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

      When Hayley Kiyoko's viral female queer anthem "Girls Like Girls" music video launched on YouTube 11 years ago, Myra Molloy, a Thai American, was just 17 and living in Bangkok with her family. An aspiring actress back then, Molloy stumbled upon Kiyoko in the corners of American pop culture and found her to be an idol. Watching Kiyoko, a Japanese American artist, confidently express herself was incredibly inspiring. Fast forward ten years, and an audition for the feature film adaptation of Girls Like Girls, directed by Kiyoko, came to Molloy's inbox—a moment that still leaves the rising star in awe today. Drawing from the groundbreaking 2015 music video and the 2023 NYT best-selling novel of the same title, Girls Like Girls tells the coming-of-age story of 17-year-old Coley (played by Maya da Costa), who must relocate to rural Oregon to live with her estranged father following her mother’s sudden passing. While grappling with grief, she encounters Sonya (played by Molloy), a popular girl juggling her on-and-off relationship with a boyfriend. Their immediate connection blossoms over a summer together, compelling them to face their emotional truths.

      In their first leading roles, both Molloy and da Costa deliver impressive performances, showing vulnerable and heartfelt portrayals that truly resonate. Molloy captivates the audience, and Kiyoko's choice to cast two half-Asian women not only breaks barriers in Hollywood but also highlights the talents of two remarkable actresses with promising careers ahead of them. Here, Molloy reflects on the freedom of expression, her emotional connection with Kiyoko, and how Girls Like Girls fulfilled her aspirations.

      What were your initial thoughts on the "Girls Like Girls" music video? Oh my goodness, it brings back so much nostalgia—especially that era of YouTube. For anyone born in the '90s or early 2000s, YouTube felt like our home before platforms like Vine and TikTok. Watching that music video felt like a cinematic masterpiece. I thought, "This woman has a vision, and this song is a hit." It was simply beautiful to watch. It's a testament to Hayley's clear vision and determination that she transformed that essence into a feature film over more than a decade. I truly admire her work ethic. I often start projects but lose interest quickly, yet she persevered spectacularly, and the result is remarkable. I'm continually in awe of her ability to bring this song to life across various mediums, expanding the story in each format like no one else does.

      I heard you initially auditioned for Coley until Kiyoko recognized your talent and suggested you for Sonya. As an actor, receiving an email about a project involves immediately envisioning yourself in the role, which is what I did for Coley—I focused on what was required from me. Even when reading the scripts, I was interpreting them through Coley's perspective, which deeply moved me. I wrote to Hayley, which I don't usually do because I find it embarrassing. However, I wanted to share that we should all embrace our free will more. If you feel something, speak up. I expressed how much Coley's story touched me. When Hayley later suggested I read for Sonya, I was taken aback—it never even occurred to me. Upon reconsidering it from Sonya’s perspective, I realized, "You’re right." I see parts of myself in both characters, which is the film's beauty; everyone can relate to both roles. I particularly connected with Sonya, eager to portray a complex character. We all navigate new experiences and make mistakes—I saw so much of myself in her.

      How did the various mediums of Girls Like Girls affect your performance? Did you have a significant conversation with Kiyoko that helped clarify things for you? Having the reference constantly was incredible. Hayley, as the writer and director, was always available to bounce ideas off of her. I would try something, and she’d suggest, "Actually, I liked what you previously did." I feel fortunate to have Hayley as my debut director because she fosters collaboration and is incredibly empathetic. Every time we crossed paths, you could sense the emotional weight between us, either through tears—mine or hers. She feels everything deeply, and I share that intensity. The story holds so much emotion, and having her there to discuss what felt genuine was invaluable. It sometimes aligned with her vision, sometimes it didn’t, but the collaboration was fantastic. Having a director who genuinely cares is evident in the project. I think Hayley’s superpower lies in eliciting care and passion from everyone involved because it’s part of who she is. We wanted to do justice to Girls Like Girls.

      Tell me about your experience working with Maya da Costa, who plays Coley. You both are newcomers in the industry. She’s the sweetest person