As a former child dancer, maybe it shouldn’t surprise anyone that 21-year-old Talia Ryder moved so gracefully into singing, directing and acting. But don’t make her choose just one. “I really like making things, whether that’s acting, directing, choreography or all of the above,” she says.

Since her 2020 film debut in the Sundance abortion drama “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” the Indie Spirit nominee has brought her naturalistic acting to “West Side Story,” “Master,” “Do Revenge” and “Hello, Goodbye and Everything in Between.” She returns to the festival circuit with “Dumb Money,” Craig Gillespie’s comedy about the 2021 GameStop stock craze, which had a TIFF Gala premiere Sept. 8. and begins its theatrical rollout Sept. 15.

“It was such an insane moment in time,” says Ryder, who was interviewed before the SAG-AFTRA strike. “Everyone was on their phones, and I felt involved in that story — a good friend was pretty invested in it, financially and emotionally. Instead of [the film] totally being from the perspective of big Wall Street guys, you see how all kinds of people are affected.”

Given her impressive work, it is surprising to learn that the soft-spoken Buffalo, N.Y. native became an actress by chance. “I’ve been a dancer since I was little — that was what I wanted to do. [But] on my 12th birthday, my grandma took me to see ‘Matilda the Musical’ [on B’way] and I begged my mom to let me audition. I didn’t consider it acting — it was the dancing that inspired me — and when they asked, ‘Can you sing?’ I [fibbed], ‘Of course!’” she laughs.

Similar twists of fate guide the protagonist she plays in Sean Price Williams’ road comedy “The Sweet East,” which hits the New York Film Festival on Oct. 10. “I rarely see a teenage character who’s so complex and confusing,” Ryder says. “I think she’s figuring out her point of view as she goes. That’s what’s so beautiful about the character—she’s doesn’t know her place in this world and is desperate to figure it out.”

Ryder helmed a half-hour short about her trip to Cannes with “East,” and several of its crew members worked on her directing debut this summer: her friend Del Water Gap’s music video, “All We Do is Ever Talk,” which she also choreographed. “It’s really nice to be able to create with people that you know and trust,” she says.

Ryder may return to Sundance with Jack Begert’s drama “Little Death,” reportedly playing a woman struggling with addiction. “It’s another strange, sweet indie film I’m excited about,” she says. But the project that seems closest to her heart is James Napier Robertson’s “Joika,” based on the true story of Joy Womack, an American ballerina who made history by being accepted into Russia’s Bolshoi Ballet Academy. It premieres Sept. 9 at the Deauville Film Festival. “I’m trying to keep dance a part of my professional life,” she says. “It was such a dream to be able to do everything all at once.”

Source: variety.com

Talia Ryder stars in Liliana Padilla’s “How to Defend Yourself” under the direction of Padilla, Tony winner Rachel Chavkin and Steph Paul.

Click on the photo below to be redirected to ny1.com to watch a video interview with Talia about her role:

Getting Into Character With Talia Ryder And Saint Laurent

At just 19 years old, there’s something about Talia Ryder that feels wise beyond her years. The NYC-based actress kicked off her career on Broadway and has since performed in award-winning films, broken hearts in major pop music videos, and starred in a Saint Laurent campaign. Despite this quick rise to fame over the last few years, Ryder has managed to maintain a patient work ethic and thoughtful approach to every role she plays — both on stage and off.

Today, she’s playing dress-up in Saint Laurent’s Summer ’22 collection, which pays homage to Yves Saint Laurent’s own artistic inspiration: Paloma Picasso. Archival floral prints wrap across sleek, ’80s-inspired jumpsuits; accessories take shape in bursts of bright red and royal blue; and ultra-boxy silhouettes are balanced with soft, fluid lines. On the streets of downtown New York City, Ryder effortlessly embodies the sense of singularity, freedom, and studied nonchalance that are at play in the collection. Clearly, she’s done this before.

Together with Saint Laurent, Ryder pulls back the curtain on her burgeoning world: where muses are familial and diligence is inherited, where city-minded practicality balances sheer flamboyance, and where the wardrobe is always the answer to finding one’s voice.

Saint Laurent’s summer ’22 collection is inspired by the independent spirit and duality of designer Paloma Picasso. Who or what has inspired your career in acting and your tenacious work ethic?

Probably my mom. Like Paloma Picasso, I feel like I have a parent whose big shoes I have to fill. My mom isn’t in the arts, though; she is a doctor and she’s the most selfless and hardworking person I know. Watching her not only balance being a mother, doctor, and friend — among many other things — but go above and beyond in every area of her life made me realize anything is possible and that I don’t have to limit myself to being just one thing. I’ve watched her face every challenge in her life with such grace and positivity. I always think ‘what would mom do?’ when I’m in a tricky situation.

Saint Laurent is celebrated for its delicate balance of grit, masculinity, and effortless glamour. In many ways, New York City echoes this very design ethos. How has the city guided your career and helped shape your style POV?

Living in New York makes practicality a huge part of your style, or at least it has had that effect on mine. I check my weather app in the morning and have to plan my layers accordingly. It could be cold and rainy in the morning and hot and sunny by the afternoon — and with walking being my preferred method of transportation, I have to plan accordingly. My style has always been influenced by more masculine silhouettes, but recently I feel like I’ve become more curious about combining masculine and feminine elements in my outfits. I really love the shape of the oversized blazers paired with the slim pants (or no pants) and heels in this collection.

Anthony Vaccarello consistently nods to the legacy of Yves Saint Laurent by balancing classical austerity with brooding baroque designs. How do you harmonize your own perspective with those of the characters you play?

My personal style always makes its way into the roles I play, and vice versa. Whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing, you make so many assumptions about a person based on what they wear. Figuring out my character’s wardrobe is probably the most important question to answer when figuring out a character. I think about what I would wear in certain situations and see where I and this person would wear similar or different things. I try to find a middle ground between myself and what’s written on the page because we’ll never be 100 percent the same. I love digging through my personal clothes and finding pieces to use for a role.

Saint Laurent’s new ICARE shopping bag is sculptural yet functional, with two ways to wear it and a roomy, oversized design. Are you more inclined to dress for function or form?

Living in NY doesn’t really give you the option to not dress practically. The ICARE bag is like the bag equivalent of layering.

Paloma red and blue accessories punctuate the collection. How does color impact your world and what role does it play in your personal style?

Color plays a huge part in my personal style. My style and color preferences change depending on my mood. Last month, there were a few weeks where I only wore green. I think the reds and blues in this collection inspire boldness and confidence, which really elevates the looks. Clothes always look better when you feel good in them.

Source: wmagazine.com