Empowerment Series: Adia Smith-Eriksson, Actress in the Role of Ranger West of Netflix’s Action/Sci-Fi film “ATLAS”
I will never forget seeing Wonder Woman on screen for the first time. The superhero symbolized physical beauty but also strength during a time when women were generally perceived as damsels in distress. Princess Diana was stronger than most men, exuded wisdom, and fought for justice and peace. Thankfully, modern society has delivered its version of Wonder Woman, and we see them walk in the mortal world, every day.
Actress Adia Smith-Eriksson was born in the UK and raised in Sweden. She had supporting roles in the film Odd Man Rush with Jack Mulhern and Caspar Phillipsona and television credits from shows like Barry and Bull. Most recently, she played Ranger West in Netflix’s #1 hit film ATLAS, starring Jennifer Lopez, Sterling K Brown, and Simu Liu.
She is a badass, whether, on-screen or off the clock, unafraid of new adventures. AW sat down with the actress to discuss the film, working with an all-star cast, lessons learned from her mother, and her love for adrenalin.
I have always looked up to my mom as a source of strength. She is one of my biggest role models. Honestly, I’d say that in comparison, I did not feel super strong or capable of growing up. She tried putting me in martial arts lessons when I was a child, I ran away from my opponent! I was not ready for it at an early age but it’s one of those things you grow into. Now, I enjoy that type of training like taekwondo and learning stunts! It’s fun being able to take my power back. It has been great to learn these skills, not just to use them on-screen but also to protect myself and have a basic level of defense.
This film has actors like Jennifer Lopez, and Liu Brown leading the cast. Can you share anything you learned on the set from any of them that you will take with you, as you move forward with your acting career? I’d say, stepping up to the level of professionalism and being ready to work but also finding the joy in it. It is something that I truly admire about Sterling. He made it such a fun experience with his super charismatic persona, and cracking jokes. It helped me not take things, too seriously. This was the biggest production I’ve worked on. I somewhat walked in feeling green, but learned it was okay to take space and I deserved to be there, too. I took it all in stride, got comfortable, and remembered we were all here to have fun.
In real life, you are a bad-to-the-bone kind of girl! I read that in addition, to acting, you are also a classically trained pianist. You enjoy hiking, climbing, roller skating, and hitting the slopes! Where does that thirst for adventure come from? Is there anything you have not tried that you would like to? I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie. I love to go climbing. No heli-skiing or anything like that, I don’t have a death wish! I want to toe the line of doing it safely but enjoy the activities. This love kicked off even more post-pandemic. I believe after being restricted and stuck indoors for so long, suddenly, there was an opportunity to go back and do these things. I decided I was going to do more. Soon, I will go skydiving with my friend for the first time in Hawaii. It may be a once-in-a-lifetime thing, I won’t know until I do it. We’ll see.
Your mother is a karate-trained, former police officer. How did growing up with a strong and empowered maternal figure impact you, as you evolved into the woman you are today? It all made sense, growing up. I’m sure she had a soft side but as a strong, empowered, maternal figure, having that present, seeing her strength, feeling it, and knowing it is achievable was powerful. She did not take bullshit from anyone and I love that. She has a no-nonsense attitude, and I try to take that with me. Sometimes, I find myself in certain situations, and ask myself”What would she do? How would she deal with this?”
AW is grateful to Adia for sharing her story with our community. The conversation served as inspiration on a day when it was needed. It was a reminder that we are born strong and have the potential to be and do what we set our minds to. There is incredible beauty in strength. Therefore, when you look at yourself in the mirror, even on your worst day, tap into the wonder woman in you. You are a wonderful being, capable of greatness.
The interview is available on AW Confidential Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and AmazonMusic podcasts. You can also watch it on AW Confidential’s YouTube TV channel.
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