TRENDING

When Mykal-Michelle Harris isn't lighting up our TV screens as the *hilarious* Santamonica Johnson on ABC's Mixed-ish, she's inspiring us with her positive mindset and super sweet vibe. We chatted with the rising star, who is only eight years old and who you may know from her viral vid about how much she looks up to Serena Williams, all about Mixed-ish, fashion and her empowering advice for kids everywhere.

Girls' Life: What's it like playing Santamonica? 

Mykal-Michelle: In the first season, Santamonica is sassy, she's fashionable—a lot more fashionable than me, actually! She's definitely the highlight of the family and she will tell is like it is. I think Season Two will be the same thing, but taking it to a higher level. There's way more family time and we're all starting to get closer. She's even more fashionable and still sassy, though I think her parents are trying to reel it in a little more! 

Girls' Life: Are you similar to Santamonica?

Mykal-Michelle: A little bit, but when it comes to the sass? Absolutely not. Like, I'll be talking to my mom in between scenes and she'll say, "You know you wouldn't be able to get away with that in real life, right?!" I'm definitely a leader though, so we're the same in that way. And I like fashion, too. I'm the youngest on set and it's like a family, like a family away from my family. We play games and all that stuff. I never get out of character, so I'll say "hi, Mom" to my onscreen mom and my mom will think I'm talking to her and it gets confusing.

Girls' Life: What's your style like?

Mykal-Michelle: There are a lot of amazing outfits my mom picks out. I think she should be a clothing designer because she picks the best outfits! I always love the dresses she picks out for me. My favorite is this jean dress, it's as comfy as sweats but as a dress, it even has a hoodie and stuff. It's really snuggly but also cute. I wore it for Thanksgiving. Sometimes I also design my own outfits or put [looks] together. I sketch out designs and stuff like that. 

Girls' Life: What do you do when you're not acting?

Mykal-Michelle: I love to draw and color. And when I'm not acting on a set, sometimes my brother and I will put on shows or plays for the holidays. That's how much I love acting. I want to take it home, not just leave it on set.  

Girls' Life: Who are your role models?

Mykal-Michelle: Definitely still Serena Williams. I still play tennis with my dad, and when he's watching tennis I always burst in the room to ask if Miss Serena is on. To see a woman on TV, especially a Black woman, is so empowering for a little Black girl like me. I haven't met her yet so I still want to meet her. I definitely look up to all the Black women on TV, like Miss Kamala [Harris], she is going to be in the second-highest office in the world and that is so inspiring because I want to be like her when I grow up. 

Girls' Life: What are you hoping for the future?

Mykal-Michelle: When I grow up I want to be a director or a producer, a creator of shows and I also want to have my own fashion line. Maybe when I grow up I can make a movie with the Obamas. I also want to meet them and it would be the most amazing movie in the world.

Girls' Life: What's your advice for other kids out there?

Mykal-Michelle: Keep pushing to follow your dreams no matter what anyone tells you. You are going to get a lot of rejections but if you keep going someday you will get that yes.

Happy Holidays!

Catch Mykal-Michelle when Mixed-ish returns on Jan. 26 on ABC.

Images provided by Mykal-Michelle Harris. Parts of this interview were edited and condensed for clarity. Abigail Adams contributed to reporting.

by Katherine Hammer | 12/22/2020