Briana Roy

Briana Roy

Interview by Carol Wright Photos courtesy of Larry Brownstein and Coachella Magazine

When did you first become interested in acting?

I started as a child model at the age of five doing print ads in Miami which by the way is my hometown. I have done print ads for companies such as Blue Cross Blue shield, Walmart, Target etc. Then I booked my first local commercial following multiple ones. My first acting job was a short film called “Bad English” then two years later I booked a lead role “Nina” in the SAG film (Reclaim) alongside John Cusack, Ryan Phillippe, Rachelle Lefevre, Luis Guzman and two time Oscar nominee Jacki Weaver. The film was distributed by Lionsgate and also on Netflix. Since then I’ve been acting and it has become one of my passions and I’m going to keep on growing in the acting department and I really enjoy it.

What was it like filming the movie Reclaim? Can you tell us a bit about your character ?

My character Nina in the movie Reclaim was really about child trafficking. Hmmm, who is Nina? Nina is a little girl from Haiti who after her parents passed away after the earthquake that happened in Haiti in 2010, got conducted to Puerto Rico by an adoption agent (played by Jacki Weaver) in a hope to find a better life and that’s when a lot of things got twisted when Benjamin (Played by John Cusack) stepped in.

Did you get any advice from the veteran actors on set?

They taught me so much and I really appreciate all the tips they gave me. Working with all those experienced actors like John Cusack, Ryan Phillippe, Jacki Weaver, Luis Guzman and Rachelle Lefevre was truly awesome.

What is your favorite memory from on set?

I have got to say my favorite memory on set so far was in Puerto Rico n the last day of filming Reclaim. My on screen adopted parents (Played by Ryan Phillippe & Rachelle Lefevre) surprised me with a card full of kind and welcoming words and some nice gifts. It was Awesome!

As a young, black girl in the industry. How important has it been for you to stay true to yourself and show diversity on screen?

As a young black girl in the industry, it is very important to me to show and spread my diversity on screen especially right now when diversity is very in demand. I am a proud afro carrier and working hard to make an impact on young black girls like me in a way to encourage them to rock their natural hair wherever they are. For example, I always ask to wear my hair in an Afro while shooting a project, and every chance I get. By the way, so many people reach out to me on a daily basis on social media about my hair / Afro which is my signature look & yaaasss I got to do it, show my FRO cause I rock #AfroPrincess “oui c’est moi Briana Roy.”

Are there particular actors you hope to work with in the future?

I have a long list of Actors/Actresses I would like to work with, for example, Morgan Freeman, Vin Diesel, Taraji P Henson, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Hart,

27Gabrielle Union, Kerry Washington,Viola Davis, Matt Damon,Will Smith, Adam Sandler, Danny Glover, Samuel L Jackson and the list goes on and on.

Our theme for this issue is ‘Art is Life’. How has art changed your life?

Huh what a coincidence this issue is based on art and I’m part of this specific issue where in real life I did attend Art classes in Miami at the“ Little Haiti Cultural Center” for three years and Miami times wrote an article about the art school and it happened to be my picture while I was painting something.

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

My advice for aspiring actors is to be you, stay focused and have your eyes on the prize. If that’s what you choose and love then go for it and please don’t focus on the negativity keep growing and glowing while doing what you enjoy.