Brianne Tju joined the chat at 8am on a Friday, fresh-faced and ready to wax poetic about the love she has for her work. My conversation with Brianne revealed not only a passionate young woman with a true love of the game; but a person who has taken an active role in creating intentional, grounded experiences for herself and others in a notoriously challenging industry. Fresh off the whirlwind press tour for Uglies, which had been in production since 2021, Brianne sat down with Tidal for a vulnerable conversation.
EB: Hi Brianne! The thing I’m most curious about is your first creative spark. What’s your earliest memory of performing or expressing yourself creatively, and how did it shape who you are today? Was there an “aha” moment where you knew you wanted to pursue acting? How did the path reveal itself?
Brianne Tju: I was a competitive dancer growing up, so dancing was my first love. My mom, also a dancer, put me into it, and I fully threw myself into that world. Dancing was my life, and I came alive on stage. Interestingly, I felt comfortable and supported in group performances but struggled with solo dances, which was an early lesson in the power of community.
Acting came later. My siblings and I started doing commercials and print work when we were young. At eight, I landed my first TV role on Cory in the House on Disney Channel. That’s when I realized I wanted to do this forever. Acting became my primary passion, although I still miss dancing and hope to rediscover it someday.
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EB: It’s so interesting how dance, with its emphasis on movement and storytelling, can act as a foundation for other creative pursuits like acting. It’s beautiful how that early love informs what you do now. What (or who) are some of your creative influences? Are there any pieces of work you turn to for inspiration?
Brianne Tju: When I was 10, I participated in the Sundance Directors Lab with So Yong Kim, who was workshopping a film. Seeing actors like Yun Jin Kim from Lost immerse themselves in a project for no pay just for the creative process was invigorating. Honestly, I've never talked about this before, but she was the one to really show me what acting was; not just as a craft, but as a personal outlet.
The vulnerability she brought into that space left such a mark on me at that age, and that's when I was really like, okay, I want to be an actor. Like, I don't wanna just do commercials in print. I really wanna act. I want to be challenged. So Yong taught me the power of vulnerability, which solidified my desire to pursue acting.
I’ve also always admired actors who can balance comedy and drama, which is something I’m really drawn to. Julia Roberts, Emma Stone, Rose Byrne, and Greta Lee all do that really well. Comedy is my first love, thanks to watching I Love Lucy with my family. I’ve been itching to return to comedy because it requires you to let go completely, which is incredibly freeing.
EB: It’s amazing how much influence those early experiences and actors have had on your career. Vulnerability is such a common thread in great performances. You’ve touched on vulnerability and freedom in performances. What do you think makes a performance unforgettable?
Brianne Tju: It all starts with casting, right? Finding someone who deeply understands the character. But beyond that, a supportive and collaborative environment is key. When you feel safe and listened to, you can truly let go and serve the story. I don’t consciously aim to make a performance unforgettable. All I'm there to do is serve the character and the story and do that to the best of my abilities alongside the people I'm working with, you know? I focus on preparation and being present with my scene partners. Magic happens when all the elements align—the right people, a safe environment, and a shared commitment to the story.
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EB: I love that. It’s such a grounded perspective, and it really underscores the power of collaboration in an industry that can be very individualistic. You seem so intentional about the energy you bring to your work. How do you stay centered and bring your best energy to set?
Brianne Tju: Honestly, it’s still a journey. I’ve learned that my home needs to feel like a sanctuary. It’s my grounding space, where I can recharge and nurture myself. When I’m not working, my life revolves around my friends, family, and other creative outlets. Having passions outside of acting is essential for me, especially in an industry where you don’t always have control over when you’ll work next.
I read a lot. I watch a lot of movies. Like, I've watched over 250 movies this year. That's insane I watched over 250 movies and completed a New Year’s resolution to read one book a month. I’ve also been splitting my time between LA and Philly, which has been unexpectedly healing. Getting out of LA and stepping away from the industry gave me a new perspective and soothed my soul. It was a reminder that there’s so much more to life than work, and that balance is essential for happiness.
Another big part of all of this is nurturing my relationship with my fiancée—our relationship brings me so much joy. I find that when you’re living intentionally in “the real world,” it is such a blessing when you do finally get to step outside and be a part of something else. And so having that perspective is really important for me.
EB: That’s so inspiring—taking time to step back and nurture your personal life must make stepping back into the industry even more meaningful. It’s also incredible that you’ve stayed so curious, watching so many films and reading so much. I imagine those experiences inform your craft in new ways. How else have you found balance in an industry that’s so demanding?
Brianne Tju: I’ve learned to minimize distractions like social media. Most of the time, I delete Instagram from my phone, only re-downloading it when absolutely necessary. This helps me focus on what really matters—nurturing my relationships, focusing on my growth, living a grounded life. There was a time when I was consumed by work and social media, and I felt disconnected from myself. Letting go of those distractions helped me find joy in simpler things, like spending time with my fiancé, cooking meals together, or catching up with friends.
I’ve been in this industry for 20 years, and it’s taken me a long time to realize that without grounding myself, I’d burn out—which I’ve done before. I’ve faced moments where I felt like I was losing myself to the chaos of the industry. Nurturing my relationship with my fiancé, building a home together, and staying connected to my loved ones keeps me balanced. Living a full life outside of work makes stepping onto set feel even more special and magical.
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EB: That’s such an important reminder—that stepping away and creating a sanctuary for yourself can help you rediscover the magic of the work. I’d love to hear more about your experience directing a short film with your best friend, Leanna Liberato. What was that like?
Brianne Tju: It was liberating and terrifying. Leanna and I co-directed, which isn’t something you often see with women. Having her support was everything. When I doubted myself, I believed in her, and she did the same for me. It was a labor of love, and I’m so grateful we pushed through our fears. Directing wasn’t something I ever thought I’d do, but now I’m eager to explore it further.
Directing with Leanna felt like stepping into uncharted territory. There were moments where I felt completely out of my depth, questioning if I could handle it, but having Leanna by my side made all the difference. We leaned on each other, and when I couldn’t believe in myself, I trusted her belief in me. There’s something so powerful about that kind of partnership. It’s rare, and I treasure it deeply.
EB: That sounds so empowering—like a true testament to the strength of creative collaboration. It must have been so gratifying to see your vision come to life together. How did that experience deepen your understanding of filmmaking?
Brianne Tju: We poured our hearts into the project, and it became more than just a short film—it was a testament to our creativity, resilience, and the power of women supporting women. Seeing our vision come to life was surreal, and it gave me a newfound respect for every person involved in the filmmaking process. It’s such a collaborative art form, and being behind the camera opened my eyes to all the moving pieces that make a project work.
EB: You’ve said, “Visibility is the cure for ignorance.” That’s such a powerful statement. What does that mean for your work in 2025?
Brianne Tju: Visibility allows us to understand and empathize with each other. It’s why uplifting women and underrepresented voices is so important. I’ve experienced how women in power aren’t always listened to, but building communities that support each other can change that. Working with organizations like Not Your Daddy’s Films, which uplifts women and nonbinary filmmakers, has been inspiring. I want to continue creating spaces where women feel empowered to tell their stories.
For me, visibility isn’t just about being seen—it’s about creating space for authentic stories to be told. Growing up, I rarely saw people who looked like me on screen, and I know how much that lack of representation shapes how you see yourself and your potential. I’ve been incredibly lucky to find mentors and communities that have lifted me up, and now I want to pay it forward. I want to work on projects that challenge stereotypes and showcase the diversity of human experience.
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EB: That’s such a beautiful mission. Shifting gears a bit, you’ve mentioned a change in mindset from competition to collaboration. What prompted that shift for you?
Brianne Tju: You know, there was a point when I was so miserable and found myself becoming a total jaded pessimist. And that was not that's not who I am. I've been a hopeless romantic about most things in my life for as long as I can remember. Ironically, the year that I had the most work I’ve ever had in my life was when I started to hit this wall.
I thought okay, I'm getting everything I ever wanted when I was younger, which was just to work all the time. I thought getting that was supposed to fix everything in my life, but that wasn't the case. I was really unhappy and a lot of ways, and I wasn't taking care of my nurturing my personal life and myself. I just kept thinking, what's my next job? What's my next job? To the point where it was distracting me from enjoying the job I was on. And I just realized I couldn't keep going like this.
I started to think about quitting acting because I thought I just didn't love it anymore. But then I realized that I was just taking it all for granted and I was not operating from gratitude. It sounds corny, but I needed an attitude adjustment. Of course, this wasn’t simple, it wasn’t like switching a button—I had to actively work on my mindset every day. But looking at all of that in the mirror and doing the inner work has allowed me to reconnect with this industry that I’ve always found so magical in a healthier way.
I had to learn to reengage with my work without losing my sense of self; and in turn, I learned that the stronger my sense of self, the stronger my voice became. There’s this pressure in the industry to constantly hustle and prove yourself, and I think that fosters a toxic sense of competition, especially among women. I used to walk into audition rooms and feel like everyone was my rival. It’s exhausting and lonely to carry that mindset. Over time, I realized it wasn’t sustainable. A huge part of this shift happened when I started surrounding myself with women who were kind, supportive, and willing to lift each other up. Those relationships showed me the power of collaboration.
EB: That’s so profound—realizing that abundance and collaboration can bring so much more fulfillment than competition. It’s such a meaningful shift, and I respect your vulnerability.
Let’s end on a fun note; you’ve expressed interest in comedy and romcoms. Do you have a favorite trope you’d love to play?
Brianne Tju: I love the “enemies to lovers” trope. There’s something compelling about watching characters grow and learn to love each other over time. One of my favorite romcoms is Notting Hill, where two unlikely people come together despite their differences. I’d love to bring that kind of story to life.
Romcoms hold such a special place in my heart because they’re about hope and connection. The “enemies to lovers” trope, in particular, is so fun because it allows for tension, humor, and genuine character growth. I love stories where people challenge each other and come out better for it. There’s something so satisfying about watching characters overcome their differences and realize they’re perfect for each other.
I’d also love to explore a role where comedy and heartfelt moments intersect. So we’ll see what the future holds!
EB: Maybe there’s a Notting Hill Reboot on the horizon. Thank you so much, Brianne. This has been such a beautiful conversation.
Brianne Tju: Thank you! I feel like I just had therapy, haha. It’s not often I get to be this vulnerable. ❤
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