Just so you know: Myra Molloy is a rising star in Hollywood to keep an eye on.

      When the music video for Hayley Kiyoko's viral anthem "Girls Like Girls," celebrating female queer identity, premiered on YouTube 11 years ago, Thai American Myra Molloy was just 17 and residing with her family in Bangkok. As an aspiring actress at the time, Molloy stumbled upon Kiyoko in the corners of American pop culture online and found herself inspired by this Japanese American artist boldly expressing herself. A decade later, an audition invitation for Girls Like Girls, Kiyoko's feature film directorial debut, landed in Molloy's inbox, marking a significant full-circle moment that continues to amaze her today. Drawing inspiration from the ground-breaking 2015 music video and the 2023 New York Times best-selling novel of the same name, Girls Like Girls tells the coming-of-age story of 17-year-old Coley (played by the fabulous Maya da Costa), who must move in with her estranged father in rural Oregon after the sudden death of her mother. Navigating grief, she forms an immediate connection with Sonya (a captivating Molloy), a popular girl navigating a turbulent relationship with her boyfriend. Together, they explore their feelings after spending a summer together. In their leading roles, both Molloy and da Costa deliver authentically vulnerable and heartfelt performances, capturing audiences' attention. By casting these two emerging talents as Coley and Sonya, Kiyoko not only showcases that two half-Asian women can lead a film centered on queer joy and identity, but also highlights the promising careers of these gifted actresses ahead. Here, Molloy shares her insights on embracing free will, connecting with Kiyoko, and how Girls Like Girls has fulfilled her aspirations.

      What was your initial reaction to the "Girls Like Girls" music video? Oh my goodness, it brings back such nostalgia—that era of YouTube. For anyone born in the '90s or early 2000s, YouTube was our home before platforms like Vine and TikTok. I felt completely transported and considered the music video to be a cinematic masterpiece. I thought, "This woman has a vision, and this song is a hit," and it was just stunning to watch. It reflects Hayley’s clear vision and determination that allowed her to transform that essence into a feature film over the course of a decade. I truly admire her. Sometimes I start projects and lose interest the next day, but she persevered in such an incredible and beautiful way and really achieved something great. It's amazing that this song has been brought to life in so many formats, and the way she expanded the story across them all is unique.

      I heard you initially auditioned for Coley, but Kiyoko quickly recognized you as Sonya. When I received the email about the audition, I saw the project and immediately thought of Coley because I was focused on what they required from me. Even when reading the scripts, I was interpreting them through Coley's perspective, which resonated with me deeply. I even wrote a note for Hayley, which is something I don't usually do since I'm shy about it, but I felt it was important to express that we should all embrace our free will more and share our feelings. I was so moved by the script and by Coley's journey. When Hayley asked me to read for Sonya, I was initially surprised, as it hadn’t even occurred to me. But revisiting it from Sonya's perspective helped me see the fit. I believe I can identify with both characters, and that's the beauty of this film; regardless of where you find yourself in a relationship or life, you can relate to both. However, I particularly connected with Sonya and felt excited to portray a misunderstood character. Everyone experiences moments of growth, makes mistakes, and stumbles along the way, and I found so much of myself in Sonya.

      How did the various mediums of Girls Like Girls shape your performance? Did you have any discussions with Kiyoko that clarified things for you? Having the reference material on hand at all times felt surreal. Hayley, as the director and writer, was always there to work collaboratively, suggesting ideas or providing feedback. I feel fortunate to have her direct my feature debut because she fosters a collaborative environment. She's incredibly empathetic—probably the most empathetic person I've ever met. Every time we meet, even if someone is crying, whether it’s me or her, she just engages on such a deep emotional level, which aligns with the film's emotional intensity. Whether drawing from the book, the aesthetic of the song and music video, or her personal experiences, having her guidance and being able to ask questions about authenticity really enhanced the process. Sometimes my approach aligned with her vision, while at other times it didn’t. It was fascinating to blend our perspectives, but her presence was invaluable. A director who genuinely cares makes such a difference, and I think Hayley’s superpower is her ability to