Pop Culturalist Chats with Taylor Hickson

2016 was a breakout year for Taylor Hickson. She starred in a little movie called Deadpool alongside Ryan Reynolds and effortlessly made her television debut in SYFY’s addictive thriller, Aftermath. She displayed remarkable range, moving between vulnerability, bravery, mysteriousness, and fear with ease. This year, she’ll play Kara Bright in the highly-anticipated film, Everything, Everything. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with this rising talent about all her projects.

Aftermath Questions

PC: What attracted you to the role? How did you prepare?
Taylor: Bri was dynamic. She had qualities of vulnerability, anger, grief, and love. There were parts of the character I resonated with and others that challenged me. I prepared by pouring myself into the script until it was burned in my brain. I took a lot of character notes. I often write diary entries from my character’s perspective if I’m really trying to pick their brains. The thing is, you can never really be prepared in film; scenes change, lines change, and locations alter the way things play out. The idea of working on a character over the span of six months and the ability to grow and change with her was an opportunity that rarely arises.

PC: Your character shares a special bond with her sister because they’re twins. How did you and Julia Sarah Stone build that relationship?
Taylor: When you spend every day with someone, the relationship builds itself naturally. From day one, Julia and I clicked. During our exercises in rehearsals, we found ourselves saying the same things at the same time. I remember our first director, Jason, was walking us through an exercise to build false memories that would’ve occurred within our characters’ childhood and then tied them to our real memories. We came upon the consensus that Levi’s character, Matt, was constantly turning the twins against each other growing up. There may be some light jealousy that he didn’t have the same connection as the twins did.

We also did an exercise where we were instructed to hold hands, and we were given a group of numbers. The goal was to look into each other’s eyes and unanimously pick the same one. I looked at Julia and immediately knew the number she picked was seven. Looking at Levi, I couldn’t quite read him as well as Julia. Jason said, “Count of three, say your numbers.” Julia and I said, “Seven,” and Levi stuttered something like, “ni-er-uh-seven.” Pretty great example of the relationships “growing up”.

PC: What are some similarities/differences you share with your character?
Taylor: 

I share her temper and ambition. Our styles are incredibly different, but the intent to wear what you want, when you want, we both share. We share the same attitude. Bri has a big heart—all drama aside. The only thing that matters to her is the well-being of her family. That itself tied me to the character.

PC: What was the most challenging part about filming Aftermath?
Taylor: 

It was just incredibly emotionally and physically demanding. We were all so exhausted walking onto our projects that followed the series yet it was bittersweet and heartbreaking to walk off in separate directions unsure of a season two.

PC: The Copeland family faces a lot of obstacles in season one. What was the scariest?
Taylor: The scariest unknown the Copelands faced, for me, would be the weather-induced horrors—as well as the comets and solar flares. Not a fan of the plague either.

PC: If you could be any other character on the show, who would it be and why?
Taylor: Maybe Dad or Dana; it would be an incredibly fun twist to be the informational myth geek. Mainly, because I myself find mythology and the Book of Revelations extremely fascinating.

PC: If the world was ending would you be more likely to fight or flight? And, how would you spend your last day?
Taylor: Run and run. 
My last day would be spent with family, eating food we love, singing, and playing music.

Career Questions

PC: What’s next for you?
Taylor: Everything, Everything hits theaters May 19, 2017. I have a couple of other projects as well.

PC: When did you realize you wanted to be an actress?
Taylor: The night I shot my scene in Deadpool. Despite the chaos around me, I’ve never been so fascinated with the machine that is Hollywood.

PC: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned being in the industry?
Taylor: I have two! Safety comes first, and your health is a priority. If you’re uncomfortable, voice it. Don’t allow yourself to be pushed around. There are individuals in every industry that will walk all over you as long as you let them.

PC: If you weren’t an actress, what would you be doing?
Taylor: Music! I’m too uncoordinated for sports. Regardless, I’d be in the arts. My siblings are all very athletic. Every time I’m asked what sport I play, I say guitar.

PC: What’s your dream role? And, who’s someone you would love to work with in the future?
Taylor: 

My dream role would be in a Tim Burton movie. So obviously, Tim Burton. There are so many! Krysten Ritter seems incredibly cool. Maybe Rebel Wilson? Definitely Jennifer Lawrence. Music-wise: Hozier, Alessia Cara, or Frank Ocean.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Taylor: Investigation Discovery or Border Patrol

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Taylor: Bambi or Tarzan

PC: Favorite book?
Taylor: Anything by Nicholas Sparks (Sorry, I’m a sucker!)

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Taylor: Cirque du Soleil

PC: Favorite social media platform?
Taylor: Twitter

PC: Hidden talent?
Taylor: I can do a horribly good Shakira impression. My Marcel the Shell impression is better though.

PC: If you could have dinner with 5 people, alive or dead, real or fictional, who would they be and why?
Taylor: Wes Anderson: Please fill my brain with your genius; Audrey Hepburn: I’d love to hear her life story; My grandma: I miss her terribly and her baked buns; Dexter: I want to hear about how morbid you are; Jack from Titanic: Because he’s bae.

Make sure to follow Taylor on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. And, binge-watch the entire season of Aftermath on SYFY.com

Featured Photo Credit: Ryan Orange Photograph