BY IRVIN RIVERA

Dress: FASHION DRUG by ANAHIT, Tights: CALZEDONIA, Heels: DOLCE VITA

Joanna Sotomura’s path from the idyllic shores of Hawaii to the bright lights of Hollywood is a vivid tapestry of perseverance and passion. In Hawai'i, young Joanna was often found indoors, captivated by local theater performances at Diamondhead Theatre and films at Kahala Mall. Encouraged by her father, she pursued acting, eventually studying at Loyola Marymount University. "I had a professor there who truly believed that I could work in film and television," Joanna recalls. After a brief stint with agents who dropped her for not booking jobs, her determination only grew stronger, leading her to audition tirelessly. Today, she stands proudly, promoting her latest project, “Sunny”, on Apple TV+.
In “Sunny”, Joanna embodies a character whose enthusiasm mirrors her own. On set, she deftly navigates new technology, projecting her face onto a 3-foot tall robot, a challenge she embraced with curiosity and excitement. Behind the scenes, Joanna relishes moments like an emotionally charged episode where she explored every facet of Sunny's personality. Her career, studded with roles in acclaimed projects like “Emma Approved” and “Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye”, showcases her versatility and deep-seated love for storytelling. Reflecting on her journey, Joanna muses, "Acting has been my passion for so long, and I still am pinching myself that I got to work on Sunny."

How are you? What’s keeping you busy and creative lately? 

Hi, I am doing so well! I’ve been staying busy promoting our new show Sunny which has the first two episodes out now on Apple TV+!

How did your upbringing in Hawaii influence your decision to pursue acting?

Growing up in Hawai'i, I was very much an indoor kid. I loved going to see plays at Diamondhead Theatre, acting in the Summer Shakespeare Festival and watching movies at Kahala mall. My father was the one who encouraged me to pursue acting when I was in seventh grade at 'Iolani and I quickly fell in love with performing. 

Can you share any memorable experiences from your time at Loyola Marymount University that shaped your acting career?

I was so lucky to have parents who not only encouraged me to pursue my career of acting, but who also encouraged me to study it in college. LMU was such a wonderful four years of my life. I had a professor there who truly believed that I could work in film and television, and after graduating, he introduced me to his agents, who promptly dropped me after a few months of not booking jobs, but by then, I was hooked on the idea of starting a career as a professional actor.  I just kept submitting myself and auditioning until I got to this amazing place that I’m at today. And shoutout to my amazing agent John Griffin and manager Mike Gillespie who championed me for the role of Sunny and who helped get me to where I am now.

What was your initial reaction when you landed the role in "Emma Approved"?

In 2013 I had the honor of playing Emma Woodhouse in the web adaptation of Jane Austen‘s "Emma". When I landed the role, it felt so surreal… It was the biggest job that I had in my career at the time. I made lifelong friends, we won a Creative Arts Emmy, and I really got to understand what being a lead of a series entails.

How did you prepare for your role in the AppleTV+ show "SUNNY"?

Fortunately, I didn’t have to do too much preparing for the role of Sunny. We used brand new technology to project my face to our 3 foot tall robot in real time so it wasn’t so much preparing as it was learning how to mechanically work this robot while giving a natural performance.

What aspects of your character in "SUNNY" resonate most with you personally?

I feel like I can relate to all aspects of Sunny‘s personality. I have a tendency to be overly enthusiastic about topics and people that I am passionate about, and I am sure sometimes that disposition can rub people the wrong way. Now, I've learned to embrace that bright side of myself and I had so much fun bringing all that to Sunny's personality.

Can you share any behind-the-scenes moments from the set of "SUNNY" that left a lasting impression on you?

There is an upcoming episode that (without giving spoilers) allowed me to play with every emotional color that Sunny has to offer. It was so wonderful to be able to rehearse on set as Joanna and to play with this new side of Sunny we haven't seen before. Our director for that episode Makoto Nagahisa had such an insanely specific vision and I can't wait for everyone to see it in a few short weeks!

What drew you to the role of Emma Woodhouse in "Emma Approved"?

The series that came before us, The Lizzie Bennett Diaries, was a massive success so when I read for the role of Emma, I just knew our show would be something special as well. Emma Woodhouse was such a dynamic character. She’s so opinionated and unlikable and funny and raw and all of the things that would make any actor fight to play her. It was seriously such an honor to be able to give her our modern adaptation.

"Emma Approved" gained significant popularity and award nominations. How did that recognition impact your career?

We had the honor of winning a creative arts Emmy back in 2015 and I’d say it's the thing I get recognized for the most. The fans are so wonderful and so creative and so supportive. It was a blast to be able to meet them at conventions and a major shout out to the Jane Austen fans! They are some of the most artistic, creative, kind and compassionate people out there.

How did you get involved with "Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye"?

The Tin Can brothers reached out to me when they were first creating the show and asked if I wanted to play Sheriff Madison Reynolds in their new series. It was such a funny script that I had to say yes. It also didn't hurt that I got to play Darren Criss's sister! The jokes are truly insane and wonderful and filming for that month with all those incredibly talented people was hilarious to say the least. I definitely ruined more than one take by cracking up.

What was it like working on a comedy-horror series that combines mystery with humor?

I think some of the best genres are comedy-horrors. They keep you on your toes and then knock you right off them with a good one liner. I’d easily work on another one of those in a heartbeat!

How did the experience of working on "Wayward Guide" differ from your other projects?

Wayward guide wasn’t dissimilar to any other project I had done, but it was my first time working with the Tin Can Brothers. The three of them are so creative and they have such a unique voice and style of comedy. That little town that they built with all of those bonkers characters is just too much fun.

How did you transition into voice acting, and what was the process like for "Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare"?

I wouldn’t say I’ve done any transition from one style of acting to another. Working on Call of Duty years ago was such a dream and I approached it like any other acting job. Doing MoCap feels like theater or improv. You don’t have to worry about hitting your mark or making sure you find your light...you get to just roam around and explore with the other performers and build this insane world. For us, that happened to be in Outer Space. 

How would you describe your personal style, and has it evolved since you started your career?

I’d say my personal style is constantly evolving. I love thrifting and building outfits and making different characters with my looks. I think that all really started with the fashion world of Emma Approved. Every red carpet and every event is a chance to explore and play with fabrics and shapes and if I can thrift part or all of that look, even better!

How does fashion play a role in the characters you portray on screen?

I’ve been so fortunate to be able to be in shows with incredible outfits and wardrobe. In our show Sunny, this retro futuristic look is so unique and fashion forward thanks to our wonderful Costume Designer Analucia McGorty. 

What social causes are you most passionate about, and how do you support them?

I am very passionate about supporting other Asian American creators. It’s been such an incredible time to be able to share our stories and viewpoints and I love amplifying those voices. Also, as a new mom, I think there is so much to be said about postpartum mental health and community. It’s truly an intense world and I think more people need to be aware of all of the joy, but also the silent struggles that can happen postpartum. It’s an encompassing ride and building a community to help and support along the way has been really important for me.

How do you approach developing a new character, and what techniques do you use to bring them to life?

I approach all my characters with a very open mind and I always try to find myself in them somewhere. From playing a network executive to a 3 foot tall robot girl, there’s always some parts of Joanna that I can find and play with. I also make sure to have fun on set as much as humanly possible.

What challenges have you faced in your acting career, and how have you overcome them?

My biggest challenge that I continue to face is simply getting out of my own way. I have a very bad habit of overly criticizing every action or choice that I make whether it be in an audition or interview or acting in front of the camera. I’m constantly reminding myself to let go and to come at all of my performances with kinder eyes. It’s definitely still something I’m learning to do, but I am pushing forward with every role.

How has your perspective on life changed since you began your journey as an actress?

My biggest perspective shift is just how fortunate I am to be able to do this! Acting has been my passion for so long and I still am pinching myself that I got to work on Sunny. It is so so SO surreal when you notice your dreams start to slowly come true.

Can you share a significant life lesson you've learned from one of the characters you've played?

The lesson that I’ve learned from every character that I have played is to tap into what made this whole job fun in the first place. To imagine, play and let go. It’s in those moments that I find I create my best work and often best memories.

How do you stay grounded and focused in an industry that is often unpredictable?

The biggest thing that has made me stay grounded is the fact that I am constantly in a state of gratitude. I know that this is such a hard industry to work in, especially as an actor. So to have a show like this, where I get to play a character like Sunny, is so humbling. 

What has been the most rewarding project you’ve worked on, and why?

Sunny has easily been the most rewarding project I have ever worked on. Probably because it was the scariest project I've ever done. I had so many doubts...from fearing I wouldn't learn how to use the Sunny helmet to doubting if I could learn my lines in Japanese or move to Tokyo for six months. There were so many things that were wildly intimidating but I did it and I am so proud of the final product.

How has your experience in the industry shaped your views on representation and diversity in film and television?

I’ve always had the view that we need stronger representation in this industry; I feel like we’re making steps towards that. It’s pretty amazing to see a Japanese story be told for global audiences versus just an Asian story that kind of encompasses everybody and treats us as a monolith. I think we of course have ways to go but I’m proud to be a part of pushing that line forward.

How do you maintain a work-life balance, especially when you're filming long hours?

I’m so lucky to be married to my absolute best friend who makes me excited to come home from any kind of day. Now, my daughter adds to that. This little family that we've started is all the reason to come home with a smile on my face and be so grateful that I got to have a long day working the job of my dreams.

If you were a book, what book would you be and why? 

That’s such a fun question! If I was a book, I’d probably be Calvin and Hobbes...something with humor and color but scattered with sweet little life lessons.