IN CONVERSATION WITH MAYA DA COSTA

interview by JANA LETONJA

Maya da Costa is on the brink of a breakout moment as the lead in Girls Like Girls, arriving in theaters on 19th June. Based on Hayley Kiyoko’s beloved song and bestselling novel, the film is a heartfelt coming-of-age story that captures the intensity of first love, identity, and growing up. As Coley, a new girl navigating unfamiliar emotions and her place in the world, Maya delivers a deeply relatable and emotionally raw performance, brought to life through her natural chemistry with co-star Myra Molloy. Blending early-2000s nostalgia with a modern perspective, Girls Like Girls is poised to resonate with a new generation, and Maya is right at the center of it.

Girls Like Girls is such an emotional and nostalgic story. What drew you to the role of Coley?

Honestly, she just clicked with me. I sent in my first take of my audition because when I put Coley “on”, it felt really natural. I was at a very similar age as her and could relate to how all consuming, magical but also volatile experiencing first love can be, while also finding yourself.

How did you prepare to portray the intensity of first love and those “big emotional” moments?

This is going to sound so random, but sometimes when I had a scene that was really emotional, I would hug someone beforehand and then I could drop in quickly. It was different people too, sometimes Hayley, Myra, our lovely associate producer Marla Vazquez or our phenomenal on set acting coach Ingrid Shaw. I wasn’t able to put my finger on it back then because it was all so new to me and I was just following an instinct, but I think I can now. It has something to do with letting the part of Coley that’s in me feel embraced and open enough for me to go to where I needed to go. I was aware of how much this story means to so many people and it was my duty to deliver as much as I possibly could, so I kept those stakes really high and did what I needed to do.

What was your first memory of Hayley Kiyoko’s original song or music video?

It was right when I got the audition. I surprisingly had never heard of it growing up. To be honest, I probably did see the video in my suggestions on YouTube when it was first released, but got gay panic and scrolled really quick. 

The chemistry between you and Myra Molloy feels very natural. How did you build that connection?

Well, Myra is the most lovely, beautiful and charming person ever so that is the main thing. She is just so full of natural levity that it felt easy for us to play in the lighter moments and also feel safe to experience those hard moments together.

What was the most challenging scene for you to film emotionally?

There is one scene where I see Sonya and Trenton kissing, and I remember I had this block and it wasn’t clicking. We were running out of time and I felt so bad because we kept on doing take after take because it just wasn’t right and I was stuck feeling defeated. Hayley then said some kind words to me about trusting myself and it finally clicked. I did the take and it was exactly what they needed, and as soon as they yelled cut, I just started sobbing my eyes out because it felt like I finally had that release. Even though it’s not the most challenging scene on paper, it was the hardest for me as a new actor. I definitely experienced the want to get it right but not knowing the tools yet.

How does this film capture the feeling of being young and figuring yourself out?

The fact that there are those beautiful moments where everything seems sun-kissed and a dream, and then all of the sudden something devastating happens and it looks really ugly for a bit but then it comes back. Then it goes again, then it comes back. The film captures that messy ebb and flow.

Why do you think this story still resonates so strongly with audiences today?

The story is timeless. It talks about something someone out there will always resonate with, the perseverance it takes to come into yourself and the bravery it takes to own it.

How has this role shaped you as an actor?

It has taught me so much about trusting myself enough to let go. I can do all the prep I want, try to stay in character as much as I can, but if I don’t have confidence to be in the moment, then it doesn’t matter.

What can you share about your upcoming role in The Social Reckoning with Aaron Sorkin?

Short and sweet. I have a small role in it, but it was honestly incredibly valuable. Aaron is so specific, and I really enjoyed working with him because it taught me a lot about simplicity and serving the story for what it is.

What kinds of stories are you most excited to tell moving forward?

I’m excited to tell more stories that invoke people to feel seen, laughter, fear, literally anything and everything.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography KAITLYN MIKAYALA
styling JESSICA PASTER
hair ARBANA DOLLANI
makeup MARLA VAZQUEZ