We’re going into the NYOTA archives to find some of our favorite interviews that weren’t originally shared on the site.
Interview by Carol Wright | Photographer: Jeff Vespa | Hair/Makeup: Brittany Gharring
Annaka Fourneret started her career at only 9 months old after a casting director for GAP chased her father down while they were shopping at The Grove. Now at 15, she can be seen in the hit show The Really Loud House playing the competitive and loyal Lynn Loud. Fourneret talked to NYOTA about what drew her to the role of Lynn, working with Maya Rudolph in Loot, and directors she hopes to work with in the future.
Your introduction to the entertainment industry came through modeling. Do you find that many of the skills you learned as a model are transferable skills you can apply to your acting career?
As a model, I always felt like I was putting on a character depending on the brand and the photographer. You bring yourself to the character, but it’s not a total representation of who you are personally. That’s why the whole ‘Are you a grumpy brand or a smiley brand’ scene in Triangle of Sadness is so funny because there’s an element of truth.
One of your favorite actresses is Anya Taylor-Joy. What is it about her performances that you find inspiring, and is there a certain approach she takes to acting that you hope to emulate in your own work?
Anya has an amazing ability to express vulnerability while remaining in her own power. It’s a theme throughout her performances. From The Menu to The Queen’s Gambit to Split, and even The Witch – when she should be powerless, you always feel her character has a strong sense of self, that even when she’s not in control, she’s not lost and that’s what makes her performance so compelling.
Due to the fact that you grew up between Los Angeles and the south of France, do you have an appreciation for French cinema, and would you hope to be in a French film one day?
Absolument, j’adore le cinema de francais. But not only French cinema. I am obsessed with cinema from all over the world. My Netflix queue is 80% foreign language. That’s what is so amazing about streaming platforms. It has made global cinema accessible to everyone.
You currently play Lynn Loud in The Really Loud House. What initially drew you to the character and made you want to audition for the role?
I was a big fan of the animated series, but honestly, I wasn’t sure that the role of Lynn was a good fit. I believe you should always take chances and try things that are new and different, so I went for it. And now I can see the similarities between us so clearly. We both give everything our all and are super loyal.
Lynn is extremely passionate and competitive, but she also has a playful side that is shown at times, for example, when she pretends to be a sports announcer during “The Chore Thing.” Is it fun to build out a character with so many different sides to her?
That is one of my favorite episodes. I love that Lynn is game for any challenge, any adventure and that she is laser-focused on her goals. My favorite part of playing Lynn is definitely the sports I get to learn and all of my stunt work.
There is a lot of love for the Loud family, no matter what the iteration, and a lot of that is due to the relatability of the characters and family dynamics. Does the cast spend a lot of time together on and off set to create genuine bonds?
We do, actually. We truly have become one big family. We pretty much hang out all the time on and off set. If it’s not all of us together, it’s a few of us who are not working. And we genuinely all get along. Unfortunately, that is not always the case on sets – we are lucky.
You had the opportunity to work on the show Loot and act alongside Maya Rudolph and Nat Faxon. Did you get to bring a lot of yourself to that role?
Alex is by far the closest to my own personality. She’s just a typical teen whose universe revolves around her friends and family. I was hoping they would bring Alex back for Season 2, and she would scheme and meddle to make Molly fall in love with Arthur. Maybe that will be season 3, hint hint.
In the future, you want to do a horror film or psychological thriller. Is there a particular director you would hope to work with on a project of that nature?
Anything by Blumhouse or James Wan, Ari Aster (Midsommar), Jordan Peele (Us), Issa López (Tigers Are Not Afraid), and Robert Eggers (The Witch). There are so many.
You also have an interest in fashion. Who are some actors whose sense of style you love or are inspired by?
I love Zendaya’s style. Her collaboration with Law Roach is always electrifying but never feels contrived. I also love Rosé from Black Pink; her style is fashion-forward but restrained, and of course, I love what Anya does. She makes choices that are interesting but feel true to her.
What advice do you have for aspiring actors?
I don’t think I’m really in a position yet to give advice, I’m just starting out, but I can tell you what works for me. Know that there is a role for everyone and what’s meant for you will find you. Also, don’t focus on what other actors are doing/booking; just focus on the path in front of you and what you are doing because, really, that’s the only thing in your control. Lastly, have faith in yourself. You got this!
This story first ran in Star Power Volume 42. Read more from the issue here.
