Conversations with Sianoa Smit-McPhee

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sianoa Smit-McPhee.

Hi Sianoa , can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I started my career in show business at two years old. My dad ( Andy McPhee) is an actor so as soon as I was born, I was watching him on TV, which made me think that this completely normal, and something that I can do.

I was enrolled in a modeling school. When I was two, the school only took on children five and up, but once my mom dropped me off for a trial day, the school realized how independent, and mature I was for my age, so they allowed me to stay in the school, and now be the youngest member.

I was enrolled in dance schools, and acting schools, anything ShowBusiness I wanted to spend my time doing. I went on a drama camp with my acting class when I was four years old.

Since my dad was regularly on TV, I adapted the mind set of ShowBusiness into my entire being, since I thought that was fun and such a great accomplishment that I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
My brother (Kodi Smit-Mcphee) and I growing up would always create theater productions for our parents to watch, or we would make our own shows that we would film on our Mac laptop. Literally we were always performing, and finding ways to entertain.

It’s something that comes so naturally to me, and I love putting in the work to expand my talent. To this day, I am so infatuated with everything show business, and it’s still my favorite thing to do.

My career up until this point, it’s such a blessing, and I have so much fun. I’ve worked for years on soap operas, Disney Channel series, I had a series on HBO for years, A bunch of super fun movies, etc.

I make my own music with my husband ( Lil Johnnie ). I love creating, and directing music videos for myself and him. I love being able to work with my partner on our passion and profession.

When people ask me what I love most about acting, music or performing in general, I always say I just love the entire process. Literally, everything about it, is my favorite, from the preparation of studying a character, or coming up with lyrics for my music, rehearsing, and blocking out for filming a scene. I love long tedious day is on set, I love coming together and collaborating to create an art piece that I love, and hopefully the audience loves. I am grateful and in love with every second that I get to do something under the ShowBusiness umbrella.

I was accepting an award for my HBO series (Hung), and the event planner pulled me to the side and told me Mickey Rooney would like to speak to me, so she took me over to his table, and he told me that he needed to just let me know that I look like a classic Hollywood actress, and I couldn’t leave without him telling me.

I have 1 million fabulous experiences just like that, that I absolutely cherish forever and I’m so grateful for.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Growing up as an actress on a soap opera, that’s on TV every night of the week, and simultaneously still going School in my breaks in between filming, is grueling, but so much fun I loved it. But before I moved to a more professional school in California, that’s allocated just to people in the industry, public school was a mess, since the school would divide into being completely jealous of me, because I am on TV, or the other half would completely want to be my friend, there was no middle. It was just love me or hate me. So I actually like to going to work on set filming, rather than being at school.

Once I left school, then I could just completely focus on working in the industry, which is so fulfilling, and any struggles along the way, are always going to happen, and you only give up when you’re dead. You can’t get hung up on if you don’t get the audition you wanted, or anything like that, because any doubtful thoughts like that will affect your ability to perform. I love taking on any critiques so I can expand my talent, but I don’t let things get to me where it will ruin my soul. You have to have tough skin for this industry or it will break you emotionally. The show must go on.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a recording artist and actress born in Australia, based in Los Angeles.

I’ve been told that I’m very intense in my work, which I believe helps me stand out. I can play very intense characters easily, but I can also have a great diversity and range playing any characters.

Music is completely all my productions, so I get to curate and direct that completely without any authority. So I can be totally myself. I love that.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Authenticity. Don’t let the industry mold you.

Intense passion for what you’re working on.

Kindness to all your cast & crew members.

Respect everything, the environment you are working in needs you to be focused, there are a lot of people doing one million different jobs on set, and you need to pay attention, and know how to behave on a production.

My love for art is why I’m in this industry. I work on my craft to continue to evolve my talent. I also believe in myself so much, while still staying grounded. No one can take my talents, and my unique essence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2d85fh49RVjQZjbBGUcE9A?si=NqKDChHLSXS0ITbXuyUGfw
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sianoa_?igsh=MTBpcmhmaG1sbDJmMA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@sianoa?si=CZD_4m7D1cNpsI3s