Katy O’Brian on Twisters, Queer Roles and Maintaining Extra Curricular Activities

Words: Gina Tonic | Photography and Creative Direction: Savana Ogburn | Lighting: Ethan Benavidez | Photo Assist: Kim Hoyos | Hair and Makeup: Courtney Housner Represented by The Only Agency | Styling: Amanda Lim Represented by The Only Agency and Luca Kingston | Styling Assist: Catalina Cooper

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This year has already been crowned the year of the lesbian, thanks to pop acts like Chappell Roan, Towa Bird and Renee Rapp taking over our TikTok feeds, the music charts and the hearts of many a young queer kid across the world. We even ran a podcast episode back in April celebrating the way sapphics are storming the world stage. My own personal hero moment for queer representation this year, however, was in an entirely different industry - the movies.
I saw *Love Lies Bleeding* (2024) in the best place someone could watch the film. A preview screening surrounded by lesbians. I promise I’m not exaggerating for dramatic effect when I tell you someone fainted during the film. It was enthralling. At the end of the movie, I punched the air repeatedly on my walk to the loos. I was entranced not only by Kristen Stewart’s stellar performance, but my first time watching Katy O’Brian on the big screen. Given the opportunity to interview the actress during one of the strongest years of her career - she just featured in *Twisters* (2024) and is set to star in *Mission: Impossible 8* in 2025 - I lept at the chance to chat. Below, we get into the freedom of indie storytelling, the importance of martial arts training and taking on legacy franchises.

You’ve made a name for yourself in appearing in legacy franchises - from Marvel to The Mandalorian to The CW to now, Twisters. What entices you about working in films that have so much lore behind their storytelling?

Katy: I think people just want me to do it, and I'm happy to do it. It's not like I'm someone who gets to choose roles, thinking, "Oh, Twisters is coming out. I'm gonna be in it." It just happens to me, and I've been fortunate in that regard.

I think with things like Marvel and Star Wars, you know, sci-fi and superhero stuff, I have a look that fits into that world. I've always loved superhero stuff growing up. But I don't get to be selective. I'm just lucky.

Gina: That’s very honest of you.

Katy: Imagine if I was like- oh I love Star Wars so I called them up and walked right in.

Gina: It’s like.. Hey.. you making more Star Wars? What about me?

Katy: That's the attitude I want to have.

What was your favourite day on the set of Twisters?

Katy: One memorable day was when our set got destroyed by really high winds. We had to take cover in a clothing store until the winds died down. It turned into a fun hangout session with everyone. Afterward, the art department came in and miraculously cleaned up the mess and put the set back together incredibly fast. We were all super impressed and it all turned into a celebration of their hard work.

Another unforgettable moment was the day we found out that David booked Superman. We all lost our shit and celebrated together. Overall, it was just a fun group to be around.

What was it like working with practical effects and do you prefer it to more CGI based acting?

Katy: Oh, [I prefer] practical effects, definitely. Any opportunity to go practical, I think you should take it. For example in Twisters, when we're in a car, talking to everyone through radios, trying to communicate with the director, the DP, and everyone else, it becomes a real struggle. We're trying to figure out where to look for this fake tornado, where it's supposed to be, how big it is, and how scared we should be. There are so many little details to consider: Things like the distance and size of the tornado, and elements like hail and rain, which aren't actually there - it's a lot to keep track of. You're constantly hoping your response is adequate.

With practical effects, it's so much easier. If there's wind blowing in your face, it sucks, and you genuinely want to get out of the scenario. It's much easier to act when you're reacting to real elements around you.

I loved Love Lies Bleeding not just for the obvious, queer related reasons, but for the characterisations that make the movie such a beautiful one. Jackie was so dynamic - strong but feminine, not always making the right decisions but so relatable because of it - what went into creating her character?

Katy: It kind of started with the writing, which was so good that I could really see who this person was. We also have a lot of superficial similarities. We're both from the Midwest, we're both queer, we're both bodybuilders, and we both feel powerful and strong because of what we do. This shared background gave me a base-level understanding of the character.

We both moved West to pursue our dreams and found love along the way. These little details made it easier for me to connect with the character. For the more intricate aspects, I had to mentally put myself in different situations. I imagined what would happen on this journey if certain events occurred, or what her life was like before the journey. I thought about someone who isn’t welcome anywhere else because of the thing she loves about herself, and then finds someone who fully welcomes her because of that same thing. Naturally, she would dive headfirst into that relationship and hold on for dear life! It was about piecing together those elements that I didn't personally experience and using empathy to plan it out.

How was it working with Rose Glass?

Katy: It was great. She's so funny because she's a soft-spoken, sweet lady who comes up with these absolutely chaotic ideas. She has this insane imagination, and to this day, I have no idea where it comes from. I often wonder, "Rose, what in your background is inspiring these wild ideas?"

Despite her sweet demeanour, she has a very unique and intuitive directorial style. When I asked her to describe it, she said "intuitive," which resonated with me. Compared to other directors I've worked with, she finds the essence of a scene in the moment rather than having everything meticulously planned out. It allowed us to discover sweet moments and humour amidst the chaos, creating a dynamic and enjoyable working environment.

What kind of directing style do you prefer?

Katy: I do appreciate decisiveness because, as actors and creatives, we can get carried away without clear direction. We might suggest trying all sorts of things, so having a bit of decisiveness is crucial. Assistant Directors also help with this, keeping the flow and everything moving smoothly.

I'm still learning as I work with new directors. Each one has different techniques and styles. For example, Christopher McQuarrie has a very different approach compared to Isaac Chun or Rose Glass. It's been fun to experience and adapt to these different styles, and I'm continually picking up new things I like from each director.

Outside of acting you have a long list of accomplishments and hobbies, including martial arts teaching and training. What do you find so important about keeping extracurricular activities outside of your career?

Katy: They’re more than just hobbies; they’re vital for my mental health. Martial arts, in particular, is crucial for my well-being. I get really sad if I’m not practising — it helps me stay focused and keeps me feeling spry. It’s important to have things that aren’t just about constant grinding or working towards something. Interestingly, some of these hobbies have even influenced my acting career. I didn’t start bodybuilding with the idea that it would lead to movie roles, and I didn’t begin martial arts thinking it would enhance my acting resume. Yet, they’ve both played a role in helping me book certain jobs.

When you're really passionate about something and you get really good at it, it boosts your confidence. Even if you walk into a room and think, "Maybe I'm not the best actor", having that extra skill in your back pocket gives you a mental edge. It’s like a little confidence boost that says, “I might not be the best at this, but I can totally knit 10 sweaters” - it feels like a pretty cool flex.

Katy O’Brian on Twisters, Queer Roles and Maintaining Extra Curricular Activities

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