Sofia Vassilieva returns to the screen in John Lee Hancock’s crime thriller_The Little Things._ After winning a Young Artists Award for her work as the leukemia-stricken daughter in 2009’s _My Sister’s Keeper_ opposite Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vassilieva graduated from Columbia University and revitalized her career as an adult actress.
She made her streaming debut in 2019 in Hulu’s well-received limited series _Looking for Alaska_. Vassilieva plays Tina Salvatore in the neo-noir psychological crime thriller that follows the cat and mouse game between a serial killer and the detectives trying to stop him before his next murder starring alongside Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, and Jared Leto.
Read _Flaunt_’s conversation with Vassilieva about taking a step back for school, her dream role, and more!
Photo by Bret Lemke
**Do you think taking a step back to go to school gave you a new perspective as an adult actress?**
I come from a family of academics—my mom a professor of evolutionary biology, my dad a professor of astrophysics—so being in a university setting when I studied at Columbia in NYC was very much a continuation of my upbringing, it felt familiar and safe.
What I did gain in college was a very clear understanding that something fulfilling in my life was missing. At my core, I missed making movies and that realization brought greater gratitude. It’s a gift to know what you love and to be able to do it.
Since I graduated, my experiences on set have solely been about the work. I’m no longer confronted with child labor laws that force me to wrap before we finish, nor am I pulled away at every opportunity for 20 min blocks with my beloved studio teachers—who I must note, were my protectors, defenders and champions.
I’m now even more wide-eyed, marveling at the magic of a film set.
**Was there anything specific about _The Little Things_ that drew you to the project?**
In many 90s films of a similar genre, the woman is the victim. What was so exciting about _The Little Things_ was to see Tina Salvatore become the hero of her own story. Her survival instincts, her mental state in coping with trauma and the courage to seek closure were so fascinating to me because they were like little clues that built up this character, who at heart is zestful for adventure and unafraid to dream.
Also, to work alongside such talents - Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto, helmed by John Lee Hancock and produced by Mark Johnson (who I was thrilled to be working with again after My Sister’s Keeper) - was a joy. The talent on this project is boundless. John Schwartzman, our exceptional cinematographer, was so kind and excited about what was being captured and what we were creating. Daniel Orlandi, our most brilliant costume designer, was so nurturing of characters. He works with such immense care for both actor and character needs, physically and mentally. It’s always magical in the creation process when you get that first “ah, there you are” moment with your character, and in this experience that was very much because of Daniel and his team.
**_Looking for Alaska_ and _The Little Things_ are not the most light-hearted projects. What's enticing about roles like those?**
**I**’m attracted to all sorts of characters, at the moment, they just happen to be in projects that are considered more dramatic. Tina in _The Little Things_ is actually a lighthearted person who is presented with dark circumstance. Lara in _Looking for Alaska_ is very much part of the levity and humor in the story’s exploration of being a teenager. Fun fact, I started my career in comedy and am so eager to return. Humor is a catharsis. I think sometimes we are so cautious, so serious, that we forget to be silly.
**What is your dream role?**
I want to play a dancer. I was a classically trained ballerina growing up and I still regularly dance. It is a native form of expression for me and I very much want to tell a story on screen and with dance.
Truth be told, I have always been terrified of saying what I want. But if we don’t, how will we ever have a shot at our dreams coming true. These days I choose to say it out loud. Own it. Give the world a chance to rise up and meet you.
**What have you learned over the past year?**
Many lessons…pandemics are hard! Most importantly, we have control over our energy. What I put out into the world can affect someone else. We can make somebody feel seen with a smile and appreciated with a thank you. We can remind those around us just how loved they are. Even if I feel like hiding away from the day, I can make the effort to put my focus on others and the day always becomes richer, brighter and more lived.
Beyond that, celebrate _everything_—every win, every good moment, every holiday even if you’ve never celebrated it before, even if it feels different during these times. Sometimes it feels silly, sometimes it may feel like the harder choice, but it’s always worth it. At this point I even celebrate my mom’s orchids re-blooming.
**Is there anything you are looking forward to in this chapter of your acting career?**
I look forward to creating, developing, and telling authentic, diverse stories and being part of a creative force of resilient and innovative voices that are being heard. I look forward to celebrating my colleagues. For me, in particular, I am eager to tell courageous immigrant stories, like that of my own family, that have been, and continue to be, a tremendous part of this country’s heritage. We are living through such an extraordinary moment in history that I look forward to telling stories of today and continuing my own ever-evolving relationship with these exceptional times and the world in which we live.
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