IN CONVERSATION WITH JOHNNY SEQUOYAH

interview by JANA LETONJA

Johnny Sequoyah is entering a bold new chapter as a rising force in genre storytelling. Best known for her early breakout in J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Believe’ and her recent turn in ‘Dexter: New Blood’, she now stars opposite Academy Award winner Troy Kotsur in Paramount’s upcoming survival-horror film ‘Primate’. Set against the sunlit danger of a summer pool party gone wrong, the film places Johnny at the emotional center of a terrifying fight for survival, cementing her reputation as an actor unafraid to explore intensity, vulnerability, and transformation on screen.

dress ZULEYHA KURU
earrings VALENTINO
bracelet THE ARCHIVE X YANA
boots BALENCIAGA

What first drew you to ‘Primate’, and what about Lucy’s journey made you want to step into this story?

What first drew me to Lucy was this idea of the thing she loves most turning against her. I think there is something in that people can connect to, whether or not you actually have a pet chimp.

I’ve always been drawn to the horror genre, especially because I had never done it before. Horror is liberating. You get to play multiple genres within a single story, and push yourself physically and emotionally in a way most genres don’t require. 

I also had never seen or read anything like this before. The script kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It was like being on a never-ending rollercoaster, which is what it feels like watching it too. 

The film takes place largely in a confined space, a pool turned survival zone. How did that physical setting affect your performance?

None of us knew what to expect with the pool scenes, especially because it was three-weeks straight of filming in the water every day. It was very physically demanding, which honestly worked for what our characters were going through. Despite that, we made sure to have fun with it. Most of the time in between scenes, we’d be acting like kids in a pool, swimming laps and playing silly water games. When we wrapped the movie, the whole cast cannonballed in the pool. It felt like the proper way to say goodbye and celebrate. 

coat HEURUJH
top and shorts ALESSANDRA RICH
shoes LUBELLO FIRENZE
leggings ANIYE RECORDS

Horror often relies on fear, but also empathy. How did you approach grounding Lucy emotionally amid the chaos?

I always felt strongly Lucy couldn’t stop caring about Ben, her empathy for him really drives her as a character. She never stops caring for him, even after the most grotesque things, she remains hopeful he will come back, until she no longer can. I think this is something audiences can empathize with, the horror of loving something or someone who has turned against you. 

coat ROWEN ROSE
leggings ANIYE RECORDS

What was the most challenging or unexpected moment you faced while filming such an intense survival story?

I had never done horror before, and our first week of filming was a particularly intense scene, which really set the bar for how far you have to go both physically and emotionally for horror. It was quite liberating. I didn’t even know I was capable of being so terrified. Our producer, Walter gave the cast a great piece of advice before we started filming. He said “The audience will only ever be as scared as you are, so you have to be terrified,” which really set the tone for what was expected of us. 

set AKNVAS
tights FALKE
shoes MAGDA BUTRYM

 ‘Primate’ is highly physical and reactive. How did you prepare mentally and physically for the role?

I started my preparation by studying Chimpanzees. I watched as many documentaries and movies as I could, and read a lot of Jane Goodall. Then I was fortunate to have about a month of intensive ASL lessons and stunt training, which prepared me for the more physical and linguistic parts of the film. It was the coolest opportunity, being able to learn a new language and the art form of stunts. And of course, I now have the party trick of knowing lots of random Chimp facts. 

You began your career leading a network series created by J.J. Abrams and Alfonso Cuarón. How did starting at that level shape your understanding of the industry?

Starting acting at a young age shapes you in a lot of ways, both professionally and personally. You are forced to grow thick skin, which has given me a sort of superpower in both the industry and in life. I was lucky to get my start on a set that really gave me the confidence to believe in myself as a storyteller. Even though I was young, the filmmakers and cast didn’t treat me any differently, I felt like their equal. Having experiences like that at such an informative age gave me confidence as a young actor, which I still carry with me today.

jacket and shorts ENTIRE STUDIO
tights DRIES VAN NOTEN
shoes JIMMY CHOO

From ‘Believe’ to ‘Dexter: New Blood’ to ‘Primate’, your roles have evolved significantly. How do you feel your craft has changed?

My craft has changed as I have grown. I feel myself blossoming as an artist with each role I get to play. When I’m not on set, I’m in class or doing something creative, otherwise I’d likely lose my mind. I think the industry can make us feel like if we aren’t working professionally, we aren’t actors or something, but I don’t think that is true. If you are dedicated to learning and studying acting as the craft it is, you are an actor. As I’ve gotten older, this is something I’ve come to really believe in, and take more serious, now my dedication to learning is what inspires me most.

dress JEAN PAUL GAULTIER
shoes JIMMY CHOO
necklace ALEXIS BITTAR

How do you handle the vulnerability that comes with leading a film, especially one that asks so much emotionally?

I thought a lot about my younger self on ‘Believe’ when stepping into ‘Primate’ and the responsibilities that come with being #1. As the lead, you set the tone for the entire set, for the cast and the crew, and I took that responsibility seriously. In many ways, I felt like Lucy, always checking in and making sure everyone was okay, especially during the more intense scenes. I truly believe the best sets are the ones led with kindness. 

full look AKNVAS
shoes D’ACCORI
socks WALES BONNER
earrings VALENTINO

What kinds of characters or stories are you most excited to explore next as your career continues to grow?

What really excites me are stories that challenge me, spark my curiosity, and even scare me. 

When I first read ‘Primate’, all I could think was “Wow, I get to do all of this?” I hope to continue feeling that way about characters I get to play.

full look DOLCE GABBANA
earrings DOLCE GABBANA from THE ARCHIVE X YANA

At this moment in your journey, what feels most important to you as an artist?

As an artist, I feel it’s important to continue seeing stories we haven’t seen before, and to create my own. I feel passionate about seeing more stories from my generation being told by us. There’s so much change happening in the world and in this industry, and I want to see young filmmakers’ voices rise in ways we have yet to see, that the world is ready to.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent JOHNNY SEQUOYAH
photography DAVID HIGGS at Exclusive Artists
styling SÉBASTIEN HOHL at the Only Agency
makeup ADAM BREUCHAUD at Forward Artists
hair CHRISTIAN MARC at Forward Artists
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial direction and interview JANA LETONJA