We’re going into the NYOTA archives to find some of our favorite interviews that weren’t originally shared on the site.

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss was so excited about her “Avatar: The Way of Water” audition that she arrived one week early. Luckily for her, that eagerness paid off and landed her the coveted role of Tuk. Bliss talked to NYOTA about the relatability of her character, creating real familial bonds with her co-stars, and her other passion: making music.

Do you remember what initially sparked your interest in acting and performing?

When I was 5 years old, my mom signed me up for a musical theater summer camp. It took some convincing because the age requirement for the camp was 6-10. I got a singing part for the “Beauty and the Beast” production! It sparked my interest to do more musical theater and take acting classes. I also started studying piano when I was 5. I always looked forward to every recital and every opportunity to play for people! 

What was the audition process like for Avatar: The Way of Water? Going into the audition, did you have an understanding of the significance of the film?

I received the audition notice at the end of February in 2017. I was so excited for the audition that I accidentally showed up a week early! Our amazing casting director, Margie, was kind enough to see me. I went back a couple of times after that and finally met Jim in June at the MBS campus. As we were driving away from the MBS campus, my mom’s phone rang…I found out I got the part! I was shouting through the roof!

I was one month old when the film was released, so I didn’t totally grasp the significance of the film at the beginning. I’d heard about Jim and very much admired him as I’d watched and learned about his famous deep-sea dive at school. I started watching the movie before the first callback and truly loved it! I remember trying to speak Na’vi and moving like a Na’vi during the callbacks! Maybe it helped? Haha! 

When it came to embodying Tuk. What did you do to get into character and prepare to play someone of an entirely different species?

Tuk and I are both from mixed families, and we are both the youngest of the siblings. We both have a bit of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) syndrome. We both love our family and our homeland! I needed to learn how to speak, move, swim, and fight like her! I went through three months of training to learn the Na’vi language and accent, archery, Na’vi movement, free diving, etc. I also needed to be able to build the world around her in my mind. I had the chance to go to Pandora at Disney World with my castmates to experience Pandora before filming started! Also, Jim would always talk to me in great detail to help me understand the world around me for each scene and help me transition into Tuk, physically and emotionally!

As the youngest, Tuk always hopes for her siblings to include her and see her as an equal. Do you find that Tuk is a character that most viewers can relate to?

All the youngest siblings will be able to relate to how she feels. Being the youngest doesn’t mean we’re weaker or that our thoughts are insignificant. Young people have their views and voices that deserve to be heard! Also, regardless, old or young, probably every one of us sometimes has the feeling of being under-estimated and being the underdog, and we all have a desire to be heard.  

Throughout the film, the message of trusting your family and getting through things with your family is a large part of the story. How did you and your co-stars create authentic familial bonds that would translate on screen?

The young cast completed three months of training together before filming started. We really got to bond during training! We were speaking Na’vi to each other, practicing archery, parkour, and diving in and out of the water together every day. We were always there for each other! One time, I had a lot of trouble with a parkour move and couldn’t do it, and cried. Britain came to give me a big hug and told me everyone was having a hard time with the move and that I wasn’t alone! Then, everyone sat down around me. At that moment, I knew I could always count on Britain as my brother, and we felt like a big family! We also went to experience Pandora in the Animal Kingdom of Disney World. There’s nothing like flying through the sky of Pandora and journeying through its wonders! Making bird calls together on the “Ikran” in the Flight of Passage ride made us feel more like a Na’vi family! During filming, we schooled together and did many scenes together. We were always there to give each other support and high-fives. Zoe and Sam immediately took us under their wing, too! Zoe is very protective of us, and Sam is a fun set-dad! Zoe made sure we had healthy snacks, and Sam would tell us to relax and enjoy the moments! Sig made us feel like she’s our big sis! So on-screen and off-screen, we behave just like a big, loving family. 

When the Sully family became part of the Metkayina, there were numerous underwater scenes. Was there a lot of training that went into shooting underwater? Tell our readers a bit about that experience.

Yes, we went through many months of training with world-renowned free driving coaches. We learned to have natural facial and body expressions when we hold our breath in the water so that we don’t look like a puffer fish (hehe) and can successfully do our job as an actor. Jim and the coaches always put safety first! There were some funny incidents where I had to signal to the safety crew that I was ok, and also tune into Tuk, who’s very stressed and not ok in the scene! 

Filming Avatar: The Way of Water, as well as the consequent films, was a years-long experience. In that time, do you feel that you’ve grown as an actress?

Yes, I have learned a lot from this experience and have grown as an actor. First of all, I get to work with Jim, one of the best directors of all time. I learned a lot from him. Second of all, I had the opportunity to work with Sigourney, Zoe, Sam, and even Kate! Doing scenes alongside these masters has taught me so much. Also, every young cast member is extremely talented. Working with them is so much fun and inspiring.  

Outside of acting, you also make music. Would you hope to one day combine your passion for acting and singing and do a musical?

Yes, I love making music!! It is the way I journal my life and make sense of what’s happening around me and how I’m feeling. I also really enjoy sharing my music with family, friends, and audiences. I did a lot of musical theater before, and I’d love to bring acting and music together in a musical or some such format.  

You came out with a few different singles in 2022. When writing lyrics, are you often pulling from personal experiences or finding inspiration in the world around you?

Yes, I released four singles in 2022, and my debut album, Confession of a Preteen, will be released on the 20th of January! I’m so excited! The album includes these four songs and six new songs. I have been writing songs since I was 6 years old. Writing songs has been a way for me to sort of journal or diary my life. My songs are inspired by my experiences, how I feel, and the world around me!  

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Fix your mind and eyes on your dream and never give up!

This story first ran in Star Power Vol . 41. Read more from the Issue here.