MEGAN STOTT
in series LITTLE FIRES EVERYWHERE
A social distancing shoot in Arkansas
iPhone Photography RHONDA STOTT
Fashion MADISON GUEST
INTERVIEW BY SYDNEY NASH.
Megan Stott is an American actor and singer. The 16-year-old’s breakout role in Hulu’s Little Fires Everywhere has garnered Stott buzz in the industry. She plays Izzy, Reese Witherspoon’s misunderstood and rebellious daughter in the show, which is based off the best-selling novel and also stars Kerry Washington. ContentMode spoke to Stott about her recent birthday celebrations, success in the midst of a pandemic and how her own teenage experience informed her portrayal of Izzy.
Q: First, I must acknowledge that this interview takes place during a very uncertain time in the world during the COVID-19 pandemic. How are you? How have you been filling your days?
A: I’m good! I have been doing many virtual interviews for Little Fires Everywhere. I have also spent time reaching out to friends and checking in with them, letting them know I am here for them during this time. I feel so fortunate to be healthy. That is my silver lining. We have shared photos and laughed and debated all sorts of things going on in the world. Spending time with my family has been fun, and I am learning new skills like watercoloring. I do spend a lot of my time working on my craft and reacquainting myself with my goals. I am trying to get the most out of isolation and hit the ground running when we are on the other side of this.
Q: Second, happy belated birthday! Did you do anything special to celebrate? How’d you spend your day?
A: Awww! Thank you so much!! The day before my birthday, I hung out with my family and we celebrated! On my birthday, I spent my time playing games and celebrated with a beautiful glitter cake (there was enough glitter to represent my personality). It was delicious!
Q: Tell me about your introduction to performance. Was there a specific moment when you decided you wanted to get into acting?
A: When I was about 4-5 years old, I used to take books my parents read me and would make them into plays. My brothers and I would perform the lines and images in the books. It was so much fun! I did this throughout my childhood and eventually, while taking vocal lessons, my coach felt I was also an actress and he had me do a few plays. Later, he took me to New York and LA and helped me find agents.
Q: You play Izzy in the new hit Hulu show Little Fires Everywhere. Tell me how this role came about and what drew you to the character.
A: I had heard about it through the industry, and then I read the book and I fell in love with the story! I asked my agents to keep a lookout for LFE and a couple months later I got an audition for IZZY. The more I read about IZZY in the script and breakdown, the greater connection I felt. I was drawn to her strong personality and her resilience through everything that was happening in her life and the ability to still be true to herself.
Q: Where were you when you got the news you’d received the part? What was your initial reaction?
A: When I got the call that I booked it, I was at an audition for my brother. My agent and manager called and teased me a bit and started by saying, “We have some bad news…” but then they then told me that I booked Little Fires Everywhere, and I was absolutely ecstatic! I just kept saying “What!!” very loudly. I was jumping up and down! Crying! All of the emotions.
Q: I’ve read that you have mentioned that you’re much more bubbly and outgoing in real life, compared to the more quiet and serious character of Izzy. Are there ways in which you’re able to relate to the character?
A: IZZY and I are similar in many ways because we both have very strong personalities. I think that my experience with bullying is another common factor that we both share that helped me connect with IZZY and her experience. We both are true to ourselves and we don’t change for those around us. IZZY is very musical and so am I, so I understand how by putting the full weight of emotions into a song helps release all of that built up stress and heartache if it is there. Finding IZZY has helped me in so many ways and made me a stronger and better person.
Q: Though the show is set in the 90s, the experience of being a teen is universal and timeless. Were you able to draw on your own high school experiences to play Izzy?
A: For my high school experience, I have been in an online public school. I am able to attend my school when I am not working. I was able to pull from some of those experiences. However, I also think that things in the 90’s were different from today, so I did not have that full aspect. I did try and ask more questions from other high school students and from people that were in high school during the 90’s, so that I had all the information I could gather in order to do the best job I could.
Q: The show has been a huge success and has been met with much praise. Has the success of the show impacted your day-to-day life at all?
A: Overall with the pandemic, it has been difficult to assess that since we have been in quarantine since the show aired. I have had many wonderful interviews and that has been a lot of fun and full of exploration. Every now and then, I get a DM that someone recognized me in a store. I am always surprised by that. I am looking forward to when things begin to open up again!
Q: Going forward, what kind of roles are you looking for? Do you have a dream role?
A: I am looking for roles that are complex and have depth and tell stories that speak to people. For me, I don’t exactly have a dream role. I think it can box you in if you are set on one specific thing. I prefer to be open to opportunity and keep myself prepared for whatever is presented! I want to work with love and compassion and work on something that I believe in.
Q: Who’s your acting role model that you look up to?
A: I have many people I look up to in the acting industry. Some of them are Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Elisabeth Moss, Matt Damon and Bradley Cooper.
Q: Acting opposite Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington must have been quite the masterclass in acting. Did you learn any acting tricks or lessons from them while on set?
A: They both taught me to be confident in my work and to make bold choices. I think they both taught us all how to be generous in our work and with others in our scenes.
Q: Tell me about what’s next for you and what you’re looking forward to.
A: I have an upcoming film for Netflix called Yes Day It is about parents trying to make it through an entire day saying YES to their kids requests. My character LAYLA is the best friend to Jenna Ortega’s character Katie Torres. I’m looking forward to living my best life and doing what I love and of course, working on another set!
Quick Q’s
Q: Last show you binged?
A: The Tudors on Netflix.
Q: Dream vacation spot?
A: I would love to go to Hawaii!
Q: Most underrated movie?
A: Limitless with Bradley Cooper.
Q: Pet peeve?
A: My pet peeve is laziness.
Q: What’s your hidden talent?
A: I think my hidden talent is singing and my comedic side.
Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
A: “I’m my only hope for a hero” is the best advice I have ever been given because in that one small statement, you learn to be self-reliant and driven for the cause of you. No one is going to fight for you if you don’t, no one is going to believe in you if you don’t, and you have to bring YOU to the table if you want to eat.
iPhone Photography RHONDA STOTT
Creative Director DEBORAH FERGUSON
Interview SYDNEY NASH
Web layout ALLIE KING
Fashion MADISON GUEST
Assistant stylist CHARLOTTE HARRIS