10 Things about Ali Skovbye
You’re originally from Vancouver, Canada where much of Hollywood production takes place. When did you realize that you would end up with a career in entertainment and how did you initially get your start?
I initially got started because of my older sister. An agent had seen her at a park one day and gave my parents a card. Our family had no experience in film at all, so they decided to take a meeting to see what it was all about. They asked my sister if she wanted to try it out and she did. They asked me if I wanted to do it as well, but I was extremely shy and wanted nothing to do with it. Once I had a bit more confidence at the age of 5 and was able to see what my sister was doing, I told my parents I wanted to try it as well. Like all younger siblings, I wanted to be just like my sister, and do everything she was doing. The older I got, the more I realized how much I actually loved it and waned to make a career out of it.
Which actors body of work impressed you and had a positive impact on your career as you got started?
Mamma Mia was the first movie I watched that I became completely mesmerized with. It was the first Meryl Streep movie I ever watched and was the start of my idolization of her. Amanda Seyfried was also a huge influence on me when I was young, because of how much I loved the movie. She was basically living the life I dreamt of. Emma Stone has always been someone I’ve really admired. Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy in Before Sunrise showed me the kind of work I wanted to do. It represented beautifully honest characters and showed me the way in which I want to be able to tell a story. Also Jim Carrey. It all started with the Grinch when I was younger and developed into my complete and udder love for Eternal sunshine of the Spotless Mind. He had movies that made me happy, that made me laugh, made me think and made me cry. You could tell how hard he worked and I wanted to make different projects to make people feel different things.
You’ve only been acting for a few short years. But have you already made your list of talent that you’d like to work with?
Timothée Chalamet.
Timothée Chalamet.
Timothée Chalamet.
Timothée Chalamet.
Timothée Chalamet.
Let’s talk about your latest project, Firefly Lane on NETFLIX. How were you first introduced to the project and what was it about the script that made you excited to be a part of the show?
I was introduced to the project through my team. My agent and manager sent over the information and the sides, and I went in for the audition. I found out I got the part soon after and that’s when I got a full script to read and I started reading the book as well. I think everything about this story made me excited to be apart of it. It’s a show staring two female badass women, which was already enough to make me really really excited to be apart of it. It shows a female friendship in a real and honest way. Female friendships are so important to so many of our lives and I love that we were able to shine light on all the beautiful parts of friendships, along with the messiness of life. I love that we don’t shy away from difficult subject matter. That this script has a little something for everyone in it and we can represent the people who have maybe felt like they have lost their voice, or don’t feel comfortable talking about certain things.
On the show, you play the role of “Young Tully”, who is the younger version of Katherine Heigl’s character. What can you tell us about Tully’s personality in her younger days?
Tully is a firecracker. She knows what she wants and she will stop at nothing to get it. She is fiercely motivated and hard working and she stands up for her friends (friend). She struggles with being vulnerable to people and opening up and she often feels like her emotions are invalid. She’s confused and she’s growing, she’s only 14 and she’s trying to find her way in this world while battling a really tough home life, trauma and a lot of pain.
How much of Tully’s personality do we see transition into her older years and how does this affect her relationships moving forward?
I think most things that Tully deals with when she’s younger carries on into her older years. She has a hard time dealing and coping with things, but not only that, the things from her past seem to keep coming up when she’s older. New issues with her mom arise, her trauma sticks with her (which is totally normal) and her commitment issues are still a struggle. All of these things greatly affect her relationships moving forward and make her life a lot more difficult and lonely.
The show has amassed quite the viewership and popularity on the streaming platform. How exciting has it been to be part of something this successful?
I’m completely overwhelmed with gratitude. I love this show and everyone involved in it so incredibly much and I’m so happy everyone’s hard work is getting recognized and these beautiful characters are resonating with people. So surreal.
For those who haven’t tuned in just yet, why should they watch “Firefly Lane” and what are they in for?
If you aren’t watching our show with snacks, wine and your best friends, then get ready to miss your best friend and doing just that together. You should watch our show if you wanna die laughing one minute and be sobbing the next. Our show is about two best friends, making mistakes, loving hard, lying, trying to find their way in this world and sticking by each other no matter what. which is pretty much just like all of us. Also I think it’s a pretty good feel good show(:
When it comes to fashion which designers and styes appeal most to your personality?
I definitely think I’m still figuring out which designers and styles appeal most to me. I’m kind of all over the place. One day I will wanna dress really girly and the next day, I’ll want nothing more than to live in sweatpants forever, lol.
Thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Besides “Firefly Lane” on NETFLIX, what other projects do you have coming up in the near future?
I have a movie coming out late summer, but I’m not allowed to say what it is yet! Stay tuned…(:
Twitter: @AliSkovbye
Instagram: @Ali.Skovbye
Photos: Jenna Berman