Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Switched Before Birth’s Bo Yokely

Bo Yokely is one of Hollywood’s most exciting up-and-coming leading men. He’s captivated audiences in front of and behind the camera in projects including Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Baywatch, and Nappily Ever After.

This October, he stars opposite Skyler Samuels in the must-see Lifetime film Switched Before Birth.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Bo about his multifaceted career, Switched Before Birth, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts?
Bo: My love for acting grew from my athletic background. I played soccer my whole life and absolutely loved the performance aspect of the sport. This led me to seek out that same feeling of “all eyes on me.” I always had a knack for entertaining people as well. I think people have a passion for what they are good at, and that was definitely the case for me. Being on a Marvel set as my first movie experience really set the bar high and just grew my love and passion for storytelling even more.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Bo: I get made fun of for this answer, but the biggest influence on me wanting to be an actor are all the big action movie stars of the ’90s like Kevin Costner, Mel Gibson, and Tom Cruise. These guys were just too big for life itself, and I couldn’t get enough of their movies.

PC: In addition to acting, you’re also a writer and producer. How has your work behind the scenes made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Bo: It explains the “why” behind what is happening on a set. In understanding your surroundings, you can focus more on the task at hand. I know why we are using this camera, what that person is doing, and how to get things done. Being an actor puts me in the unique position of seeing things from an artist’s point of view. As an actor, money and ROI isn’t always the biggest priority. It’s a delicate balance, but both jobs help the other.

PC: Tell us about Switched Before Birth, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Bo: I was in love with the vulnerability of this guy Brian that I play. He has this tough exterior, but he is so in love with his wife, Olivia, who is played by Skyler Samuels. There is something pure in that. I myself tend to have a tough exterior, but when it comes to my wife, I really am jello. I relate to this character more so than any other role I’ve played.

PC: The film is inspired by IVF stories of actual couples. Did that bring a different weight/pressure to this project? What type of research did you do for this role?
Bo: Absolutely. This is such a sensitive topic, and it involves so much more than just the simple act of IVF. The weight of years and years of loss and failure when it comes to conceiving a child. That in itself multiplies the weight of the role. Anytime you play a real person, you owe them everything you have…and that’s what we did. I spent hours and hours with my on-screen wife, Skyler, cultivating a friendship and partnership so we could really trust one another on screen. That 100% comes through on screen. She is such a great friend and trusted partner.

PC: How did you and Skyler approach the dynamic between your two characters and the journey that unfolds within the film?
Bo: We spent every waking hour talking, eating, reading, and just hanging out with one another. You can’t really fake a close relationship on screen in my opinion, and neither one of us took this lightly. You have to have intense trust in one another—that “I will catch you if you jump” kind of thinking. It’s like a dance when you have an on-screen partner, and spending hours together is the only way to grow that trust.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after they watch the project?
Bo: I hope that people can see the care that we all approached this topic with. It’s such a sensitive topic, and we really did put our heart and soul in this. I hope the relationship that we had comes through on screen. The love and trust we have is genuine and is truly an amazing takeaway from this film for me.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Bo: Dexter

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Bo: Snatch.

PC: Favorite book?
Bo: The Goldfinch.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Bo: Swan Lake.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Bo: Mozart.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Bo: Ryan Gosling.

To keep up with Bo, follow him on Instagram. Watch Switched Before Birth on Lifetime on October 23rd.