Exclusive Interview with Two-Time Daytime Emmy Nominated Actress Sydney Mikayla

featuring @officialsydneymikayla

1. Hi Sydney, welcome to OLC! Now you earned two Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Younger Performer for your portrayal of Trina Robinson on General Hospital. What aspects of Trina’s character resonated most deeply with you?

I believe the aspects of Trina’s character that resonated with me were her honesty and compassion for her friends and family. Trina always told it like it was, and her genuineness is what really allowed me and others around the world to connect with her. She reminded all of us that love isn’t just about being a good friend or daughter; it’s about allowing the truth to set you free.

2. Trina became a true fan-favorite during your time on the show. Looking back, what was the most challenging or rewarding part of joining such a long-running soap opera, and how did it shape you as an actress?

The most challenging part of playing Trina was the copious amount of dialogue I had to learn, but it was a challenge I enjoyed taking on. Learning 50–80 pages a day, new blocking, and having 1–2 takes for each scene may seem difficult, but every time I did it, especially with such an incredible cast and crew, felt like a win. That incredibly rewarding feeling of knowing we pulled off the impossible every day left fans wanting more. It’s an adrenaline rush! 

3. You’re stepping into the lead role of Samantha in the upcoming thriller Crybaby Bridge, which you also produced. What drew you to this story about a bullied pregnant teen and her family’s move to the countryside, and how does it differ from the daytime drama world?

I’m incredibly grateful to Sarah and the entire Cardinal Flix team for the opportunity to star in and produce this feature film. As an actress, Sam is a deeply layered character to explore; she’s adopted, pregnant, and navigating both a dark past and an unsettling future. That complexity is exactly what drew me to her. It’s the kind of role I’ve been eager to dive into, and it also inspired me to step into a producing role to help ensure her story was told with authenticity and care.

4. As both star and producer on Crybaby Bridge, what new challenges and rewards did you discover in taking on a behind-the-scenes role? Did producing change how you approach acting in a project?

I think producing allows me to truly understand how much work and effort goes into every step of the pre- and post-production process. I marveled at how the executive producers, Brian and Sarah, stayed calm under pressure and were ready for change at any moment. Being malleable and staying calm under pressure really influenced my acting approach, especially when we had only 1–2 takes to execute some of the most vital scenes. Just an easygoing approach, being ready to work with and trust your team, makes an excellent actor, producer, and even artist.

5. Crybaby Bridge ventures into the horror/thriller genre with emotional layers and family secrets. How did you prepare for the intensity of the role, and what do you hope audiences take away from the film after watching it?

I prepared for the role by creating a character biography and a backstory for Samantha, exploring who she was, as well as researching the backgrounds of adopted children and those with interesting and complex family histories. I hope audiences take away the importance of honesty, especially with the people you love, and the true horror of breaking the trust of those who love you.

6. Your voice acting credits are impressive, including Wolf in Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts, Robby Malto in Transformers: EarthSpark, and Soleil in Fright Krewe, plus roles in Craig of the Creek, The Loud House, and more. How does voiceover work differ from on-camera acting, and which character felt most fun or challenging to bring to life?

I don’t prefer one type of acting over another because I believe that anytime I get to perform or express myself is a blessing. I think that on-camera acting allows me to express subtlety, whether it’s Trina or Sam or other roles; everything that needs to be said comes through a subtle facial expression or an eye movement. You have to learn to communicate without saying too much. However, with voice acting, it’s the opposite. You have to learn to communicate without anyone seeing your physical actions, so you must utilize other tools, whether it’s the pitch of your voice or how you begin or end a sentence or phrase. One of the characters I loved portraying was Andy from Invincible Fight Girl. Playing a wrestler who wanted nothing more than to inspire and achieve her dreams was very freeing. I hope everyone enjoyed watching her as much as I did bringing her to life.

7. You played a young Gabby Douglas in the Lifetime movie The Gabby Douglas Story alongside Regina King, which earned you a Young Artist Award. What was that experience like at a young age, and how did it impact your career trajectory?

Playing Gabby in the Gabby Douglas story really solidified my desire to be an actress full-time. I thoroughly enjoyed researching her life, learning her Junior Olympics routine, and living in Canada for a month. Working with Ms. Regina King was an absolute treasure and something I feel so blessed to have experienced at 10 years old. I genuinely hope to work with her again because it was such a meaningful experience.

8. You trained at the Amazing Grace Conservatory under Wendy Raquel Robinson and at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy in styles like contemporary ballet, contemporary, tap, and hip-hop. How has your dance background influenced your acting, particularly in terms of physicality, emotion, or discipline?

Ms. Wendy and Ms. Allen are both incredible and inspirational women to learn from. I basically grew up at Amazing Grace Conservatory, where I learned discipline as well as an appreciation for the craft. I learned to depend on myself, trust my choices and utilize the gifts I have to be the best performer I can be.

9. You had a notable role on Nickelodeon’s School of Rock and guest-starred on shows like Fuller House, Criminal Minds, Community, and Parenthood. Which early live-action role taught you the most about navigating the industry?

I believe playing Young Gabby in The Gabby Douglas Story taught me the most about navigating the industry. Working with Ms. Regina King, I learned that acting has a real sense of teamwork, and that you should give your best performance in each take, even if the camera isn’t always on you. I loved being part of the entire process, learning facts about Gabby’s history as well as building relationships with my castmates. The film was a turning point for me and truly where I solidified my desire to pursue this full time.

10. Many young actors face the challenge of transitioning from child/teen roles to more mature, complex parts. How have you approached that evolution in your career, from soaps and family shows to thrillers and animation?

I approach each role on a case-by-case basis, and I always make sure to make my requests known. Expressing what I want, whether I have the role or not, is really important to me. If someone can’t honor my boundaries, there is no need to be part of the project.

11. With your growing body of work across acting, producing, voiceover, and dance, what advice would you give to aspiring young performers—especially those balancing multiple creative passions?

I would suggest choosing one passion that fuels the others. For me, acting has always been my primary passion, so I use it to fuel all of my work. I use each body of work I do to express myself authentically and use that authenticity to fuel my performances.

12. As a verified Instagram presence and someone who’s been in the spotlight since a young age, how do you stay grounded amid the highs of Emmy nominations, fan love, and new projects like Crybaby Bridge? What keeps you motivated moving forward?

I believe what keeps me motivated is the hope that I will continue to pave a path for artists of color to feel the freedom to create in whatever way and format feels authentic to them. What keeps me grounded is the belief in the artists who surround me and continue to inspire me. I keep moving forward because I love what I do. I’m grateful for those who have opened doors for me, and I hope that I will be able to do the same.

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