No one can deny that 14-year-old Storm Reid absolutely slayed it as the beloved Meg Murry in A Wrinkle In Time. Having previously landed roles in 12 Years a Slave and A Happening of Monumental Proportions, Storm has incredible talent and poise at such a young age in Hollywood. She recently spoke with Her Campus about her preparation for the role, working with actresses like Oprah and Reese Witherspoon and balancing her career with school.
Her Campus: You most recently starred as Meg Murry in A Wrinkle in Time, which is based on Madeleine L’Engle’s book of the same name. Did you read it before or during filming to help you with your role? If so, did you like it?
Storm Reid: Yes, so I read the book two years before I even got the audition for A Wrinkle in Time. I read it in sixth grade for a book report, and I absolutely loved it. But I actually couldn’t imagine myself playing Meg even if I thought about it because Meg wasn’t written as an African-American girl. Once I did get the role, it all clicked and I was so grateful that I did have the background and know the history behind it.
HC: What was it like working with empowering women like Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling?
SR: It was so amazing to have such powerhouses in my corner and to not only be able to share a screen with them, but also be able to learn from them. It’s been a blessing to get to have the experience and have them in my corner. Each and every one of them is just so gracious and so humble and so grounded. To be able to work with people in the industry and that are admired and have such passion is refreshing.
HC: You’ve been an actress for most of your life, is acting something you really enjoy doing or does it feel like work sometimes?
SR: It’s my love and my passionm and feels like it was something I was meant to do. I love every minute of it, and there’s nothing I would rather be doing.
HC: If you decided not to stay being an actress when you’re an adult, what other job would you want to have?
SR: I would want to go to culinary school if I wasn’t an actress because I’d love to be a chef. I decided through acting I’m able to have a platform where I’m able to inspire a lot of people and use my voice, so if I could keep on continuing to do those things, I can have the best of both worlds.
HC: What is it like having to go to school on set? What subjects interest you?
SR: While I have to do a mandatory three hours a day of school when I’m on set or when I’m working, it can be challenging a little bit to fit it within the schedule. I can be tired some days, but I love it. I’m in ninth grade and my favorite subjects are science, math and language arts.
HC: When you’re not on set, what do you like to do in your free time?
SR: I just call myself a regular teenager outside of all the fun stuff and all the press. I love to be with family and friends, read books, cook, be with my dogs and just have a good time. I’m also trying to play catch up on TV and movies because my schedule is so busy right now, but I love Grownish. I’m catching up on the second season of Stranger Things.
HC: Are there any celebrities you have a crush on and are dying to meet?
SR: There aren’t any celebrities that I have a crush on, but I’m dying to meet Meryl Streep and work with her. I think that would be really cool.
Disney’s version of the Madeleine L’Engle classic, A Wrinkle In Time, is out on digital platforms on May 29 and Blue-ray/DVD on June 5!