Rising Stars: Meet Bryanna Reynolds

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bryanna Reynolds.

Bryanna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of working in the film and TV industry and I knew I would end up in America one day, well that was the dream that became my reality. After graduating from Monash University with a Bachelor of Communications I wasn’t too sure what direction I should take next. I was incredibly lucky to get a job with Channel 7 in Melbourne, Australia working as a camera assistant for the broadcast of major sporting events. I did this for about 4 years and then was poached by another network to be a producer on a children’s TV show for Warner Brothers. All the while I had also been pursuing my passion for journalism by working for an independent magazine and covering the premieres of the musical theatre industry in Melbourne as a reporter and interviewing the stars.

This was what truly lit my soul alight and I knew this was the pathway I wanted to go down. I remember asking my boss on Kids’ WB at Channel 9 if I could be on the show, at first it was no and then it was maybe and then it was one day and then finally it was yes. It was one of the best days of my life. So I started presenting on the children’s show as well as producing. It was then in 2019 that I won the green card lottery. Yes, it’s as good as it sounds. So I quit my dream job in little Melbourne, Australia, packed a suitcase and a heart filled with dreams and moved to Hollywood. It was equally thrilling and terrifying. I didn’t have a job lined up and I didn’t know a single person. Before long, I was back on the carpet but this time interviewing the biggest celebrities in the world. I still to this day cannot believe all my dreams came true. Fast forward to 2020 and the pandemic hits – I am stranded in Los Angeles and Australia are not letting everyone back in. I had to wait months for a space at a quarantined hotel to then book a ridiculously priced flight, but it was all worth it as I was reunited with my family.

In 2021, I found myself cast on a reality tv series that pushed my right out of my comfort zone and was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It was called ‘Beauty and the Geek’ and was created by Ashton Kutcher – but has since been redeveloped and I can confirm it was nothing like the previous series, it was an absolute blast and I made lifelong friends. There’s just nothing like having cameras film your every move and I loved it so much. Which brings us to 2022 and I am now living back in Hollywood working as a producer, entertainment reporter and actress. Living and working in Hollywood is just like the movies, every day I’m on a new set, production, meeting new friends and playing characters alongside actors I never thought I would meet. I never say no to an opportunity and I think that’s how I have got to where I am today. I thank my lucky stars every single day.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles I have dealt with would be being separated from my family during the pandemic when it first hit. Australia was very strict and stopped Australians from entering/leaving the country. It was such a nightmare to decide whether to stay in LA or to return home – there was also the huge burden of cost associated with being able to afford a flight home from LA to Melbourne, Australia when one became available. But the moment that I got that flight and was able to do hotel quarantine and return to my family was the best feeling in the world. As a woman in the industry, I have also had to navigate life in a post me-too world, and whilst I hope to one day share my story about the man that threatened my job over me – I have decided to focus on making myself the strongest I can possibly be to help other women out there going through the same thing.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
For the past six years, I have been working as a TV producer for network channels across Australia and the USA. I began my producing career on the children’s TV series ‘Kids’ WB’ which was a variety show airing Warner Brothers cartoons. Then I moved to Los Angeles and began working on the Foxtel original series ‘The Watchlist’. I started out as a producer and then by season 3 I came onboard as a writer as well. The show promoted all the latest movies and TV shows to air on the cable network Foxtel in Australia. Our office was based in Los Angeles and this meant we were attending red carpet premieres, visiting the set’s of shows and movies at Warner Bros, Paramount and Universal to conduct interviews with the cast and crew. The show finished up in July 2022 and I have since moved into a casting producer role on a new yet to be released Warner Bros and Discovery documentary series. I have also recently got back into acting and just landed a recurring background role with a hit HBO series returning for a second season. I love being on set and learning on the job – it is so much fun. Mostly I just love being on set and on camera. I am also reporting for multiple Australian and American outlets as a red-carpet reporter. I attend movie and tv premieres and get to chat to the stars, I love how fast-paced it is. You just never know who you are going to meet. I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing work I get to do in Los Angeles.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes – I lost out on two huge contracts because I caught Covid. I was so upset – it would have been an amazing adventure but I am grateful nonetheless.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @bryannareynolds