Who’s Watching? introduces a rising screen star, who details their latest role, and how they got there, in their own words. In Avatar: The Way of Water, James Cameron’s highly anticipated sequel to his critically acclaimed 2009 film Avatar, actress Bailey Bass plays Tsireya, a graceful freediver from the newly introduced aquatic Metkayina Clan. Aside from acting, Bass is a songwriter and recently penned singer Madison Lagares’s snowy snap-pop single “The Holidays.”
Name: Bailey Bass
Age: 19
Astrological sign: Gemini, on the Gemini-Cancer cusp
Born: Nashville, T.N.
Where she lives now: New York, N.Y. When I was 2, I moved with my mom and my younger brother to Brooklyn. I grew up in a predominantly Russian neighborhood, so I was immersed in Belarusian culture but also Russian culture and Kazakh culture. And I grew up speaking Russian and I love it. I love being immersed in my culture because even though I've never been to Belarus, I feel like I know so much about it.
Her first gig: My first acting role was when I was five-and-a-half in a My Little Pony commercial, and I actually ended up doing that commercial twice because they brought me back. I think it was partly because I also loved it so much — and I got to take My Little Pony toys home!
Her breakout moment: Interview with the Vampire, [which] I filmed after Avatar: [The Way of Water]. I got to play Claudia, which was an absolute honor, and I'm so grateful to play her. She is feral. She experiences every emotion, and I think I got to do the actor's dream, which is doing almost everything on screen, from a period piece to elaborate costumes to speaking a dialect to master — because Claudia experiences so much in this show — to getting to deal with special effects and makeup and being a part of a small ensemble cast.
What she turns to for inspiration: I turn to the real world. I turn to my family. I turn to spending more time with my friends. I turn to shutting off my phone and being present. I can only do the best performances if I'm a full person on my own. I've really connected [with] or appreciated actors that have gone through really hard things in their life growing up and then you see how that transformed their performances in their career. And I really think all the hard times and challenges that I had growing up influenced and added beautiful elements to my performances.
Who she leans on for support: Throughout filming, I definitely lean on the crew a lot. They're really supportive but they also bring me down to earth. I come on set and I start off the bat letting them know that I am an honest person that appreciates brutal honesty, so they know to not treat me like I'm a princess. I don't want any of that. I want them to tell me if I'm being an A-hole. When I'm working with costumes, hair, and makeup, I want to know their opinions. I want it to be a collaborative effort because TV shows and movies cannot be done without a crew of extremely talented people, and I love talking to them. And having those normal conversations that have nothing to do with acting in between scenes really helps me.
Her latest role: In Avatar: The Way of Water, I play Tsireya, who's part of the Metkayina Clan, which is the new clan introduced in this film. They are products of their environment, and because they're surrounded by water, they have a slightly different build, which I'm excited for audiences to see because they can swim. And Tsireya is a strong freediver. She's similar to [Zoe Saldaña’s] Neytiri. And she's super kind, has a big heart, and bonds with the Sully kids very quickly. And there's some budding romance that happens as well that I'm excited for audiences to see.
What she’s streaming: I recently binged all of Game of Thrones in one month, which I would not recommend to anyone because it took me a week to recover. I watched [the prequel] House of the Dragon first actually, and then I started watching Game of Thrones simultaneously. I want to be a Targaryen so bad. I was obsessed with the dragons. It would be a dream to be part of House of the Dragon one day — or the Game of Thrones universe.
FAQs
I watched [the prequel] House of the Dragon first actually, and then I started watching Game of Thrones simultaneously. I want to be a Targaryen so bad. I was obsessed with the dragons. It would be a dream to be part of House of the Dragon one day — or the Game of Thrones universe.
How did Bailey Bass get her role in Avatar? ›
Bailey Bass was 12 years old when she auditioned for Avatar: The Way of the Water, the highly anticipated second installment of the film series that debuted in theaters back in 2009. She didn't put much thought into going after her role of Tsireya, a young Na'vi from the Metkayina clan, at the time.
How did Bailey Bass get famous? ›
Bailey Bass(I)
At Age 13, after auditioning among thousands of young actors, she was cast as Tsireya, in James Cameron's Avatar sequels, encompassing Avatar: The Way of Water which went on to become the 3rd highest grossing film of all time, and the upcoming Avatar's 3 through 5.
Is Bailey Bass leaving an interview with The Vampire? ›
However, the most recent season replaced Bailey Bass in the role with Delainey Hayles. As per Variety, Bass mentioned the reason behind her abrupt exit in a statement, saying that she had to let go of the show due to “a variety of unforeseen circ*mstances.”
How old was Bailey Bass in Interview with the Vampire? ›
By using an older actor, it also meant there would be no aging issues and no restrictions under child labor laws. That's because a very young looking 19-year-old Bailey Bass was cast to take on the role.
How did Grace's Avatar get pregnant in Avatar? ›
Unless that theory is true, Grace was impregnated by someone. Kiri's brothers joke that the scientist Norm could be her father. The movie does not reveal much information about the birth of Kiri. It is unclear whether Kiri was conceived before Grace died and her avatar carried her to term.
Who turned down the lead role in Avatar? ›
In Short. Matt Damon had turned down 'Avatar' due to his commitment tp Bourne films. Damon was recently seen in 'Oppenheimer'. 'Avatar' was directed by James Cameron.
What race is Bailey Bass? ›
Bass is biracial; her father is Black and her mother is Belarusian. She feels very connected to New York, where she was raised.
Does Bailey Bass have a dad? ›
Born into a multicultural family, Bailey Bass's parents contributed unique ethnicities to her diverse heritage. Her mother is from Belarus, but Bass also has black roots.
Who was All About That Bass originally written for? ›
Trainor, who as a teenager struggled with her negative body image, was inspired to write the song to promote self-acceptance. Some music critics praised "All About That Bass"'s production and memorable message, while others called it a novelty song and criticized the failure of its lyrics to empower every body type.
And he tries to fill that void with Claudia (Bailey Bass), a 14-year-old Black girl he rescues with barely a breath in her body. At Louis' request, Lestat begrudgingly turns Claudia into a vampire to gain new life. She then lives with them as their daughter.
Why is there a new Claudia? ›
The actress previously starred as Tsireya in Avatar: The Way of Water and is expected to reprise the role in the upcoming Avatar movies. As a result, scheduling conflicts might be to blame for the recast of Claudia in Interview with the Vampire season 2, but no one could fault Bass for putting James Cameron first.
Who is the female vampire in Interview with a Vampire? ›
The film chronicles their time together, and their turning of young Claudia (Kirsten Dunst) into a vampire. The narrative is framed by a present-day interview, in which Louis tells his story to a San Francisco reporter (Christian Slater).
Why isn't Bailey Bass in season 2? ›
“Due to a variety of unforeseen circ*mstances I'm unable to return to Anne Rice's 'Interview with the Vampire' for the second season,” Bass said in a statement. “Playing Claudia has been a dream role and an incredible ride. I wish Delainey the best of luck in taking over.
How old is Claudia in the books? ›
Adaptation note: in the book, Claudia was 5 years old. In the 1994 movie, she was played by 10-year-old Kirsten Dunst. Bass is 19 playing a 14-year-old. While a vicious 5-year-old vampire is shocking and depraved, it makes sense to age her up for an on-screen appearance.
How old is Armand vampire Chronicles? ›
Armand is a fictional character in The Vampire Chronicles novels written by Anne Rice. At the end of the series, he is approximately 500 years of age. His outward appearance is that of a beautiful adolescent boy, 5'6, with curly auburn hair, large brown eyes and slender fingers.
How did the colonel in Avatar become an Avatar? ›
After destroying the Omatikaya Hometree In the battle of the Hallelujah Mountains, Quaritch met an untimely end in his final confrontation against Jake Sully and Neytiri. Fifteen years later, Colonel Quaritch returns to Pandora, reborn as a blue, 9-foot-tall recombinant (recom) – a fully-autonomous avatar.
How did Jack Champion get the role in Avatar? ›
Champion booked his part in Avatar at age 12, after four months of extensive auditions. He was cast as Spider, a human teenager living amongst Na'vis on Pandora.
How did Zoe Saldana get casted for Avatar? ›
"I was still living in New York at the time, and they would put me on tape," Saldaña said, recounting the various, seemingly random tasks requested of her by casting directors Mali Finn and Margery Simkin. "Sometimes it was like 'Bring some tight stuff, I want you to climb and do some cartwheels. ' And I'm like 'okay.
How did the doctor in Avatar have a daughter? ›
Kiri is the inquisitive and intelligent adopted daughter of Jake Sully and Neytiri. Not long after Grace Augustine's death, her dormant avatar was discovered to be pregnant, and Jake and Neytiri adopted the child when she was born.
