Podcrushed - Saniyya Sidney

Episode Date: August 24, 2022

Saniyya Sidney (King Richard, Hidden Figures, Fences) takes a break from beating Will Smith in tennis and hanging out with Beyoncé to give the lowdown on what it’s like being a fifteen-year-old in 2022. She tells stories of her remarkable career and reminds us that being positive is a choice.Follow us on socials!InstagramTwitterTikTokSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lemonada I'm not clowning Mr. Will. I love him so very much. It would crack us up because we'd be on, like, the courts. We're going at it, and Will will try to pop in and, like, try to feed us the balls. And the balls would just fly on the fence. And we're just, like, we just couldn't keep us straight face. Because he'd be in the accent, and he'd be like, keep on your toes, you know.

Ooh, I'm like, catch you me, Ms. William? And I'm like, Mr. Will, like, the balls are not. You're definitely not going to catch me. No. And like, do you be like, does he know, like, hitting them in the neck?

Like, he's going to go anymore. This is podcrushed. The podcast that takes the sting out of rejection, one crushing middle school story at a time. And where guests share their teenage memories, both meaningful and mortifying. And we're your host. I'm Nava, a former middle school director.

I'm Sophie, a former fifth grade teacher. And I'm Penn, a middle school dropout. We're just three beehis who are living in Brooklyn. Wanting to make stuff together with a particular fondness for awkward nostalgia. Well, I struggle with nostalgia. I'm here for the therapy. So guys, this week, my sister is here visiting with her kids. And my sister pointed out that I talk about my dad a lot and that the only time I've talked about her was to say that I have unconditional love for my dad.

and that my sister and I have love for each other and that I said it in a way that sounds like we don't really have a good relationship. So I just want to say for the record that my sister and I love each other unconditionally and she's a really big part of my life even if I haven't talked about it. Someone commented on our TikTok video of you sharing that.

Nava, they were like, well, I wonder about her relationship with her sister's like. Oh, really? Yeah. Poor Jenna. So close. Yeah, Jenna and I are so close. My week, this week, has been pretty average. I tried painting. I consider myself an artiste, but I don't paint, and I tried painting.

We have these two really big canvases, and now they're up in our living room, and I hate them. I hate them both. That's not where I thought this was going. Yeah. I'm not a painter, but it was fun to experiment. I felt like a little kid. Yeah. But Penn, you out of all of us, have had the most eventful few weeks.

Can you tell us a little bit about directing? Yeah, it's like painting with people's hours. energy and time and their bodies and cameras it's a you know getting to talk to the actors it was quite like emotional and spiritual which wasn't surprising for me but i think that my co-stars enjoyed having me as a director because i would talk to them at i think at a very spiritual level at a very like heart and soul level you know i said to one actor like she she had to do a re i mean we all have to do such intense stuff on this show you know like the stakes are life and death often like very literally and in a very almost like grotesque way and right before we rolled i just

kind of quietly said call on your ancestors and she just had a really sweet smile and she was like thank you and i was like i mean that you know because because what she was having to conjure up was actually kind of ancestral stuff learning how to speak to everyone's heart not just their mind but their heart i think that's yeah i mean i from what i could tell the feedback was they were really appreciating that so pen has not told me anything about the season we've like he's he's under lock and key yeah but i'm just deducing that there are some like really big guests this season and that we are all gonna be thrilled yeah sure in for a ride okay and from the darkness into the light today's guest sinaias sidney is an actor you might know from films like fences hidden

figures most recently king richard where she played a young venus williams her to her Beyond Sinaya's talent, what is cool is that she's 15 years old. So, you know, I mean, apart from all her achievements, which are impressive at such a young age, she's our first, like, real kind of, like, she's not in middle school right now, but we talk about this period, you know, like 11, 14, 15, she just went through it. So we just got to talk to her in real time what it's like being a young person in 2022. She's brilliant, she's charming, I think you're going to love her. Stick around.

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Sinaya, there's so much we want to talk to you about. But right off the bat, we saw that you were in a music video with Beyonce opening the Oscars. Tell us everything about that. Well, I love Beyonce. And I was just like, okay, so I was on the way to AFI. And my manager and I were in the car and she got a voicemail. And she was like, oh, I wonder where this is from. She left the phone.

And she's like, hey. So you cannot tell anyone. It's very underwraps. But Beyonce would like you and Demi to be and the Be Alive Oscar performance. And I was like, no, no, no. I was like, you're serious? Like you're not, like you're not clowning me right now? She's like, Sonaya, I'm serious.

Why would I clown? And I'm like, oh my gosh. So I'm like, I was freaking out. And I'm, like, trying to, like, calm myself down. I want to tell everyone. I'm like, oh, my gosh. Our fitting, I would never forget this for the rest of my life. We got there, and it was a fitting, and it was very secret.

Like, it was on, like, the mass singer set. It was really cool. Wow. And, like, they were, like, rehearsing and doing all this stuff. And I was doing a fitting, and Demi and I were there. And then I was doing a hair test. someone was like, the queen is coming to talk to you. I'm like, the queen.

I'm like, boy. And then I just felt something behind me. And she was like, hello, baby. And I turned around and it was like, whoa. And she was like, hi. I just wanted to come and say hello. And I was like, hi. And she was just like, you know, if you need anything.

And I was just frozen. I was like, oh my gosh. and she's like it's going to be really fun and I got to see just everything and the music was beautiful and getting to shoot it was awesome and it was so like so where I couldn't believe it

and it was a secret like no one knew that it was going to happen and getting to be there in the room at the Oscars and like experience that with everybody it was really fun I'm going to focus on the least significant part

of that story why was it in the masked singer set honestly does no one would expect Beyonce to be there Is that way it was like that's how you keep things under wraps I have no idea It was at like the studio And I was like

I mean Alice saw was like the mass singer above And I was like Crocodile face Okay right No seriously That set is very guarded though Because they do keep it super secret Who are the celebrities that are the singers

And apparently it's like a There's like extra protection all over that set So that it never gets out who's on the show So maybe that's why That's right Okay. Yeah, that must be why. So incredible. I mean, so iconic. And you and Demi sort of like opened the whole thing.

It's amazing. It is beautiful. Sinaya, before we get into your incredible career and basically the prodigy that you are today, we do have a classic question that we like to ask our guests, which is to tell us about an embarrassing moment from middle school. So in your case, that could be something that happened on a set, basically anything that happened when you were like 12, 15. Honestly, I'm curious to know your guys is embarrassing.

stories too, so I want to hear that. Okay. I'm embarrassing. Oh, I have one. I was shooting in King Richard. As one does. And I think this is my first time actually saying this. I was shooting a tennis sequence and I'm going back and forth and I'm really into it.

And this is like the last match of the movie. And I had the beaded look and I'm wearing like the Reebok pumps. He's really cool. I'm really having fun. I'm really in it. And I end up losing my balance and I fall on the ground. I felt really, really hard. Like, I scraped myself up and stuff.

And I was on the ground for a good, like, five minutes. And our director Ray ran over. Like, everybody came over and he, like, help me up. He's like, are you okay? And he was like, man, I might have to keep that in the movie. And I was like, oh, no, like, you can't keep that in the movie. We're like, I just busted my butt. I was like, that's so embarrassing.

And, you know, like, at a game, like, when, like, an athlete gets hurt And when they get up, everyone claps and stuff. Everyone just started clapping. And I was just like, ah, thanks, you know, let's go back into the shot, man. You know, I'm a little bears, but that's fine. And, like, Demi literally goes, Sonaya, are you okay?

You just are busting your butt? And I was like, John Good. And, like, John Burnta, who I love, he was just like, it's all right. Get up. You're good. She's good.

All right, girl. Rub it off. I'm limping and stuff. I'm just like trying to act like everything's good. I was so embarrassed. But then one of those things, like, you just got to laugh at yourself. Yeah. And then I got to see the film and Mr. Ray kept it in.

So everybody saw it there, which is always your worst fear. Right. Everyone saw that fall. And people were like, oh, my gosh, did that really happen in, like, the match and stuff? And I was like, no, happened in my lifetime. But not hers. I was so embarrassed. But I just laughed at myself.

I was just like, you know, I was going to... I'm good. That's always the thing when you fall. It's just like trying to make everybody else feel comfortable. Like, I'm good. I'm fine. I'm fine. And I'll tell a story.

I haven't told this one yet. So this is in my 20s, but since you told a recent one. Well, it's not that recent. I'm in my 30s, but I'll tell this one anyway. I was playing ping pong with a guy. And I think I had like a little crush on him. Not like a huge crush, but like a little crush. He was cute.

I am not athletic, but I was actually doing pre-fongonging. well at this game so I was like really excited and a bee just like flew up my nose and nobody saw it nobody saw it happen I mean I didn't even it just was like and I started screaming and like running around and like I like didn't know and and there were like people watching because people would watch the ping pong matches and everyone's like she like lost her mind and then I like had to like blow it out so the little like bee falls out and it stung me and so one side my nose, like, got bigger than the other side, and it didn't go down for, like, several hours.

So it was just, like, I was, like, really embarrassed for several hours. So that was one that, that was, like, very memorable. Yeah. Nava is actually, Nava is a rich well of stories. They have a lot. She really, she really, I have to say, it's impressive. That is scary. Okay, I have a story.

I've only told a handful of people. When David and I, David's our producer, he's also my husband, when we started dating, and getting to know each other. I told him I had an embarrassing story. I'd never told anyone before. And for months, he tried to get me to tell him this story. Finally, like, one day I sat down and told him this story. And he's one of the few people that knows it. So when I was growing up, my family sort of made fun of me for anything that had to do with the bathroom. Like, it was just known in my family that I was like the smallest, the youngest, like just like a cute little girl. But when I used the bathroom, something, it was like,

a demon is coming out of me. Oh, my goodness. So I was always really, really sensitive about anything to do with, like, pooping, farting, anything like that. Oh, my goodness. Yeah. You're already like, oh, God. Oh, my goodness.

I would make sure none of that was ever close to anybody else or public or anything like that. And I was 20 years old, I think, and I was getting to know this guy. And it was winter in New York City. and I had like a long coat, right? And I just needed to fart, okay? We were walking out of the West 4th station, subway station, and I needed to fart, and I thought, this is going to be fine.

Like, that's a long coat. The perfect place. I'm secure. It's cold. New York City. Oh, wow. Mr. Pinn, you sound like you have some experience. So Penn will come next.

I just, you know, let a little one out. And right as I did this. that he put his arm around my shoulder and i don't know what it is maybe a physicist can like weigh in here i don't know what it was about that action that just compressed something in my coat and pushed all the air through my coat and up out through the neck hole and i my eyes just went so wide and i was like there's no way he did not just smell that there's no there's no away. It's like in our faces right now. We just never said

anything. I just kept walking and looked straight ahead. I don't know to this day if you ever smelled it. The relationship ended. He's going to text you later and be like, yeah, Sophie. Actually, I did. But you know what?

I just love the idea that we would talk to a physicist about that. I really want to. Penn, we're waiting. One that came to mind was actually when I was on set of John Tucker Must Die. So I was out to dinner with like Sophia Bush and Jesse Metcalf and Ariel Kevall and I don't think Ashanti was there. I would remember if Ashanti was there. By the way, I was really stoked in that movie about that.

But Sophia Bush was with Chad Michael Murray and he was out with us. So it was like a lot of, you know, these kind of like young heart-throbby people. One Tree Hill crew. Yeah. Right. And we went out to some Asian fusion place in Vancouver. We're in Vancouver and I'm like 17, I think. I hadn't traveled that much at that point.

It was the first time I'd ever seen or eaten edamame, from what I remember. And just the whole time everybody was eating edamame and it seemed to me to be like, it was almost like a cigarette. It was like it seemed very cool. The way everybody was eating the edamame was very cool. And for some reason I didn't, I was weirdly intimidated by this act of eating at a edamame because I didn't know how to eat it and I couldn't tell what they were doing. And so like halfway through the meal, I finally just like weirdly decide to reach into the edamame bowl and then

put and then put one in my mouth and I'm trying to. And then I realize I realized this has already been eaten. And I realized that the whole thing was just empty like they'd already finished it all. And I had just in front of everybody. just taken an old edamame. Oh, that is really amazing. That in all likelihood was in Chad Michael Murray's mouth. Oh, my God. And just kind of like sucked on it for a little bit

and then realized what, and then just put it back and just didn't say anything. Oh, my God, you need to go find that edamame shelf, put on eBay. I basically looked around the table just to be like, who saw that, who saw that, who saw that? Oh, my gosh. Wow. And it's just I don't, I often when I'm eating it amami, not all the time, It just kind of flashes in my mind.

Just picture. Tag Michael Murray's face every time he pops at him on. Yeah. And we'll be right back. All right. So let's just real talk, as they say, for a second. That's a little bit of an aged thing to say now.

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I was a little bit of a weepy mess watching one of your most recent projects. King Richard Maybe it's because, you know, I'm a father, maybe it's because I haven't seen my family in a few weeks working here in London. But I was just really struck by your performance and how grounded you were, like you're able to be simple and direct in your performance, which is a beautiful, beautiful thing.

I mean, I was acting when I was your age, and it's hard to just let yourself be, you know, to just let yourself be. Actually, that's middle school period. It's just hard to be, right? So I just want to, I don't know, commend you and encourage you like it's just really really lovely to see someone of your age doing what you're doing and can i just ask how does it feel to be living through these last

couple years you've been having like such in a you know just by any standard you've been doing it and it's meaningful work like these women that you're playing and the stories you're a part of and the people you're working alongside of like how has that felt is it it it's serious Is it? Definitely surreal. Because this has always been like the dream to be able to become an actress and say like, oh my gosh, I get to work with people I've looked up to for so long. But now that that is the reality, it's kind of just like, oh, my goodness.

Like, this is what I do for a living. Like, this is so cool. But at the same time, a lot of people ask me, like, how long are you doing this? And they expect, you know, seven years. And I'm like, oh, no, like, this would be like 11 years. And they're like, wow, what? And I'm like, yeah, you know, like, I don't know. This has always been my calling.

And being that we were in a weird time for a good two years, you know, it gave me a lot of time to even dive deeper to what I do. So when we started King Richard, it was right before everything. We were shooting for a good two, three weeks right before it covered spread. Like, it was crazy. And literally our last day on set, they were like, there's this thing that's out called COVID, but we'll be back in like three days.

And then like, I mean, the whole world shut down and we didn't know if we were going to come back or we didn't know what was going to happen. Yeah. But I really dove deep into just who Venus was. And I caught myself just like sitting on the couch and just watching her matches. And I just fell in love with who she was,

even more than how much I fell in love with her and I was auditioning for her and stuff. It just allowed me to connect to her. and, you know, asked for permission to be this person. And, like, you know what I'm saying? I do, yeah. It was really beautiful, honestly. I grew as an actress and as a young woman.

And, you know, I got to really have conversation with my mom about stuff she remembers. And, yeah, it was really cool. Yeah, yeah. And I felt real because, like I said, it became her. So those emotional scenes were definitely later. But I think I was in headspace she was at at the time, too. How did it feel to put down or laid a rest or just sort of part ways with Venus, you know, in that kind of emotional, psychological, spiritual way? To be honest, when I play a role, like, they're always within my heart forever.

Honestly, like, I feel like sometimes I could tap into them when I need to. I hope it sounds like, I know if people were like, actors, man, what? No, that's really cool. No, that resonates with me. There's just things like I said that, man, my heart. sparkle whenever I got to just be her every day, I had the blessing to get to meet her and see how she is now. And we are so similar. I wouldn't think that I was similar to the first to do it. Like Venus Williams, like, no, it was definitely hard to lay her to rest, but it's something like

I laid her to rest within myself, but I can always go to the real one whenever I need her. So it's like, it's not that bad. You know, that's really cool. I saw this video of you, Sinaya, talking about what it was like to train, to play tennis for Venus, which is wild. One of the things that happened was that you're left-handed, but you had to learn how to play tennis. Shout out. You had to learn how to play tennis from the ground up, like never having played with your right hand, like with your non-dominate hand, which is wild in itself. But then you were describing your schedule, right?

And it was like, practice. Monday through Friday and then come home, watch two matches, and it was incredible. And I found myself at the end of it feeling like, whoa, this is just like a formula for becoming an expert at anything you want. And I found myself like so proud of you. She did that. She became like a pro tennis. Not a pro tennis player, but you know what I mean. Like she was able to convincingly play a pro tennis player and actually play tennis in those six months, which I found so cool. And I wonder, are you proud of yourself? Did you leave with that feeling like, wow, I can, I can, could apply this to something else. Like I could kind of do whatever I want. Definitely. I was

excited, but so nervous because I didn't play sports growing up. As you can see, I'm definitely an actress. But like, that wasn't my thing. So I was just like, am I going to be capable enough to, you know, be able to harness like Venus's love is tennis? So she put her heart and soul into it at a very young age. You know, so I was like, how am I going to be able to do this? But like I said, there's moments on set where, you know, when you do something and you're like, well, did I just do that? Like, I can't believe like I just did that shot. There's moments where I thought I was just like, wow, like the hard worker's paying all.

Yeah. I, like you said, I did bring that confidence that I had within my tennis into my everyday life. That's so cool. I saw you in Demi, maybe on the Kelly Clarkson show. I don't remember on some show. And you guys said that Will didn't have to learn how to play as well because King Richard didn't. So could you beat him at tennis? Just curious. Oh, yes. What I tell you, oh, my gosh, I saw it. If you guys, it's really, okay, I'm not clowning Mr. Will. I love him so very much.

But it would crack us up because we'd be on, like, the courts. And, you know, we have our coach and we're doing our drills. We're doing beforehand back in. We're going at it. And Will will try to pop in and, like, try to feed us the balls. And the balls will just fly on the fence. And we're just, like, we just couldn't keep us straight face. Because he'd be in the accent. And he'd be like, Junior, like, keep your feet. Keep, like, keep on your toes, junior.

Ooh, I'm like, catch you being this William. And I'm like, Mr. Will, like, you're definitely not going to catch me. No. And, like, he'll be like, does he know, like, he's not, like, hitting them in the net? Like, they're, like, go anymore. I'd be, like, just go with it. You know.

But, yeah, no, he definitely tried really hard. And he got better towards the end. He actually did really good. But it was at the end. So we were like, you know, it's okay. So, yeah. That's amazing. You're working on so many amazing projects.

You've already worked on so many amazing projects, but I think it would be nice for the listener to hear how you got there. So it sounds like you got to start when you were five, but can you sort of like walk us through it? Like how, when did you have that first tingling of like, I want to be an actress? What, you know, what sparked that? How did your family react?

Sort of how have you gotten to where you are? My goodness. So around four was when, I don't know. So my family always told me, like even when I was little, I was always doing something that was related to the arts. My mom always put on the Oscars and the Emmys. And I would sit and I'd watch them with my mom and I'd tune in every year

and getting to see these actors and actresses that I loved, get on the stage, accept this award and just talk about their experience and how this movie made them feel and the character they got to play. It's like, I want to do that. and they were inspiring me and my mom would always tell me like,

you know, you can go out there and inspire whoever you want to. And I was like, hey, like, well, why don't I do that? Like, do like acting. And my mom was like, that is hilarious. You're not acting?

You know, yeah, after that, I just started trying everything. Like, I found my acting classes and my acting coach is now my manager. Wow. So this was what, six years old? 10 years old. Eight years old.

Five. Five. years old. Okay. Four, no, and four was when you realized your calling. Five was when you manifested it. Six was when you mastered it. Accelerated past. And seven was when you signed your deal with master class. Right. That's a good, good way to think about it. I didn't even think of that. Good job, Mr. Penn. Okay. Yeah. They don't call me Mr. Penn for nothing. In fact, they don't call you that. And how did your family, sort of the rest of your family, react as you started getting more and more serious about acting.

Oh my gosh. My family, they all were just so flexible and supportive. Like instantly, like, there's many young actors like myself that I see at these auditions and their mom wanted it more than they did. You know what I'm saying?

Oh, yeah. So I was just like, you know what? I'm grateful that my parents allow me just to shine in my gift and not force me into doing something. You know, it's funny because when I audition for the census, I was so prepared. Because my manager, ever since I was little, you know, like I learned how to meditate at five. And like I learned how to, like she was introducing me so much, so little.

My manager told me at six years old, she was just like, Denzo Washington can be calling asking you to play his daughter. What are you going to do? And that was just a what if? Yes. That was just a theoretical. Yes, at six years old, and she's like, what are you going to do? And then how many months later did that happen? And what did you do?

So when she told me that, she was just like, what are you going to do? Are you going to prepare now or are you going to prepare later? And I was like, I'm going to prepare now. And she's like, he could call tomorrow. Yeah. And I was like, right, let's just keep going to class. Like, this was the goal. And it took four years of preparation.

And around like nine years old, they were doing fences the film. And I was like, all right. And Constance was like, he called. Are you ready? That is so wild. I love that her name is Constance as well. Constance. Yeah.

I was just like, yes, I am. I studied it, and I studied the role I was playing. And I sent myself tape in. And then I got a director session, and I met him. And it was just like one of the best auditions that I've ever done. But I was so prepared to meet him that it was just like, all right, I'm ready. Wow. I'm like trying to put myself in your shoes and I can't. I mean. Don't try. Yeah. I feel like I would just be a puddle. I would just be a mess. I would be so nervous. How did you feel on the flight over? Like what was going through your head? It's funny because my mom loves Mr. Washington. Like my grandmother called and she was like, oh my goodness. She was getting Gendo Washington. Mom was like, Mobleed Blue's days. So handsome. Okay, that's cool, you know.

And I'm not going to love, of course, I was nervous, but it was a good nervous. Like, it was like, oh, my goodness, like, the day is actually here. Like, I can't believe I'm actually going to meet him. And when they called me up, I would never forget this. I'm going up, like, a whole thing of stairs. And, like, it was, like, a maze to get up to the room. And I remember walking up, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, I'm like a palace. And I get there, and I see him.

And I'm just like, I don't know. Like, I just naturally felt like I was talking to family. I think that's great. That's healthy, you know? I was actually once in a room with him where I was, actually, you know, it's funny. I'm remembering now, Robert De Niro was also in that room. And between Robert DeNaro and Denzel Washington, I feel like I was standing near them at one point. And then I made eye contact with both of them.

And I just looked at them and I was just, my, my attitude and expression was like, listen, guys, I wish I wasn't here too. Don't worry about it. Don't worry about it. Let's not talk. Oh, my goodness. Okay, wait. I'm trying to paint more of a picture for myself of your childhood. And I mean, you're talking about being on planes, going to auditions for really prestigious projects. And I'm assuming that you weren't able to be like in any sort of traditional school system at the time. Were you homeschooled? So I was in elementary school and a regular public school.

kindergarten to third grade and then fourth grade through seventh grade it went to performing art school. Oh, cool. And that was a different experience within it. That was definitely an interesting time because it transitioned from fourth grade to middle school days

and then it just got weird. So I had a large friend group in fourth grade. It was like four of us and then slowly it changed to like six to ten. And I don't know. There's just, I had to learn how to be a leader and not a follower. There's just people that I was becoming friends with and groups that I probably shouldn't have hung out with that it was kind of rubbing off on me.

I had to learn how to let go of, like, toxic relationships and friendships at a very young age. I went from having, like, 10 friends to, like, one or two. And it was, like, in my eighth grade year, where I was really, like, by myself. And my mom was like, that is okay. You don't need the whole school behind you saying that they're your friend. Like, if you have yourself, that's enough, you know? Yeah. Are you close with your mom?

Very close with my mom. Yeah. She's one of my best friends. She was here. She's like, girl, I'm your mother, not your friend. That's good, actually. That's a sign of good parenting, I think. Yeah.

She's like, I'll be a friend when you're grown. No, yeah, she's one of my best friends. strongest woman I know. And you know Venus. I mean, hey. Actually, you know Violet Davis. You know, wow, the list is so long. Yeah.

Do you miss school at all in sort of the path that you're on now? Or are you kind of... Yes and no. Honestly, I've been doing homeschooling since seventh grade. And I honestly, I'm just used to it. But, you know, my brother went to an amazing school and he did football. So I was always, you know, around the football players, and I was always there. So I was kind of like the little sister for his friend group for years.

And I don't know. I was always around his friends. And then I was really shy and quiet, especially around boys. So I never really, like, wanted to, like, be that little sister. And I was like, oh, like, my sister has to come with us guys. But my brother really took me under his wing my freshman year. and I started really just like hanging out with him and making my own friends at that school.

So to this day, I have a bunch of friends at that school and I go and I support my friends at the football game. They're about to graduate. So not really. I'm getting it. Just not traditionally, you know. Yeah. But that's enough for me, man.

I'm a junior driving, living my life, have a job. Yeah, you're sad. I'm all good. You know. Sanaya, your face lit up a little bit when you said boys. And one thing that we always ask everyone is about their crushes. I don't know if you have a first crush or first heartbreak. But if you have, if you've had either and you're comfortable sharing. Yes, of course. Okay. First heartbreak. I mean, honestly, I think it was just like kids. I would see that were my brother's friends. And I was like, oh, you have a girlfriend now. It's fine. It's okay. You know, we broke up. But that's totally fine. I'm just like, now, you're like 10. And I'm. But, no, honestly, I have a lot of celebrity questions a lot more than, like, in real life. I didn't start, like, having, like... But, Sinai, that is your real life. True, true.

I mean, I don't know. Is it, am I wrong here? That's true. That's like your school. It's your pool of people. Right. I actually, okay, to this day, I love Dylan O'Brien. Oh, yes.

I used to watch Teen Wolf religiously. and I didn't, oh my gosh, this is so funny. I'm like, can I legally say it? I know that I can. I think if he said he had a crush on you, that would be a problem. But I, like, had, like, a chemistry read with him once. And I didn't know he was going to be there. And I freaked out because I was like, oh, my gosh.

My manager was like, yeah, so, you know, Delano Pratt? And I was like, like, do whatever. I know. I know. And she's like, yeah, like, you know, got to have a chemistry read with him. And he may or may not be there. And I was just like, oh, okay, you know, I'll be good. I get there.

And, like, my character, like, my hair was all crazy and it was, like, teased and stuff. I was, like, in crazy. They opened the door. And he was in, like, a baseball cap and just, like, a white shirt. And I was like, who? I was like, oh, my gosh, he's so handsome. And I was just like, I couldn't talk. And he was just like, hi, nice to meet you.

I'm Dylan. And I'm like, I know. And I had like, our producers there. I was just like, okay, snob out of it. But like, he gave me two hugs and he smelled so good. And I was like, this is the highlight. And then making my day. I love this.

I was literally. I love that. I know the name, but I'm not entirely sure who Dylan O'Brien is. He was in, I mean, Teen Wolf in. He did, um, the main. Ace Runner. Did you say that, Penn? Penn, he was in the all-too-well short film that I made you watch. Right?

I watched it over Zoom with Penn. Really? Yeah. Oh, my goodness. Oh, my gosh. Okay. It was definitely just to see our chemistry, you know, within our characters, because in the film, you know, he kind of takes it under his wing as well, like,

as his little sister, so. Got it, yeah. So that's just helpful to clarify for listeners that chemistry isn't always for romantic. Yeah, because I was listening to the story with beta breath being like, okay, well, okay, all right, okay, I'm glad this man smells good, but I'm just trying to understand where. Okay, cool, all right. I was just the one that was like, I'm in love with you, but I understand that this is just never going to happen. So cute. Don't go anywhere.

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Learn more at trynom.com slash podcrushed, spelled try-n-o-m-com slash podcrushed. Sonai, what do you have left? What are you going to do? No, seriously, what do you want to do? Like, I mean, like if you were imagine yourself 10 years from now which is only still pushing on 26 which is still a baby where do you see yourself in the next 10 to 15 years in 10 years I hope things are at peace

that's what I pray for but also I hope I'm just doing incredible things you know what I'm saying like but at the same time there will still be so much more to accomplish. Of course. That's what I love. Like, I'm looking at someone's like, what are you going to do in five years? What are you doing 10?

I'm like, thing. Like people think that's so like a long time, but really it isn't because the ones it's there. I was going to say that. I was going to be like 10 years still is a blip, but, but it is a formative 10 years. And actually I want to, I want you say a little bit more about something. You said before you even spoke about yourself, you actually kind of pointed to to the sort of circumstances of the world, which I, which I love,

Because one of the reasons we started this show is because we believe this period of life that you've just gone through is a period of life where if we're oriented towards, like, service to humanity, to the betterment of the world, that it can really, it can have an impact. How of the last few years felt to you personally and then also, like, socially, like, feel free to, feel free to say as much or as little as is comfortable. We're not the kind of show. We're not trying to get a sound bite. We're just, I'm just curious because you did just go through this. Like, our PR people just woke. They're like, what? Sound like? Does it want to sound like?

But you know what I mean? Like, how do you see things right now? My goodness. It's funny because like when I think about the pandemic and everything that is going on in our world, it's kind of just like, like I said, is one of those moments where you are like, wow, like we are all living this together. I can't believe I can relate to many people around this world about certain things. Like, for me, it was just like, I'm not alone. My family isn't alone in this.

Teenagers aren't alone with this. But for me, during the pandemic and during the shutdown, I was so, I was able to really just connect with my family. We hadn't been with one another, like sitting down, having dinner, talking to each other, asking each other how our day was. Couldn't go outside. couldn't go to the store, you know, certain things like that. I'm just like, dang, like, we really couldn't do certain things at that time in our life. But it was beautiful for a good few months, I will say, because I got to really get closer to the ones I love.

It was kind of like our own bubble. Like, I try to stay as positive as I can. It's really hard sometimes, especially in this time, and this day and age and the teenagers I talk to. They're going through so much, you know, not. a lot of kids are able to have the freedom to talk to their parents and seek help because they feel like they can't. And it's really sad. I really feel for my age group and kids that are in high school and kids that are in elementary middle because they just feel like they don't have

anyone to go to. There is hope, but there's a question mark behind everything sometimes. I think if we stay hopeful and to keep the faith, we can manifest things to become our reality. I like to sit down and really talk to people and ask them, why they feel the way they feel or ask them like, what's going on? Like, tell me why you feel the way you feel right now. And most of the time, it's social media. Most of the time, it's, you know, things that are going on at home, parents, siblings, especially in like when you're a black kid in America, things are a lot different. Things are expected of us and some things are not.

There's that natural, you know, reaction that some people have to, you know, my brother and his friends, you know what I'm saying? So there's so much that just happened and that is happening that, I don't know, I just try to let people know that there's good in everything. They're good in everything. You just got to find it. You've got to keep living and you got to just keep pushing through. Don't wake up with the mindset of like, oh, naturally the world is attacking me today.

I mean, you just woke up. You started your day. Be blessed to see another day. You know what I'm saying? I don't know. There's just things that I think people can really look forward to. And they usually don't because they kind of just pile on all of the negative thoughts before they can even think about the good ones.

We are so grateful to be able to say we are living in the time we are, even though some people could say, how could you say that? It's so tough right now. But it's like, it was tough for my grandma when she was growing up and she found happiness within her childhood. So why can't we do the same? It is not just for kids. They can apply to anybody.

You do some, as I gather, you do some philanthropic work, is that right? You're on the Global Advisory Board for Care, right? Yes, I do. Can you tell us about that? Yes. You know, care is an organization that helps women and girls around the world. And I loved it so much. And what called to me is that it wasn't just girls that were in the United States

or girls that looked like me. It was girls everywhere. Women that came together and spoke about their experiences and what they want to do with their life and what they can do to help others. And yeah, I really enjoy getting to talk to the kids and getting to talk to other women about what they want to do. I just love helping people. We are people. So why shouldn't we like help our people? Does it make sense? Yeah. Just in the last few minutes, you've given me so much hope. You seem like a source of hope. Like, do you find that people come to you, like friends, family? Do people come to you to be, like, cheered up, to be?

Yes. They definitely do. I'm very goofy. Yeah. I don't buy it. The final question we ask all of our guests is if you had a few moments to go back to your 12-year-old self, you're not so far from that age. It's just a couple of years ago.

But maybe you can think back to what was really going on at that time for you specifically. Right. And, yeah, I want to know what you would say to your 12-year-old self. Don't doubt yourself. God gave you his gift for a reason. Be excited for what's to come. And also, like, don't take everything so seriously. Because at that time, it was so, like, I was just doing a show,

and then I got done with that show, and things got really serious when it got canceled. and I went back to auditioning. And then when I kind of just, like, I allowed myself to relax and, like, just believing myself, King Richard popped up. So I just tell myself, like, chill out, man, enjoy being 12. Would you give her a heads up that she's about to meet Dylan O'Brien? Yes, I would.

And I'd tell her to, I'd like to do a little something to her hair, just a little something. It was, it was crazy. I don't think I said, like, Mr. Pinn, if you, if it was, if it was like going, and to see you, I'd have been like, yo man, I'm sorry. Look at my hair. This is embarrassing.

I don't think he would recognize me now. It was bad. But, no, yeah, I would tell her to just wait. You're about to meet someone very exciting. You probably are going to feel like your heart is in your stomach, but you're going to be good. Yeah, it's just, it's interesting to think about the path you've been on. I'd be really interested to hear about, you know, check in 5, 10, 15 years. Because you're on a path that you have, I think, an incredible head on your shoulders.

It sounds like you have a really robust support system. And there's also no doubt that the industry that we're in is a very intense one. I know that you know that already. But, you know, I'd be interested to hear in some time the sort of the ups and downs and the wins and the losses and the wisdom that you gain. That's so nice. I'm like, I want to stay with you guys. I want to keep you, Sonaya. I enjoy talking to you.

Sanaya, do you have any questions for Penn? Just like, we don't have to keep this in the podcast, but just if there's anything you've ever wanted to ask him. Oh, my gosh. Okay. You can have a chance, yeah. I do have a question. What's something that kept you going within your career when you're on my age?

So let's see. When I was your age, I first, I got on my first, like, lead in a series. I did a pilot, and then it got picked up. Look, I'll tell you about from 15 to 20, I went from kind of like a lot of what you described, like it seemed it was just kind of doors kept opening it was like yes and yes and you know it's just and then by the time i was 20 you know 1920 i really had become disillusioned with hollywood and and and uh i'm not saying that because i anticipate the same for you i mean actually you're

working on the sort of caliber of projects that you you're really connecting with like the craft of acting which i think can keep someone really feeling creatively and spiritually fulfilled you know to some degree it is a blessing to be able to be able to to work the way that you are to have this job that we do to make a living at a craft that you said earlier on in the interview is like you're calling. That's a blessing. That is an undoubted gift.

However, there's a little bit of a myth that Hollywood can't help but keep selling to its best and brightest, which is this should fulfill you in every way. And people might say, hey, listen, you always got to keep yourself right, the job can't be everything. but their actions betray that sentiment.

Their actions suggest do this at all costs. It's like the hours alone dictate certain things. You know, it's like you're working 12, 13 hours a day. So I would just say, you know, it's a beautiful and a great double-edged sword to be working at that level, you know, at your age and just know that God's going to test you. You know, and right?

I mean, you know, so I think like it sounds like, again, you have an integral support system, but everybody's tested to within an inch of their capacity. And this is a tricky business, you know, you get some, you get some bright lights. Yes. Big city. Exactly. Wow. I feel like I was in a class right now.

So sweet. I said they don't call me Mr. Penn. And then, of course. For nothing. Honestly. I was safe. I'm so glad that I got to talk to you guys today. And I'm so happy for you, Mr. Paine.

I'm a very big fan. I really appreciate that. You have a friend of a supporter of you. Listen, it goes both ways. I really love what you're doing. Oh. That's so cool. Thank you.

So lovely to get to know you. No, thank you guys. Bye. Bye, so nice. Enjoy London, Mr. Pinn. Bye. Thank you. Bye.

Today's listeners-admitted story is a really nice, fun, like short, snappy story. It's called Disney Made Me Do It. Pen, take it away. Okay, so back in middle school, I had this really big crush on a boy named Nick. And honestly, I was bold, bold, bold back then, bold and big letters. I didn't even realize that I wasn't conventionally attractive enough to have a crush on someone who was way out of my league. Anyways, I really wanted to ask Nick out. And my years of watching Disney Channel really made me feel like Val's. Valentine's Day was the greatest day to do it.

So the day before, it's the 13th. I'm prepping. I'm mentally getting ready. I'm excited. I buy him a chocolate rose. And during gym class, this girl comes up to me and asks me who the rose is for. And I say this rose is for Nick. This girl laughs in my face.

And I guess she gave him the memo because when I went to go see him, he, without a word, turns and runs. My first crush ever, too. So I just stood there taking it in. I cringe now for even trying because everyone is always like, oh, what's the worst that can happen? Nick can sprint towards the high heavens, I guess. That girl started dating him shortly thereafter too. Anyway, it's whatever because he peaked in middle school.

You can catch Sinaias Sidney in the series The First Lady playing Sasha Obama, or you can see her as Claudette Colvin in Spark. You can just follow her online as well at Sinaii, Sydney. Podcrushed is hosted by Penn Badgley, Navakavlin, and Sophie Ansari. Our executive producer is Nora Richie from Stitcher. Our lead producer, editor, and composer is David Ansari. Our secondary editor is Sharaff and Twistle.

This podcast is a ninth mode production. Be sure to subscribe to Podcushed. You can find us on Stitcher, the Serious XM app, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or wherever you listen. If you'd like to submit a middle school story, go to podcrush.com and give us every detail. And while you're online, be sure to follow us on socials. It's at Podcresh, spelled how to do you. it sounds. And our personals are at Pembadjley, at Nava. That's Nava with three ends, and at Scribble by Sophie. And by the way, we're off for the next two weeks. So sit tight and

we'll be back in business with new episodes. And as a personal thank you for staying this long into the episode. Here's a little secret for you. Our comeback episode will be with Sebastian Stan. Yes, that's Sebastian Stan. Okay, bye. No telling one. We're freaking out too. Anyway, it's whatever because he peaked in middle school. She died. Oh. I'm kidding. I had to add that.

She didn't die. Well, I mean, she could have. Oh. Stitcher. Thank you.