IN CONVERSATION WITH RAINBOW WEDELL

interview by JANA LETONJA

Rainbow Wedell is currently starring as Claire Zomer in Paramount+’s hit supernatural drama School Spirits, bringing heart and complexity to the role of a former childhood friend navigating loyalty, mystery, and the afterlife alongside Peyton List and Milo Manheim. Born in Vanuatu and raised in Queensland, Australia, Rainbow’s path to acting was anything but conventional — from homeschooling and early university acceptance to being discovered in a modeling class and landing her first role in Terra Nova. With a global upbringing rooted in activism, a passion for fashion design, and a growing presence on screen, Wedell is emerging as one of her generation’s most dynamic young talents.

School Spirits has become such a fan favorite. What initially drew you to the role of Claire Zomer?

What initially drew me to ‘School Spirits’ was how it balances serious themes with a gripping mystery. The show explores grief, friendship, and addiction in a really honest, layered way. And I love mystery stories and plot twists, so the fact that this series is full of them made it even more exciting. 

Claire stood out to me because she’s not just another stereotypical cheerleader. She’s complex, flawed, loyal, and trying to hold it all together. That emotional depth makes her such a fun and fulfilling character to play.

Season three has just premiered. What do you think makes School Spirits resonate so strongly with audiences?

I think what makes School Spirits resonate so strongly is that, beneath the mystery and twists, it’s really about very human experiences. Everyone understands grief, feeling stuck, wanting closure, or trying to figure out who they are. The show explores those emotions in a heightened but relatable way. 

It also doesn’t underestimate its audience. The plot is layered, the mysteries keep you guessing, and the characters are complex and flawed. 

Claire exists in a world where loyalty, secrets, and the supernatural collide. How do you ground such heightened circumstances emotionally?

For Claire, she lives in a world with ghosts and complicated relationships. However, her emotional stakes are very real. She's dealing with guilt, fear, new friendships, and hardships at home. Those are things we can all understand.

You were born in Vanuatu and grew up in Queensland, homeschooling and entering university at just 16. How did that unconventional upbringing shape you?

Between growing up traveling, doing distance education, and starting university at 16, I grew up quickly, but in the best way. Distance learning really encouraged self-discipline and creativity. I had the space to read, imagine, and explore ideas deeply.

Being surrounded by people from many different cultures and walks of life also shaped me significantly. I learned early on that there isn’t just one “normal.” There are different languages, traditions, values, communication styles, and ways of seeing the world. That perspective gave me adaptability, curiosity, and the confidence to step into new environments and trust myself.

Acting wasn’t originally the plan, you were discovered during a modeling class. Do you remember the moment you realized this was what you wanted to pursue?

I think I was about 10 when everything clicked. I was asked to be a background actor on the sci-fi drama series Terra Nova, and it was honestly one of the best days of my life. I remember walking onto set and feeling the energy. It was electric.

There was this sense of family and collaboration that I’d never experienced before. Even as a kid, I could feel how special it was that so many people were coming together to tell a story. From that day on, I just knew. 

Having worked on projects like The Wilds and various short films, what kinds of stories are you most drawn to today?

I want to do it all. I’d love to be an action hero, or villain, one day. Something physical and bold with lots of stunts. And I’m always drawn to stories with a strong mystery or psychological edge.

But at my core, I’m most pulled toward character-driven stories with real emotional depth. Anything that explores complex relationships and isn't afraid to step into uncomfortable spaces. The roles that excite me most are layered characters who are flawed, and navigating genuine emotional stakes.

You spent much of your childhood traveling with your grandparents doing charity and missionary work. How has that global perspective influenced your life and career?

Growing up, I was immersed in charity work alongside my mother and grandparents. My grandfather was a builder, and he would travel to different countries building whatever the community needed, like hospitals, schools, libraries, and I was lucky enough to travel with them.

Being exposed to so many different communities at a young age gave me a real sense of perspective. It shaped the way I see the world and deepened my curiosity about people. I absorbed so much from different cultures, learning through stories and seeing how others lived.

You’re passionate about improving educational and healthcare infrastructure in underserved communities. How do you hope to use your platform to create tangible change?

I really want to continue my grandfather’s philanthropy work. As my platform grows, I hope to use it intentionally, not just to raise awareness, but also to support organizations doing real, on-the-ground work. I want to help fund tangible projects and partner with initiatives that create sustainable change. I want my involvement to be practical and measurable. For me, it’s about creating lasting impact, not just conversation.

You’re also an advocate for mental health awareness, particularly within the entertainment industry. Why is that cause so personal to you?

Mental health is deeply personal to me because I’ve seen how much pressure exists within this industry. The uncertainty, the comparison, the constant highs and lows. It’s a beautiful career, but it can also be emotionally demanding.

I think there’s still a stigma around admitting when you’re struggling, especially in the entertainment industry where everyone is expected to seem confident and resilient all the time. I care about creating space for more honest conversations, where vulnerability isn’t seen as weakness but as strength.

Outside of acting, you have a strong interest in fashion design. How does creating your own clothing reflect your personality?

I love to make my own clothes so I can add a bit of myself into each piece and design for my body. I believe clothes are meant to fit you, not the other way around.

Do you see fashion as another form of storytelling?

Clothes are a form of storytelling for me. With acting, I step into someone else's world, but with fashion it's much more personal. Fashion lets me express different sides of myself without saying a word.

As you step further into your career, what kind of legacy do you hope to build, both as an actress and as a person?

I just want to be a light in the world. I hope that someone experiences kindness from me and feels inspired to pass that on. As an actress, I want to tell stories that matter. Stories that make people feel seen and understood. And as a person, I just want to love deeply, feel everything, and move through life with empathy.

TEAM CREDITS

talent RAINBOW WEDELL
photography SARAH KRICK at EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS
makeup KIMORA MULAN at OPUS BEAUTY
styling ORETTA CORBELLI at HONEY ARTISTS
interview JANA LETONJA