Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Star Trek: Discovery’s Arista Arhin

Talented up-and-comer Arista Arhin is delivering an out of this world performance as Young Michael Burnham on Star Trek: Discovery. She shares the vital role with Sonequa Martin-Green, and together they’re introducing a new character into the Star Trek universe, who also happens to be the first human to be raised Vulcan. Pop Culturalist sat down with Trekkie Arista Arhin to chat about season two.

Star Trek: Discovery Questions

PC: Tell us about Young Michael Burnham and what drew you to this project.
Arista: It’s such an honor being part of the iconic Star Trek franchise. I play Young Michael Burnham, who appears in flashbacks during which adult Burnham revisits her childhood in hopes to find some of the answers or explanations as to how her past affects her present. Burnham is the first human to be raised Vulcan, as she was adopted by Spock’s parents, Sarek and Amanda, and that plays a very important part in her life. Young Burnham is a very smart and brave girl, which was very fun to play. The most interesting part about this project is that I didn’t know what I was actually auditioning for because the title of the show was kept secret. It was only when I received the script for my episode that I learned that it was Star Trek: Discovery. I think I am yet to realize the tremendous impact this role is going to have in my acting life.

PC: You’re one of two actors portraying the same character. What is that like—sharing a character with another person? What’s the process like?
Arista: It was such a fantastic process and I feel so fortunate to share such a complex character with someone as talented and generous as Sonequa Martin-Green. From the onset, I felt a responsibility to portray Young Michael Burnham as authentically as possible, and Sonequa was a big part of that; she was always helping me and providing me with advice. Considering her very complicated childhood, it was important for us to discuss the scenes and synchronize the way we tell Burnham’s story. I really enjoyed working with and learning from her.

PC: What can you tease about Michael Burnham’s arc this season on Star Trek: Discovery?
Arista: In season two, we get to explore more of Burnham’s personal life and, in particular, how her relationship with her long-lost foster brother, Spock, evolves. This season continues to be exciting and unpredictable, so make sure you tune in on Thursdays at 8 PM on Space, in Canada, and in the U.S. New episodes are streaming on CBS All Access on Thursdays at 8:30 PM ET/5:30PM PT. Internationally, you can catch it on Netflix on Fridays.

PC: How challenging was it to play this role?
Arista: It was quite challenging considering that this is a new character within the Star Trek Universe and that my flashback scenes are very emotionally deep and quite demanding, considering Burnham’s internal conflict between her human and her adopted Vulcan sides. On the other hand, playing such a complex character was extremely thrilling and being given this opportunity at such a young age—and over the course of two seasons of the show—is particularly rewarding.

PC: We heard you had a grueling audition process. How do you manage the nerves?
Arista: The audition process lasted for some three months, during which I had four auditions/callbacks. It was quite nerve-wrecking with all of the waiting. I knew I had to be patient, though. I tried to distract myself by going to acting workshops and classes as well as auditioning for other shows.

Photo Credit: CBS

Career Questions

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Arista: I started modeling when I was ten and eventually that print work turned into commercial work, after which I started working on TV shows such as Odd Squad, Star Trek: Discovery, and Bajillionaires. I actually discovered by passion for acting quite spontaneously. At the time, there were several actresses, such as Zendaya and Skai Jackson, who were really inspiring, and I think seeing them on TV partly influenced my decision to venture into acting.

PC: How do you balance your career and life as a normal kid?
Arista: I make sure I don’t isolate myself from everything that my friends are part of and I try to keep in touch when I’m on set.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Arista: Scream Queens

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Arista: Coraline

PC: Favorite book?
Arista: Drama, a graphic novel.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Arista: Grease

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Arista: Calpurnia

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Arista: Stranger Things

PC: Hidden talent?
Arista: I can do the wave with my eyebrows.

To keep up with Arista, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and binge-watch Star Trek: Discovery on CBS All Access.

Photo Credit: Mark Binks