This is Melanie Wozniak; Star of award-winning film, A Girl Like Him directed by Amy S. Weber. Melanie stars as Lennon Grey, a small-town teen who makes a surprising life change, spiraling their lifelong best friend into a dark place when he realizes things will never be the same between them. Throughout the film Lennon reaches a fork in the road regarding their identity and what it would mean to authentically themselves. The film is a follow up from the mind of Amy S. Weber and her film A Girl Like Her.
Melanie, welcome to OLC! First of all, I have to ask about being raised in Australia, where in Australia did you grow up and how did you forge your path to America and make waves in the industry there?
Hi! Thank-you so much for having me on OLC! You can watch my latest film where I play Lennon Grey in, ‘A Girl Like Him’, available on Prime Video and VOD, March 11th.
I was raised in Perth, Western Australia. I loved growing up here because it gave me such an amazing home base to flourish. It’s a small town which I loved because it was quiet and peaceful. I’m grateful to have grown up here, with it being one of the most isolated cities in the world (literally), it jump started my love for travel! Heading to America was absolutely on my horizon, and while growing up in Australia and watching American shows, it felt like traveling to LA was what you had to do. I moved to LA at the age of about 22, and took acting class after acting class, audition after audition, and then I started to book! You eventually just gain momentum and move from project to project.
Let’s talk about your new film “A Girl Like Him” which tackles deep themes of identity and change. Can you tell us a bit about the film and your character Lennon Grey, and how did you prepare for such a complex character?
The film ‘A Girl Like Him’ follows Lennon and a group of high school kids through a pivotal life moment. We follow Lennon Grey, come out to their family and friends as non-binary. The film shows us the impact that this has on Lennon and the people around them; the impact being the distress and reality of not living as your true authentic self, and the judgement and misunderstanding from others when someone shares they are non-binary. This film tackles how our society deals with change and authenticity, and gives viewers a powerful and uplifting message. Lennon Grey is a force of nature, and serves as a role model for others to show us we are never alone in our struggles of identity. Preparing for this role, I used a lot of imagination to really flesh out the world that Lennon lives in, and pulled from stories within our LGBTQ+ community, and my own, to breathe life into Lennon.
The film has already won ‘Best Of’ awards at major festivals. How does it feel to see the story resonate with audiences on such a large scale?
It feels so amazing! It really just shows how universal these themes are and how relatable the film is. Everyone, on some scale, at one time or another, faces challenges with fitting in and staying true to themselves. This film is such an incredible reminder that you are never alone. Having won ‘best of’ internationally, means so much to me. I am so grateful for everyone who has seen the film, and I’m so thankful to everyone who has resonated with the story.
Lennon reaches a major turning point in their identity journey. Was there a particular scene or moment in the film that felt especially powerful or personal to you?
In the film, Lennon reaches a pivotal moment where they want to cut their hair very very short, finally letting go of a fake identity that they have been upholding for so long. In this scene, we decided it would be more authentic and truthful to truly cut my hair. This made the moment so powerful, because having to physically cut my hair, I really felt the weight of this moment and what it represents. It was heartbreaking and wonderful. It enabled me to dive even deeper into Lennon, and on a personal level, it felt like I was also shedding everything unauthentic that I had been holding onto.
This is Amy S. Weber’s follow-up to “A Girl Like Her.” How was it collaborating with her, and what do you think sets this film apart?
Collaborating with Amy was such a dream. I was such a fan of ‘ A Girl Like Her’ and was so excited to be a part of her next film. She is an excellent director, and truly cares so much about sharing stories that are meaningful, impactful, and can change the world. I believe what sets this film apart is the heart of the film. Every character was so perfectly cast, and there was such a beautiful synergy onset and onscreen. I don’t believe you can watch the film and not be impacted. My hope is that this film encourages the viewers to re-think how they interact with others, and to challenge their ideologies.
You’re passionate about breaking mental health stigmas. How do you hope “A Girl Like Him” contributes to the conversation around mental health and authenticity?
My hope is that this film can serve as a pillar of light for anyone facing similar struggles. I want the film to speak to viewers with raw honesty, showing them that they are not alone in their battles. The film addresses universal themes, and I believe that the more we normalise conversations around mental health, the more we, as a society, can become open and supportive of one another. I hope this film serves as a strong reminder that when you are true to yourself, you give others permission to do the same. It is so important to embrace your authenticity. There is no one else like you, and we need you here, as you.
Beyond acting, you advocate for health and wellness. How do you incorporate that into your daily life, and do you have any go-to wellness routines or products?
Every morning, I prioritize my yoga practice. I am a certified teacher, so after I wake up, get the sun on my face, and have my black coffee, I move into my yoga room. Reconnecting with my conscious breath, centering my thoughts, and moving through the asanas (postures), is so important for me to start my day. Discipline is key. I also love ending the day with a gentle walk to our local park, with my dog Bernard. These are my daily habits, and here and there it’s always fun to do a beach workout or a group fitness class. My go to wellness tips are to eat whole foods, lots of vegetables, unprocessed foods and drink lots of water. Every day I drink lemon water, and I scrape my tongue every morning and night (game changer).
What advice would you give to young people struggling with identity, self-acceptance, or navigating big life changes like Lennon does in the film?
My advice to you, is to stay true to yourself. I know it is hard finding your way, or expressing yourself how you choose, but know you have a huge community around you. There are so many others facing the same battles as you are, and I really hope Lennon Grey can be an anchor for you. This film is filled with true stories, so please know you are not alone. There is no one else like you and trust me when I say the world needs you, exactly how you are… as your most authentic self.
You started in commercials and feature films at a young age. How has your journey from childhood acting to now, shaped your approach to roles?
I think starting in this industry from a young age has given me the confidence when approaching new roles. Confidence comes with doing, and so with the many years of experience I’ve had on sets, I have gained more confidence in my work when it comes to my approach with roles. When developing a character when I was younger, I was not necessarily drawing from personal experiences to deepen my connection with the characters that I played, I simply used my imagination. This is something that adults strive to get back to. Since being in the industry from a young age, when I approach new roles, I am reminded to lead with curiosity and imagination.
Your role in ABC’s ‘Itch’ involved stunts like Tae Kwon Do and BMX riding. Did that physical experience influence how you approach acting, especially in emotionally demanding roles?
Yes, absolutely! I love doing the physical stunts myself, because it really does make a difference and impact the acting. It makes the scenes feel more guttural and more instinctive when you are performing the physicality, as it also changes the way the character moves. It feels more authentic and of course it feels even more believable as the actor when you, for example, move from a Tae Kwon Do sequence right into a heavy conversation. For emotionally demanding roles, I think it is so beneficial, because the physicality of a stunt can help create the wave of emotions needed for the scene.
You’ve worked in film, television, and even motion capture for video games like Diablo IV & V. How does performing in a video game differ from traditional acting?
Working in Diablo IV & V was such an incredible experience! Man, It was so cool. Working in the video game world is such a dream come true. So, yes, it is slightly different from film & TV. Once you get into your motion capture outfit (with all the dots on it), we head out to the stage area. There are cameras set up in all four corners of the stage, and after the briefing from the director, we watch the mock-up scene and hear the voice over. We then act out the scene, mouthing the words to match the voice over. The acting is slightly different because it’s a bit of a blend between film & TV and theatre. Our movements need to be slightly larger so that the wide cameras can pick it up, but we also have a camera move in on our close ups, so the acting needs to feel intimate, and believable for the camera.
What types of roles or stories are you most drawn to, and is there a dream project or collaboration on your bucket list?
There are so many amazing stories out there, in all genres, and I would be so grateful to work on projects that showcase characters who are complex, multi-dimensional, and real. I’m drawn to stories that explore the human experience, where characters face tough choices or transformative journeys. I would love to work in the Marvel Universe. Just the thought of being part of such an iconic franchise is a dream! I am really drawn to action packed adventures like Mad Max or James Bond, or gritty, grounded dramas like Yellowstone (I am obsessed with cowboy culture, so bringing to life a character in that world would be such a dream). My dream project would also be to work opposite Denzel Washington. He is such an incredible actor, and it would be such an honor to work alongside him.
With “A Girl Like Him” set to premiere on Prime Video and VOD, what do you hope audiences take away from the film after watching it?
My hope is that viewers can relate to one of the characters in the film ‘A Girl Like Him’. My hope is that this film encourages us to remember that we are all the same, no matter what our skin colour, beliefs, ideologies are, or how we choose to express ourselves. Society so often labels and judges
from a distance, but it’s only by truly understanding someone that the walls between us come down. I hope this film encourages viewers to reflect on the consequences of being harsh and judgmental, and refusing to support or accept others. I hope that this film sparks conversations, so that the next time someone encounters someone they don’t understand, they choose love over judgment and hate. I hope this film also reminds people that they are not alone and empowers them to embrace who they truly are.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
Socials: @neillfrazer
