Sofia Wylie has been in the limelight since she was a little girl, in dance at only five years old. But her career really catapulted within the last few years, as she made appearances in shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” and starred in hit Disney series like “Andi Mack” and “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.”
Like many child stars, the actor says his entertainment industry has not been easy. “In the entertainment industry, there are serious and deep phenomena behind it. So much effort is put into success than status and mental health and well-being,” Wylie tells POPSUGAR in an interview about her new role at Kate Spade Social. The council was undermined.
“Growing up in this industry, I’ve had times where I’ve struggled with my mental health, accepting myself and feeling like I’m worthy or that I belong, and that’s something I think most people can relate to,” Wylie says.
The actor previously opened up to POPSUGAR about his battle with imposter syndrome, explaining that there’s no doubt that he’ll do anything even more enthusiastically, as there always seems to be a layer of doubt in the back of his mind. “For a lot of my life, and with the different projects I do, I always walk into it, and it’s so exciting to be there. But I’m also like, ‘How did I get here?’ either so incredible or so perfect,” she told POPSUGAR in October 2012.
She has also spoken publicly about her struggles with emotional burden. “It’s known that if you’re suffering from mental health, you’re ashamed of it or you try to hide it. But when I was younger, I really had these sensitive burdens, where if I went to a restaurant with my family and the music was loud or people were talking, I was just game out kind”. Wylie said in a video posted to Twitter. She never knew how to explain the situation to her friends and was often embarrassed by the feeling of being fired. “But once he started talking about it, I realized that it wasn’t something I should be ashamed of. It’s like my brain,” Wylie told him on Twitter.
“I had an unusual life growing up on set. But I think I’m just like any other girl growing up in a social media world where people don’t even know how to feel about you.”
By joining the Social Impact Council, the “School for Good and Bad” star says she hopes to help other people, especially young girls, put their negative self-talk to rest. “I had an unusual life growing up on set. But I think I’m just like any other girl growing up in a social media world where people don’t even know how to feel about you,” says Wylie.
Leaning on her family and learning to share openly about when she feels low, Wylie says she can stop herself from succumbing to those thoughts. “I know you can get down in your mind sometimes, so checking in with others is so important!” Wylie says.
As part of a new role at Social Impact Council, Wylie will join forces with its founding members, including Taraji P. Henson, Catherine Tinsley, and Latham Thomas, to find new ways to advocate for mental health support for women and girls globally. Some of the companies known for 2023 include Black Girls Laughter Inc., Abahizi Rwanda, Girls Inc. of New York City, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and the Trevor Project.
“I want us to live in a world where mental health and emotional well-being are placed at the forefront of our priorities, and together with Kate Spade and the Social Impact Council I think we have the ability to make a difference,” Wylie tells us. POPSUGAR
The actor is among the youngest in the project at 19 years old, but he sees his age as a factor. “I really want to give real experiences to the people I touch – I’m not an expert, I’m not someone who’s experienced things like other people my age,” says Wylie.
She believes authenticity is key – and drawing on her experiences, Wylie says she hopes others her age realize they’re not alone: ”I want to share my story with everyone.”
