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We are big fans of small screen streaming (seriously, is there anything cozier than bundling up under a pile of blankets with your iPad for a content binge?), but confession: As cheugy as it sounds, there are a few movies that are truly worthy of the big screen experience (and putting on real pants and venturing out into public to have that experience). Avatar: The Way of Water is one of those movies. 

Avatar: The Way of Water is long-awaited sequel to Avatar, which came out wayyyy back in 2009. During that 13-year (!!!) gap, fans of the original (including anyone who became a fan when they pandemic-binged it on Disney Plus—no shame) had moments when they felt like they were being ghosted by the future of the franchise, but, as of Dec. 16, the wait is officially over and, based on everything we've heard about the movie, it was worth it. 

The plot of the movie has been kept Top Secret, but we know a few things for sure, like 1.) it focuses on the main characters' (Jake Sully and Ney'tiri) family facing a new threat that forces them to explore new parts of their planet, Pandora, 2.) the underwater sequences are so next-level that the director had to invent new technology to even film them, and 3.) Trinity Jo-Li Bliss, who stars as Jake and Ney'tiri's daughter, Tuk, is already our favorite thing about it. 

Keep scrolling for five moments from our phone call with Trinity that will help you get to know her (and have you ready to instant-stan her right along with us). 

Girls' Life: So, we know they had to literally invent new technologies to make this movie happen and that you had to film a lot of scenes in water. Did the actors have to go through any special training to get ready for all of that? 

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss: Oh yeah, there was a lot of training because we're technically transforming into a whole nother species. I mean, the Na'vi [the alien species at the center of the Avatar movies] move so gracefully and with such agility. So we needed to study the Na'vi movement, we needed to study parkour, we studied knife training, sign language—and, of course, freediving, since, we had to hold our breath underwater. Oh, and archery! That was one of my favorites, because I love Katniss Everdeen. 

GL: You just said all of that like it's a casual thing, but that list is so intense! Did all of that come easily to you or were there any moments of anxiety or struggling to get something to click since you were learning, like, a dozen new skills at once? 

Trinity: They didn't come naturally at first. I remember there was one training session in the early days of parkour lessons where I couldn't do this one move—a kind of odd backwards roll—and I was so frustrated. I couldn't do it and I broke down into tears, but my castmate, Britain [Dalton], who plays my older brother, Lo'ak, he came over and gave me this big, brotherly hug. And after that, I had more belief in myself and I also felt like Britain was truly my brother at that point. 

GL: Speaking of new things, your debut album, Confessions of a Preteen, is coming out soon [Jan. 19]. Are there any songs that you're especially excited or nervous for people to hear? 

Trinity: Definitely. In songwriting, there's definitely an honesty that needs to be present. With acting, you can hide behind the character, but in music, it's all about being who you are, so there's always nerves about what people will think about a song. The song I'm most nervous for people to hear is "We Need Some Love," which I wrote when the anti-Asian hate was going on. I'm mixed race and my mom grew up in China and her relatives worked really hard for years to be able to come and visit us, and when they were finally able to, the anti-Asian hate was going on. They felt scared to even put the Chinese lantern out for spring festival or just to live their lives—like they didn't want to go walk the dog because they don't want people to see that there are Asian people living in our house. It was so sad and heartbreaking for the whole Asian community and I put all of my feelings about it into this song. 

GL: That sounds amazing. We can't wait to hear it! And while we're talking about your album, how would describe your sound? Who are some of your favorite artists and biggest influences? 

Trinity: I like to play around with genres, but I would say the album is definitely pop. I have always and will always love Coldplay. They were my first kind of music love and my first concert. I also am always and will always be inspired by Taylor Swift's songwriting and storytelling. I love Meghan Trainor, Alicia Keys, Queen—there are so many more, but those are probably the main ones. 

GL: Based on your Instagram Grid, you're also expert at expressing yourself with fashion (so obsessed with the yellow plaid coat you wore in London this month). What inspires you when it comes to fashion and, since you've been walking so many red carpets for Avatar lately, what's your favorite recent look? 

Trinity: Well first of all, thank you so much. That means a lot. I think I'm still figuring it out when it comes to style, to be honest. This past month or two has been fun figuring out things that I like or don't like—and it's been fun to dress chic, since most of the time I'm at home in my hoodie. I absolutely love the dress I wore to the LA premiere, because I felt like I was glimmering like a wave of water when I wore it. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (@misstrinitybliss)

by Kayleigh R. | 12/17/2022