Trinity Jo-Li Bliss is quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s most captivating young stars.
Widely known for her breakout role as Tuk in James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water, Bliss makes a return to Pandora in the highly anticipated sequel Avatar: Fire and Ash, which is set for release on December 19th. Today, HOLR sits down with the multi-talented actor, singer, and songwriter to discuss how she’s charting her own creative path. Keep reading to learn how Bliss is balancing blockbuster storytelling with music that reflects her authenticity, imagination, and joy for the craft.
Talk to us about how you got your start in the industry.
I was just like any kid who loved playing make-believe, singing their favorite songs, and, in general, being creative. I guess I’m just lucky that my parents noticed my love for these things, encouraged me to go for them, and would keep an eye out for opportunities for me to really just continue to have fun, for example, the local-community-spring break-musical theatre camp. I was enamoured with movies, reading, stories, characters, all things music.
Long story short, the journey unraveled slowly and surely to where I am today, and I’ve still barely gotten started! I’m grateful for everything so far and excited for what’s to come. I really love this stuff!!
You’ve described the cast of Avatar as “masters of the craft” who mentored you. What’s one piece of advice or lesson from working with legends like James Cameron, Sam Worthington, or Zoe Saldaña that has really stuck with you?
Every conversation I have with Jim and my adult cast members, as well as the conversations I had with our producer Jon… feels and felt like life-changing ones. I love our deep conversations and our small talk. I love their advice, but I also love talking about fun things like books or zodiac signs.
I admire the way Zoe puts her all into a character physically and emotionally. It’s really inspiring to hear her talk about her process. She’s so inquisitive to the things around her and brings those discoveries into her work. It’s so fun to work with her and just play. I am honoured to be her screen daughter.
Avatar’s “The Volume” is a very unique filming environment. How do you prepare yourself mentally and emotionally to bring such a fantastical world and character like Tuktirey to life?
Every day was such a fun chance to play. I really got to use my imagination for what’s around me and also how Tuk would be reacting, even if we were in a gray sound stage or a tank instead of literal Pandora. Stuff like being emotional with a tennis ball is definitely a practice, haha.
Also, performance capture is such an actor-to-actor thing, and direction is so important. Jim really takes the time and detail to lead us through all the things, like what’s going on around us and what’s going on in our characters. Once we’re all in the moment, it’s just so much fun and just normal acting at the end of the day.
You’ve trained extensively in Na’vi movement, free diving, archery, parkour, and more. How do you think that training helped deepen your connection to the character?
I’d already been getting into Tuk’s head, and the training helped me get into her body. It truly deepened my connection and understanding to her because I got to learn about the world, culture, and things Tuk has grown up with, as well as the new Metkayina ways she’s having to adapt to. After learning those things, I had fun adding in who Tuk is and playing around with her specific quirks. Our 3 months of training before filming was an awesome time where I got to know my cast and crew members!!
Alongside your acting career, you’re also a talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. How does your music influence your approach to acting?
Music and acting really influence each other. They’re both different avenues of storytelling that I have so much fun connecting with and exploring in. Everything I work on, whether it’s music or acting, channels into the person I am, which leads back to how I express myself creatively.
With music, it’s such a self-reflection. It’s about being authentic to who I am.
With acting, I get to learn about other situations and lives when stepping into different shoes.
Both acting and songwriting thrive off of observation and then playing with those discoveries as well as curiosities.
What’s one personal or professional goal you’re most excited to pursue in the next year?
A big goal of mine has been sharing my songs with you. I’ve been working on new music for so long, and to get to finally share it makes me burst with excitement. It’s also a bit vulnerable. In fact, I am releasing a single “you make me wanna dance” on November 21st! I’m so excited about it! “You make me wanna dance” is the kickoff of a lot that’s to come for me very soon. It’s about the dances and parties I barely got invited to, the moments I almost belonged to, and about the person I really hoped would take my hand before the night ended for the metaphorical and literal dance. All of those yearning feels! I really hope it makes people wanna dance because that’s what I felt when writing it.
On the acting side, I really would love to do a romcom! I’m also curious to delve into the horror genre at some point soon. A personal goal I have is to get my license!! (I still haven’t even started the permit process, haha!) I’m excited to keep doing the things I love and to keep challenging myself every day.
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