interview by JANA LETONJA

Award-winning actor, singer, and producer Sofia Carson has gained global recognition for her role in the Netflix phenomenon ‘Purple Hearts’, on which she also served as Executive Producer and co-wrote and performed the film's original soundtrack. Most recently, she starred in Netflix’s ‘Cary-On’ and ‘The Life List’. Next, she stars in and executive produces the romantic drama ‘My Oxford Year’, premiering on Netflix on 1st August. In her music career, Sofia is a multi-platinum, award-winning songwriter and singer, and has recently joined legendary tenor Andrea Bocelli on his latest album ‘Duets – 30th Anniversary’. As a UNICEF Ambassador, Sofia has also dedicated her voice to engaging youth across the world to relentlessly pursue an equitable world for every child through the undeniable power of education.

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You’ve had incredible success with Netflix hits like ‘Purple Hearts’, ‘Carry-On’, and ‘The Life List’. How do you approach balancing acting with your roles as an executive producer and songwriter on these projects?

I think all of those roles that I take on are a part of the storytelling that comes with filmmaking and with being an artist that I love so much. ‘Purple Hearts’ was my first time stepping into a role of executive producer, as well as songwriter of the soundtrack and actor. I enjoyed being able to be a decision maker behind the scenes in terms of the world building that is required when making a film. I loved every second of it. And oftentimes I feel that it brings me closer to my characters, wearing all of these different hats, because you're so deeply and thoroughly involved in the project for so many years before the cameras start rolling that I think it becomes a more intimate experience. But at the same time, balancing being a producer and an actor can be a tricky thing because sometimes to be an actor, you have to be able to let go of everything and just lose yourself in emotion in the moments, in the spontaneity and all of that. And then to be a producer, you have to become much more objective. It's a very interesting balance, especially when it comes to the post-production part of a project. To be a producer, you have to be able to separate from yourself as an actor, and that can be a tricky balance, but it's a very interesting position to be in.

As a co-writer and performer of the ‘Purple Hearts’ soundtrack, how did it feel when the soundtrack made history as one of Netflix’s most streamed soundtracks of all time?

I actually think that it is the most streamed soundtrack in Netflix's history, which is unbelievable. I remember when the article came out with the news, I was in New York getting ready to perform at Central Park, and I was just so moved and it was so beautifully validating. As an artist, you spend your entire life making art and your entire life working for moments like this. I poured my entire heart into every part of this film, into every melody, into every song lyric. And to know that it made such an impact on the world was such a beautiful and validating and overwhelmingly rewarding experience. I'm forever grateful to what ‘Purple Hearts’ gifted me.

Having two films on Netflix’s Most Popular Movies of All Time list is extraordinary. How has this kind of global reach influenced the way you choose your future projects?

It's interesting. What happened with ‘Descendants’, which was my very first project that became one of, if not the most successful franchise in Disney Channel history, my mom describes as lightning in a bottle. And then with ‘Purple Hearts’, we captured lightning in a bottle again. And she would always say how rare it is to capture lightning in a bottle twice in your lifetime. And then for it to happen three to four times has been the most extraordinary experience. The word that comes to mind is just profound gratitude.

But I would be lying if I said it doesn't add an immense amount of pressure to me when it comes to my decision making, because there's now a certain level of expectation from the eyes of the world. I think more than anything, I put that on myself as a born perfectionist. But also, to be an artist is a very sensitive thing, it's a very emotional thing. The one thing that I have to constantly remind myself of when it comes to making these next decisions is that if I make these decisions solely with the purpose of aiming for reaching the same amount of success, I'm setting myself up for failure. That's not what we do as artists. Our goal is to create art that is meaningful to us, that is honest and real and raw and true. And that has to be my only compass when it comes to making these decisions. And I think I have now kind of grounded myself in that. But it is both incredibly exciting and scary.

‘My Oxford Year’ marks another step into executive producing. What inspired you to take on this role, and how does it differ creatively from acting?

Producing is both a creative and also a business role, so it sometimes requires a very different muscle. When it comes to stepping outside of a project, objectively looking in, it is a very creative muscle because it is a part of the world building and storytelling. You're a part of decisions from the very beginning, from the very birth of a project to developing of the script, developing of the characters, to the casting process. Once I'm shooting the movie, I kind of step into my acting role solely so I can focus on the storytelling just as an actor. But then when the film is all done and I put my producer hat back on, I'm involved in the editing and the post-production, in the marketing of the film and so on and so forth. I really enjoy the role, I receive a lot of fulfillment from it, I learn a lot from it. And more than anything, I'm so appreciative of partners like Netflix or Temple Hill, who produced ‘Twilight’ and ‘The Fault In Our Stars’, and who is my partner in this film, for trusting me and my voice and my instincts in this position and in this role. And to be treated like a true partner is just really exciting and really gratifying.

What can the fans expect from ‘My Oxford Year’ when it premieres, and what makes this film stand out to you?

I've always been drawn to love in my art, whether it's in music or in films. I've always loved a love story. And this love story in particular is really profound and it really changes you, I believe. And Jamie's love is the kind of love that I think reaffirms that life is too short to not live it fully, to not live it in complete and utter fulfilment, to not live it in joy and to not live it in love. I hope that fans not only fall in love with their love story, but they also feel changed after watching this film.

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Your music career is just as impressive, with collaborations including Andrea Bocelli and BTS’s Jimin. How do you decide which musical projects to pursue alongside your acting career?

I have had the privilege of a lifetime to collaborate with some of the most extraordinary artists of our time. Singing and making music with Andrea Bocelli was a dream of mine for as long as I could remember. He's factually one of the greatest voices of all time. Collaborating with Diane Warren, one of the most legendary songwriters in history, and then collaborating with Jimin who is one of the voices of the biggest K-pop band in the world, has been such an immense privilege.

I think what I've used as my compass in every aspect of my career, including in music, is that what's most important to me is to align myself with artists and to release music that is true with who I am in my heart, and with art that speaks to my heart. And that has kind of been our goal in every step of the way, which has been exciting because it has also allowed for a big range of collaborations, whether it's more classical music with Andrea or K-pop with Jimin. But all of those colors of music have lived inside of me as an artist, as a dancer, as a musician, as a songwriter, so it's exciting to be able to explore my full range in that way. It's been a really beautiful journey and I'm looking forward to the next steps as well.

Your Oscar-nominated song ‘Applause’ was written by Diane Warren. What was it like working with such a legendary songwriter?

It was one of the greatest honors of my life. Diane Warren is a force like none other, and I just adored every single second of my journey with her. To be on that Oscar stage with an Oscar nominated song, standing next to Diane Warren and simultaneously applauding the women of the world, which is something that I have so proudly grounded my career in being an advocate for, has been the most beautiful moment of my career, and something that surpassed even my wildest dreams. And I dreamt really big dreams when I was young. But there was something about being nominated for an Academy Award that surpassed that. It was beautiful, it was precious, and I will carry it in my heart for the rest of my life.

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hat BORSALINO
shoes CASADEI

As a UNICEF Ambassador, you’ve advocated for education and women’s rights around the world. What personal experiences or moments have most impacted your commitment to these causes?

To be a UNICEF ambassador is the greatest role of my life, the greatest role that I will ever play, and the greatest honor of my life. I remember maybe 10 years ago, being in the very beginning of my career and having conversations with my mom about so desperately feeling the need to do more with my voice. And that is when my mom, who has always been my example of what it means to be an extraordinary woman, sat me down and seriously spoke to me about considering being a UNICEF ambassador. And ever since then, I've dedicated my voice to UNICEF and to the women of the world who are voiceless and whose rights have been stripped away from them. Especially today, when we are facing a humanitarian crisis, it is more pivotal than ever that I continue to use my voice with UNICEF.

I think one of the most impactful moments in my career with UNICEF was during my first field trip with them, where they traveled us to Brazil, to a small town outside of Recife. We visited a school where there were young women from the ages of like 15 to early twenties, and they very vulnerably shared their stories with us. There was a story that you wouldn't expect to hear from a young woman, talking about the impact of education on her life. These stories were stories of survival, about how education not only changed their life, not only gave them a future, but it physically saved their life. And that's when I understood that education, especially educating the young women of the world, is a matter of life and death. And education doesn't only change a life, it saves lives.

These schools, these four walls become their refuge. Their books and their textbooks become their passport to a future and escape from violence, and their pencils truly become their greatest weapons. I will never forget that moment. I feel teary-eyed just thinking about it. And then through every other instance with UNICEF since, whether it's speaking at Capitol Hill, advocating for the Keeping Girls in School Act, speaking at the United Nations, or traveling to Tanzania, it has always remained true that an education not only changes lives, it saves lives.

How do you see the role of artists and entertainers evolving in social justice and global advocacy?

I've always believed that as artists, we carry an inherent responsibility to use our voices. And for me, the answer was always very clear as to where my voice would be dedicated to. It was to the children of the world, to UNICEF, most especially to young women. Audrey Hepburn was kind of always my compass in that sense. She was not only one of the most beloved icons in film, but she dedicated her life to UNICEF. And I also believe that in a world where everything is so highly politicised, there are certain causes that go beyond politics, and they're about being humans, they're humanitarian causes. I think to advocate for saving a child's life shouldn't be a political act. It's a human one.

And we just received the unfathomable news that the Senate passed a bill that will cut UNICEF's funding by $142 million. Factually, because of this, millions of children will die. It is truly unfathomable how that can be politicized. So now more than ever, I think it is our duty as artists, as anyone who has the privilege of being a voice, to speak up and be loud.

With such a multi-faceted career spanning acting, music, and philanthropy, what drives you every day to keep evolving?

That's a great question. I think what drives me is that this is so much more than what I do. It's who I am, and I can't imagine living a day without it. It's the air that I breathe and it's the beating of my heart. And so it's impossible for me not to continue moving forward. I think also in my career, I have lived firsthand the fact that there's real power in art. There's real power in art to make an impact on either just one girl, on one person, or on millions of people. And I think that power and that responsibility is something that I take very seriously and fuels every decision that I make, every step of the way.

How to you recharge and unwind amidst your very busy schedule?

I am a workaholic. I love working and I thrive when I'm very busy, and I don't love not being busy. However, like everything in life, it requires balance. And I think especially in the last couple of years, what has become my medicine and essential to me in my busiest times and in my calmest times is moving my body. I think everything moves through me. Stress, anxiety, emotions, I can think more clearly, and it has become like my form of therapy. Also, continuing to prioritize my family and friendships in the middle of everything has become really important to me because a life lived in solitude isn't really a life. When they're shared with the people that I love more than anything, it’s really when all of these moments become so special. And so living life with the people that I love by my side has become so special and so important to me, and essential.

After ‘My Oxford Year’ comes out, what can fans expect next from you?

What can I say? I have been developing projects that we are actively working on and bringing to life. It has been an interesting phase of curation and of discovery and patience in terms of what is the right thing for me to do next and what to pour my heart into next. I have also been working on music, so I guess fans can expect both film and music from me.

More than anything, I just want to continue to make the art that I'm proud of, continue to tell the stories of extraordinary women, and elevating the cause of women around the world. In a world where it feels like we're living an endless night, I think it is important to make art that brings joy.

TEAM CREDITS:

talent SOFIA CARSON
photography CLAN GELATI
styling MARCO DE LUCIA
hair ELISA RAMPI
makeup CLAUDIA BETANCUR
production SCENARIO PR
executive producer CRISTIANO SPELTA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
interview JANA LETONJA
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN

IN CONVERSATION WITH SOFIA CARSON

IN CONVERSATION WITH CORBYN BESSON