolves, which won an LA Times Critic Choice Award, Troy worked under the guidance of a powerful and inspiring woman director. “Working on The Wolves was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had in my life so far,” she affirms. “The project and everyone who worked on it mean so much to me. Getting to be a part of a play that was directed by such an incredible and talented woman, focused on showing the beauty, challenges, complexity, and love in female friendships and coming of age as a young girl in this world, felt so special. I feel honored to have gotten to be a part of that.” Troy continues to sing her cast and crew’s praises, noting, “That experience will stick with me throughout the entirety of my life. Everyone I got to work on The Wolves with—they’re some of my most favorite people in this world. I love them.” Johnson’s illustrious theatrical background naturally carries with it a love for singing. “I used to do musical theatre as a kid but I’ve never had the opportunity to sing professionally for a role. I’d love to though, it would be amazing. For now I’ll just keep singing show tunes in my room.”

As a young actress in industry, Troy has learned critical lessons, like the importance of advocating for oneself. “I think that’s just something that every young adult, honestly every person regardless of age and regardless of what industry they’re working in, has to learn,” she says. “There’s nothing wrong with having needs and aspirations and boundaries in life— we all should—and there’s definitely nothing wrong with voicing them. Being kind to others doesn’t mean losing kindness for yourself. It can be challenging and easier said than done, but it’s important to realize that it’s ok to speak up for yourself. It’s important to know your worth.”

Johnson’s advocacy extends beyond just herself—she passionately supports The Happy Hippie Foundation, PETA, and The Lonely Whale Foundation, all of which advocate for a variety of vulnerable people, places, and animals. “Happy Hippie focuses on helping vulnerable young communities, LGBTQ+ youth, young people experiencing homelessness, young people transitioning out of foster care, etc.,” Troy explains. “People tend to overlook these communities, but young people are our future. It’s imperative that everyone knows that regardless of your identity, your background, where you’re at in life, or what you’ve been through, you deserve help, you deserve opportunities, and you hold value.” The Lonely Whale Foundation, Troy says, “is focused on educating people on ways to understand and protect the Earth’s oceans and marine life. Our oceans and the marine life that inhabit them are so incredibly beautiful and special, and I just don’t think it’s fair for us to ignore environmental issues and the part that we play in them. I appreciate that Lonely Whale offers education in an empathetic and easy to understand way.” All in all, Troy concludes, “These two organizations… prioritize education and empathy. Those are things I really want to prioritize in my life as well.”

In addition to championing empathy and education, Johnson ultimately strives to cultivate connections

through her work. “Acting allows me to not only feel more connected to the world and people around me, but to myself too,” she reveals. “I’ve met a lot of artists (and people who don’t identify as artists but who enjoy consuming [art]) who feel the same way. If anything I ever do allows someone to feel more connected to some aspect of life, whether it be themselves, their community, or anything really, that will mean a lot.”