Interview: Actress Skylar Dunn

Skylar Dunn is making a great debut into show business.

The 10-year-old actress comes from a small town on the Connecticut shoreline, and dazzled teen and tween audiences this year with her performance as Young Charity in the film The Greatest Showman.

The film was Skylar’s feature film acting debut, after co-star appearances on TV shows like Orange is the New Black, Odd Mom Out, and Sesame Street. Skylar auditions regularly and is excited about whatever the future holds for her acting career, but she also enjoys attending public school, spending time with her friends, and participating in every and any sport and activity that exists.

Everly Mag talked to Skylar about acting, The Greatest Showman, who inspires her, and more!

Everly Mag: How did you get your start in acting?

Skylar: I started acting when I was 5 and I did a Doritos commercial. It was so fun [and] I told my mom I wanted to keep doing it. I was really good at memorizing lines. My first film was a short, and it was a horror film, and I was like, “Wow, I am not even scared to play this part.” It was fun [pretending] to be a different person and I wanted to keep doing more.

Everly Mag: Who are the actors and performers that inspire you?

Skylar: I love Zendaya. I have always watched her, from when she was on Shake it Up and KC Undercover. She is so talented and a really strong woman and role mode. I was so impressed [that] she did all her own trapeze stunts in The Greatest Showman, and she was also a great actor. She never let her fame get to her. She’s just a great person and her fashion is amazing.

I am also inspired by Grace VanderWaal. She started her career in a contest on TV [America’s Got Talent] which is just so cool. She has such a different, but beautiful, voice, and writes all her own music and her lyrics are so powerful. I love to listen to her and play her songs on my guitar. She inspired me a lot with my music and I think she is so genuine.

Everly Mag: What are your favorite movies and TV shows?

Skylar: I am obsessed with Fuller House and I love Max and Fernando. I really love to watch shows on Netflix. That’s how I usually relax! Favorite movies are tough. Of course, The Greatest Showman. I also really like High Strung on Netflix, the dancer and violin player were phenomenal. I just saw I Feel Pretty, and Amy Schumer is so funny. Oh, I saw Midnight Sun with Bella Thorne when I was in LA for the Kids Choice Awards. It was really sad, but really good. Sandlot is another favorite. There are just so many!

Everly Mag: What are your favorite things about acting?

Skylar: I just love to take on the challenge of trying to be a character who is nothing like me. It’s really fun and it helps me understand how different people can be. I am really good at crying parts. I know people find that weird, but I really like a role where I can cry hysterically and show all my emotions, because I am pretty good at it.

Everly Mag: What are the hardest things about acting?

Skylar: One of the hardest things is when you are filming a project and it’s over. It’s really hard and sad, because you work so hard to get there and have so much fun, and then you have to say goodbye to people who feel like your new friends and family.

Another of the hardest things for me is laughing on the spot. It’s easier for me to cry. For The Greatest Showman, I had to do so many laughs. It was hard to do it and sound normal, especially [with] a really long hysterical laugh. I was pretty bad at that!

Everly Mag: What was it like acting in The Greatest Showman?

Skylar: It was amazing, and exhilarating, and exciting, and fun. The best part was probably being in a movie with the best cast in the world. I loved everyone so much. The hardest part was probably filming in the freezing cold.

Everly Mag: What’s your favorite thing about the film?

Skylar: Definitely all the songs.

Everly Mag: What do you hope to accomplish in your future career?

Skylar: I want to attend Yale School of Drama because I know a lot of great actors went there. I want to have a really long acting career, but I can also see myself as a lawyer.

Everly Mag: What advice would you give to young aspiring actors?

Skylar: Start [by] doing plays and shows and taking some acting classes to see if you like [acting] and performing in front of people. Also, don’t worry and stress about auditions, because the right role is going to come for you. I used to get nervous going to meet casting directors in person, but they are all actually really nice and want you to do well. The casting agent on The Greatest Showman made me feel so comfortable. We really connected, and I think it helped me get the role. They like to smile at you and want you to be relaxed.

Everly Mag: Tell us a fun fact about you that might surprise our readers.

Skylar: I used to want to be the first female to play in the NFL!

Find Skylar Dunn on YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram.

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Feature Image Credit: YVPR Photography