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Vertical Drama Star Sophia Soto on Study Buddy & Noah Andre · Breaking The Meta

• Mike Winson: Hello everybody and welcome to Breaking the Meta. I am Mike Wins and today's special guest is star of the hit vertical drama study buddy. Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: Her name is Sophia Soto. I'm so excited to sit down and talk with you. Hello. Sophia Soto: Hello. Hello. That was such a good introduction. I feel honored. my gosh. Thank you. Mike Winson: You should be. You should be. I was telling I was telling you before we started that I watched the vertical to prepare for this. So it's like I'm sitting down with a movie star right now. Sophia Soto: Hey, hey. He had to study up for this. It's it's it's an on. I'm excited. Mike Winson: It's right. That's right. That's right. As as a lot of you actors like to say, I had to I had to I had to focus. I had to get Sophia Soto: Hence. Mike Winson: so how are you doing? It's it you know, so your movie has been out for just a little over two months now. Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: How how have things been since this came out? Because this was this was a pretty big deal, especially considering not only was it your first vertical ever, but you Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: also got to do it with a a pretty popular guy. Sophia Soto: Yes, for sure. Honestly, when I first when I when I did it, I didn't know that it was gonna be as big as it was, right? I was just kinda like, okay, like yeah, this little this will be cool, whatever. And the week before it came out, I remember like actually being so nervous, telling my mom, I can't, I can't. Like I literally I I was so nervous because I just it's such a cool, cute story and I wanted people to receive Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: it well, and I just was so nervous and you know, people love Noel Andre and I'm like, it's like I what if they don't like me? Like I just you know the brain, it it it does horrible things. And so then the second it came out, people just started loving it. And over the past couple of months I've gained like so many supporters and just people like, yeah, when are you gonna do the next one? I it's like it's crazy how like verticals can give these actors these platforms to like do what they love. And so I'm so grateful Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: that like Study Buddy came out and it was well received, number one, but it just like it it gave me this opportunity to like be online and like be my goofy self and like just have fun. And if I didn't have Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: the opportunity, I don't I couldn't say that I could be here, you know, or like be doing interview, Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: like interviews with people and things like that. Like it's so crazy. Mike Winson: Yeah. So let's let's go let's go a little bit back to the beginning. So you grew up in LA. Your Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: mom was was a a Hollywood actress as well. Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: You started doing shows, I think I remember hearing like like in your teens, right? Like your early teens. Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Mike Winson: Was acting something that you always was always a part of. your future or like were you like I wanna do anything other than acting but then it Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: just you lived in Hollywood and like that just kinda became your thing. Sophia Soto: Yeah, honestly, I think, like you said before, my mom was kind of an actor. So I had to, I grew up kind of like in my family, we're all very artistic and creative. And so I grew up in that like room where it was okay to like sing and dance and act and like be yourself, right? And so I remember since my mom was an actor, she had a manager, right? And so that manager when me and my brother were, you know, a little bit older, like fourteen, she was like, Let me see them. I wanna see them and then we were like, okay. And so we ended Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: up getting with our manager that we have now and the agency that we're with. And it's been absolutely amazing. But yeah, I started acting when I was fourteen. But honestly before acting was singing. Like I really, really Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: loved singing. I r would sing all the time since like sixth grade and I was just like, this is what I'm meant to do. This is literally what I need to be I I was This is what I have to do in life. And then acting came along and I was like, we I really like this as well. Like this is something that I like I'm I'm hopefully good at. Like this is great. And the agency liked me, the my manager liked me. So I was like, okay, wait, I can do both. And so I've been trying to, you know, do both ever since. But yeah, I think I was one of the lucky ones where since I for from a very young age, I've always known that this is what I want to do, which is a lot of people can't say that. Like a lot of people my age Still are figuring it out. And that's so normal. I'm just so lucky that I kind of know, like, if I'm gonna be anywhere, it's probably gonna be here, hopefully. Mike Winson: Yeah. And you're in college right now. So Sophia Soto: Yes. Mike Winson: you're doing college and cosmetology school, right? And acting and Sophia Soto: Yes Yes Mike Winson: and work. Sophia Soto: Yes. Mike Winson: my goodness gracious, girl, how Sophia Soto: I Mike Winson: I don't even know how you got on this episode right now. Sophia Soto: I was like, I gotta make time. I gotta make time for the people that I I would love to talk to, right? But yeah, I'm I'm a very busy person. I I really like Mike Winson: So what are Sophia Soto: go ahead. Mike Winson: so what are you going to college for? Sophia Soto: So I'm going to college. My dad made me was like, hey, we love you. You gotta go to college. And I'm like, okay, that's fine, whatever. Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: and so I I originally went to college for business, but now that I'm an actor and like working now, I think it's also good I'm gonna try and major or minor in film just so I can gauge what's happening. And I also really like editing. I've never edited for anything, but like I really love editing. I'd love to look more into that in my school. provide those classes. So it's like Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: I would absolutely love to do that. But since I go to a community college, they're really lenient with just like online classes. Cause if I had to go in person, we wouldn't have we wouldn't be here right now, probably. Like truly, I'm really glad that I a lot of this semester I took a lot of my classes online. and so it's been really helpful just so that I can have a schedule where I can be lenient. But yeah, I also I go to cosmetology school. For hair, which is enough it's a backup plan, really is what it is. It just kind Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: of like maybe I could do hair and makeup for the industry or like you know, things like that. I just have backup plans. Backup for the backup. and exactly, exactly, Mike Winson: Backups and the backups and the backups. I mean, you need Sophia Soto: exactly. And so then I also work because money is great and I love having money. and yeah, I work with a lot of Mike Winson: It's important. Sophia Soto: my exactly. I work with a lot of my friends too, so it's really great, but Yeah, I study buddy was amazing and I'm hopefully there'll be more verticals, but until then I gotta work and gotta be a college student, so Mike Winson: Well, more power to you. I don't I Sophia Soto: Thank you. Mike Winson: that is just crazy. And but yeah. okay, so for those of you that are new to not just verticals, but haven't heard of this story. The story the story of Study Buddy is your character Amelia is looking for a roommate and your co-star Noah, who whose character is Zeke. Just got kicked out of his place and decides, says, Hey, I'm moving in. Pretty much just semi-forces his way in. And and then you basically do the very common micro drama trope where Sophia Soto: Yes. Mike Winson: one person says, I will help you pass your courses, and the other one says, I will teach you about. sex and love and all that other stuff that Sophia Soto: Yes. Mike Winson: b because why not? when you when you saw the script for the first time, how Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: much did you know about the vertical drama world? Sophia Soto: Literally, when I tell you nothing, I literally mean nothing. Like I had no idea. Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: When I was auditioning for Studybuddy, I remember being like, Avert, like what is this? Right? Like I I had no idea what it was. And since I didn't want to get my hopes up, I didn't go into it. And I was just like, okay, I'm gonna audition for Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: this. I'm probably not gonna hear anything back. It's fine, whatever. I've learned to just not get my hopes up because there's so it's rejection Mike Winson: Yeah. Hollywood. Sophia Soto: after rejection all the time. So and this was one of the bigger projects that I had auditioned, like I was auditioning for. So I was like, I'm not gonna, I'm not gonna do it. And then the second I got it, I was like, okay, I need to, what what am I doing right now? Like, what is this? And so then I went on a deep dive and then I realized, my gosh, like Noah Andre is huge. This is absurd. And I like, I just would see all these vertical dramas being so popular. And I'm like, wait, I saw this, or I saw this on my for you page, or things like that. And I'm like, this is the crazy like I'm gonna be in one of these. And I I'm glad that it did so well, right? But I was so scared because I was like, well, I haven't like I'm so it was the first ever thing really that I had done on camera for that long. And so I Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: was super like, you have to do well, you have to da da da da da da and then I read the script and I loved it so much. And I was like this is like I'm so excited, right? Cause I wanted, especially as like for the representation side of things and just like I wanted it to be told in the right way and thank God it was. And like the director, Caroline, she was amazing and took such good care of the story. And so it was really, really cool. But I really had no idea what I was getting myself into until after I got it. Mike Winson: Ha ha ha. I mean, vertical dramas are interesting. I mean, don't get me wrong. I the reason that the only reason that I met you and all the other, you know, vertical actors and started interviewing all of you is because I got pulled into this world too. Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: But in some in many ways, they're hilarious and sometimes frightening and and sometimes come at certain social. issues in a very interesting way when Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: you because like like it's a for those of you that don't aren't into the vertical drama world within the first like like 10 12 minutes of the actual like movie Noah's character is trying to kiss you and and Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: and you're like but but I've always been told that that no one would ever want to kiss me and he's just like well I want to and it's just like like it's fine it's entertainment but also it's Sophia Soto: Yes. Mike Winson: just weird. So my my question is what did you because are you really into that kind of that kind of movie, that kind of drama, or did you read it and you're just like, there was part of you that kind of was like, but the other part was like, okay, this is cool. Sophia Soto: Yeah, honestly, I'm I'm always down for a romantic comedy. Don't get me wrong. I always Mike Winson: Okay. Sophia Soto: I I love that kind of stuff. But I will say with verticals, it's very rushed. Like it's very like, okay, like next scene, we literally like 10 minutes in, there's already a kissing scene happening. Like it's it's and so Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: it's it's great, right? And I wish and I'm glad that verticals are a thing because again, it gives actors platforms and and everybody a way to be creative. But It also like makes me realize this is what I want to do, right? Like this and be able to Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: be in a movie that's longer where the yearning is there and it's there's more room for the kissing to happen later and like all these Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: amazing things, right? But when I read it, I'm always down for the drama. I'm always down for like I was like, Mike Winson: Ha ha ha. Sophia Soto: but I remember thinking like, my god, like I have to do that. Like I I when I was reading it at first, I was like, okay, yeah, whatever. And then I I clicked, I was like, Sweetie, that's you. Like You have to do that. And so it was, it was nerve-wracking, Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: but like everybody was so amazing and so supportive that it it was so great. Mike Winson: So obviously they don't always record things in the order that we see them. And I've heard from other people that have recorded that there have been times where they record the most intimate scenes right in the beginning. Like the first time, like the first scene they record is like the most intimate. Like, did you get to like build up into that? Or were you like, were they did they throw you in the deep water and say, all right. You and Noah, Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: let's see the let's see the magic. Sophia Soto: Yeah, okay. So basically, let me just say I was so naive. I didn't know that we shot out of order. Okay, that's number one. Okay. I'm thinking, we're gonna start in the beginning and it's gonna be great and whatever. I get to set. Thank God the f I remember the first couple of scenes I did that day was with Tessa, Amanda. Like we got to do a few scenes together and that was kind of Mike Winson: Mm-hmm. Sophia Soto: a warm-up. But with Noah, I had to the first scene we did together was the last scene of the movie where they're like, Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: I love you and I love you and that and I'm I'm literally like mind you I met the dude a day before. Like literally, I was like, this is Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: crazy, this is crazy. But I think he we're like he's such a good actor that when it would Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: be action, it was just like, okay, like we're in this, we're here to tell a story. It's it's it was really great. But yeah, that whole first day was a bunch of like just just you know, and and Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: that's okay. It was great and As the week went on, we didn't have to do as much of it. So I'm I'm like, okay, like get that out of the way at least. But it was pretty it was pretty cool. I had no idea that we shot out of order, so I I was even more like, what is happening right now? But after the week was over, I was like, okay, I think I got the hang of it. Mike Winson: Ha ha. Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: Was there any moments that after you were watching it, you were just like, I wish I had a second take at this, or I wish I didn't I wish I didn't do it like this? Sophia Soto: Hmm. I think honestly, that's a really good question. I'm a perfectionist and I think I will always have yes. no. I mean, yeah. Mike Winson: And verticals are really fast. They don't they don't they don't always give second takes on things. They'll just go, Yep, good, let's go. Sophia Soto: Yeah, I think for me, like when I was in it, they actually we were so good on timing and scheduling that we were able to do scenes. I don't think there was one scene that we did once. I think we did it different time like different ways. Which was really great for me because I'm like, okay, I gotta do it. But Mike Winson: Yeah. Yeah. Sophia Soto: I think watching it for the first time, I was really hard on myself. And I was like, I wish they chose this or I wish they did I did this differently, whatever. But then honestly, after seeing the amount of like great feedback I got and just like all of it, I was like, Why are you so hard on yourself? And i've always been like that. W no matter acting or singing or anything like that, I've always just been like You suck or you could have done better. But I mean, I think that to Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: a certain extent it makes me a better performer. But I I think after a while I was like, No, you did a ma like you did great. Like it th especially for it being your first time, like calm down, Sophia. Like you're you're okay. So I think, yeah, I'm always I'm always gonna have those, but I I'm I'm pretty proud of my performance. Mike Winson: Yeah, hey, I think you did great. You're welcome. Sophia Soto: Thank you. Mike Winson: so what was it like? Because I saw the video of you guys of you and was it your family or your friends or whatever who were sitting down to watch to watch it the first time? Sophia Soto: Hmm. Yes. Mike Winson: what what was it like? What was it like sitting there watching this first feature, you know? thing that you that you were, you know, a co lead on with Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: all of these people you care about around you and how did they respond? How did that go? Sophia Soto: I think so. I actually I remember telling, because when it was gonna come out, all my friends, all my family members, they're texting me about like, when's the watch party? When's it happening? Like it needs to happen. And I'm like, guys, I need to watch it for the first time by myself. I need to like, Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: I gotta be in, I gotta, I gotta be alone. I gotta watch my performance. I did, and I was like, okay, now that I've watched it, now I can we can go and we can did a slow watch party. And so I brought so it was like at what my my best friend Jesse And her family, and then my brother and my mom. And we all went to Jesse's apartment and I was like, okay, guys, like everybody, this is we're acting, like it's a cute story, like whatever. And I was mostly nervous for my mom because it's like I'm not trying to s I'm Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: not I don't wanna I don't wanna be there, right? And so it was it they really Mike Winson: Well. Sophia Soto: I as you can see, like the video, they were screaming, they're my god, but honestly. I think they were all really proud and just like, all right, so when's the next one? Or my god, I'm gonna watch that again or all all these things. I just had Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: bunch of my friends from like high school and things like that being like, I just watched it just supporting me and I'm like, dude, like that's amazing, right? So I it was in that moment I hated it because I'm watching all my closest people in my life and their reactions and I'm like, I literally was breaking a sweat. I was like, I can't even enjoy it right now. Like I literally I can't but it was it was really great and I will never do a watch party again, but that's that's okay. Mike Winson: were the during the during the whole 'cause you'd already watched it, so you didn't need to watch it again, obviously and you were there. Were you just sitting here going like this like the whole time, like just looking at people's faces? Sophia Soto: Yeah. Yes. I literally Yes. And I would be like, Mom, close your eyes. Close your eyes right now. Cause there'd Mike Winson: Ha ha Sophia Soto: be like a kissing scene. And I'll be, no, no, like you can't. So Mike Winson: No. Sophia Soto: it it it was really great. but yeah, there's gonna be a watch party, I'm not gonna be there. I'll come after and you can tell me how what you thought of it. But yeah, it was it was super fun. Mike Winson: that's great. That's great. I remember you talking about, you know, the fact that you didn't didn't really know who Noah was, but you did a like a deep dive on Noah after you you Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: got the part kind of a thing. what was it like as someone who was it was really their first time in a vertical drama working with someone who has been in So many verticals before this show. Sophia Soto: Yeah, yeah. I think honestly, I was super nervous at first because I'm like, I have no idea what I'm doing. Like I remember I walk in a set and I'm like, Well, what what is happening right now? Like it it's a whole different world and it everything's super quick and just whatever. And I remember like when I was in the the call or the chemistry read with Noah, I didn't know that it was Noah when I was first auditioning. And then w in the chemistry read I Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: saw his face and I was like, This dude looks mad familiar. Why does he look so familiar? He's all over everyone's for you page. Like, obviously he's gonna look familiar. And so I remember being and I look at his TikTok and I'm like, my god, he has like half a million followers. I this is absurd. Like I was just so intimidated. And then when I get on there, he's like the sweetest guy. He's like, hey, you da da da da da da, whatever, super supportive. And I'm like, okay, what was I even what was I even worried about? And so it was like with everyone too. It wasn't just Noah, it was like everybody else, all of my other co-stars, they have been in so many and I'm like, This is Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: absurd and they're all so sweet and so kind and they were all so supportive and I had a blast. But it was really scary at first 'cause I was like, I I don't know. I don't know what to do. Mike Winson: a lot of the reviews that I've looked at of Studybody talk when it then they talk about you, they talk very much about how expressive your face was on camera. Is that something you were you focused on a lot when you were when you were doing it? Or is it like it just happened and then you were just like, wow, you know, I did it. Sophia Soto: Yeah. Yeah. I think honestly, my biggest thing was I didn't want it to be soapy. I didn't want it to be performative or anything like that. Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: I wanted it to be very natural. And as someone I've never taken an acting class. I've never done like it's all just it just happens. And so when I would see and obviously I had a great director who would help me through this process and be like, your character's going through this right now. How do you think your character would react? Like all these things, right? Thank God. But I honestly I thought that I wasn't giving enough facial expressions. Or like I just I was too natural where my my face was not doing what I needed to do. But then everybody was like, she's like she's she th this natural, like she the her face, like the f I was like, What really? Like, my god. Like it was really, really, really cool. Cause I, you know the brand. Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: It just I was like, I probably could Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: have done this, that better. But yeah, I think that was the biggest the biggest amount of feedback I received with just like, yeah, like her emotions kinda flicker but it's not like performative or push. So I like, Okay, at least Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: I did something right. Mike Winson: Yeah, no, I it was I, you know, as I was cause I watched it and then I was reading things and I was like, yeah, Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: you you were I I'm dumbfounded by the fact that you've never taken an acting class ever. Like Sophia Soto: No. Mike Winson: that is that is like I I don't know if Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: you watched while I was doing it, I was sitting here going like this because I'm like, there's no way that you haven't taken an acting class. Sophia Soto: I I I haven't taken an acting class. I will say like I've done musical theater and I think musical Mike Winson: Okay. Sophia Soto: theater is a great it's great obviously and I think honestly doing musical theater in high school, my theater teacher would tell me to be very like, da you gotta be big for the the audience, right? And so it's easier to tone it down, right? Instead of being like this it's honestly harder to be more performative than it is to be just natural. And I think What also helps is Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: that the story is like I I related to the character a lot and I think it was easy for me to kind of put myself in her shoes and just be like there in the moment. But yes, it's my biggest flag because I've never taken an acting class. I do want to though. I think there's definitely room, like I there will always be room for improvement. I think God my manager is an acting teacher as well. So I'm like, hey, like I gotta Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: I gotta start. So as of now, no, but probably in the very soon future. Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: Mm. Mike Winson: I would feel I I would feel like I wasn't doing my job right as as an interviewer if I did not ask as someone who this was their first vertical, where verticals like 75% of what seems to make a vertical a vertical has to do with some level of intimacy, whether it's kissing only or farther along. What was it like? Did you have experience doing any level of intimacy up until this point? And if not, what was it like doing it in this show? Sophia Soto: Okay, obviously I had never done any on-camera intimacy with any actor before. And so I I'd obviously done like some stage kisses on stage, but it's not, it's obviously not the same thing, right? And so I remember, Mike Winson: Yeah, that's different. Yeah. Sophia Soto: yeah, I remember I like I when I was auditioning for it, they said it in the directions, but I didn't read the directions that intimacy was needed. And I'm thinking to myself, Wait, what? Like I didn't read I just kind of skimmed through. I'm like, okay, what do I need to do? But I had no idea, right? And so once I got it, they were like, we're gonna have you do a meeting with the intimacy coordinator. And I'm like, intimacy okay. And so I was like, okay, Sophia, Mike Winson: Huh? Sophia Soto: you gotta lock in. And I just remember the intimacy coordinator, she was so sweet. And she just basically in the meeting, Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: before we even before I even met Noah in person, it was like a this is what every scene is gonna look like. I need you to tell me if you're comfortable with this. And I'm like, my gosh, this is great. Like she was listening to everything I was saying, all the questions I had. Like, it just she cultivated a really great space. And so then when it came to the intimacy scenes, I was like, I'm in a safe, I'm safe right now. Like everyone is here to just kind of do their job. And it was obviously like gr no like, hey, are you comfortable? Is this data? And so it was just, although at first I was scared, Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: I was like, I don't feel uncomfortable at all. And I think that's what made the intimacy scene so great because like we b it's comfortable. It's like there this safe, nice Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: space was cultivated. And so I at first I was a little bit intimidated, but it was it was fine. It was great for sure. Mike Winson: as someone who is a music theater person myself, I always Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: like talking to other people that like doing music theater. What Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: is your favorite musical of all time? Sophia Soto: You don't get it. Hamilton is my favorite musical ever. Mike Winson: Ha. Sophia Soto: I literally, like, I I went to New York in the beginning of this year and I watched it. Mike Winson: Ooh. Sophia Soto: yes, I watched it in person and I'm thinking to myself, yeah, it'll be fine, it'll be great. Because I already watched it like Disney Plus and like done all that. Literally Mike Winson: Yeah, yeah. Sophia Soto: within the first song, I am sobbing my eyes out. I'm literally like, like I'm literally sobbing in Mike Winson: Yeah, yeah. Sophia Soto: like Literally sobbing my eyes out. Not even because the music's sad, but just because I'm like, I need to be on that stage like now. I need to be Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: on that stage right now. And my I remember my dad, he like turned to me and he like was like, What the he like what are you crying about? I'm like, you don't get it. Like, you don't understand. but yeah, I think Hamilton is my favorite ever. Limon Miranda's like my hero for sure. I Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: also again like love wicked. I saw Wicked i in person in theater. It was just my god. It's beautiful. These are all and I love these musicals too because I think I can see myself playing one of these roles. And so it's really cool to kind of like Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: imagine yourself in that. Or like manifest Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: or whatever you want to call it. Mike Winson: Mm-hmm. Sophia Soto: but I there are so many more that I I'm probably blinking on, but definitely Hamilton for sure. I I I'm trying to learn every word. Yes. Mike Winson: Do you see yourself trying in the future to be on a Broadway show, like taking that next step to to do something like Broadway? Sophia Soto: Yeah, honestly, like I it's always been a dream, like to be on stage, to sing live. I love singing live so much. I think there's such a beauty in it. And I would love to do it. But honestly, now that I've done acting on camera, I will say acting on camera, I think I am is it comes more naturally to me than doing it on stage, Mike Winson: Hmm. Sophia Soto: because on stage you have to like be this really big right like entity of right so that the Audience in the back can see your facial expressions. And I think that's harder for me to do because I f I would consider Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: myself more of a natural actor, right? Where my my expressions are more like micro and all these things. But yeah, I would absolutely love to. I love singing so much. And it would be if you see me on Broadway, I can die happy, just so you know. Yeah. What's your favorite musical? Mike Winson: And you are an amazing singer. I've s seen your content. gosh. newsies. Sophia Soto: I love newsies. Newsies is great. Yeah. Mike Winson: Yeah. And also technically great as showman, and I'm excited that they're coming out with a Broadway version of it. Sophia Soto: my gosh, yes, I need to see that you don't my gosh. That movie is I cry every time and I can't wait to see it on stage. You're so right. That's such a good answer. Mike Winson: I watch I watch the I watch the videos of of how they came about writing the songs. I've watched just those videos like a thousand times probably because it's just so cool to Sophia Soto: Yeah. I know. When they're like in the Mike Winson: me. Sophia Soto: Yes, when they're in the I know what video I think I know what video you're talking. I love that video. It's actually that movie is so beautiful. I that's such a great answer. I love that movie so much. Mike Winson: Yeah. Well, if you ever go to New York to watch Greatest Showman, let me know. I will fly to New York to watch Greatest Showman with you. Sophia Soto: Okay, okay. Yes, that would be so amazing. I will let you know. I will let you know. Mike Winson: so You've done your first vertical. Obviously, you're gonna you you're obviously still applying for stuff. If you if you could snap your finger and get a vertical of any trope of any perspective, whatever, what would it be? Like what what's your what's your ideal vertical plot? Sophia Soto: That's that's a great question. Honestly, I would want to do something that because obviously, like you said, you have these classic tropes, right? And I love to see them, don't get me wrong, but I think vertical dramas could be so much more if they were different, if the tropes were different. So like I would love Mike Winson: Mm-hmm. Sophia Soto: to see like if I could stab my fingers, I'd love to like not be a nerd and like like be like I was saying, I don't know what I the live I did, I was saying like a spy one I think would be so cool or Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: like an undercover like something something of that sort. And just be like to enemy I guess you could say enemy celebres, but like I don't know. Just something like that. Just something that that is a different element other than like school or like being in like high school. Doing Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: something outside of that. Does that make sense? I don't know. Something Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: of that sort. I I need to come up with storylines 'cause I get asked this question a lot and I never know, but yeah, basically someone that's like play a character that's sure of herself and do a vertical that's outside of high school. Mike Winson: Yeah. There was a there was a movie that came out that sort of had that feel to it. It had it had of course I forget their names right now, right when I start thinking of it. the Sophia Soto: It's okay. Mike Winson: the guy who played Captain America. Sophia Soto: Chris Evans Chris Chris Evans. Mike Winson: Chris Evans and then and then Anna Del. gosh. I can picture their faces and I cannot think of their. Sophia Soto: Is she blonde? Is she blonde? Is she blonde? Mike Winson: She is n I don't think so. She just played Sophia Soto: then I have no idea what. Mike Winson: she just played did you ever watch the the John Wick movies? No. Okay. No, that's fine. I just she Sophia Soto: I'm sorry. No. Mike Winson: played, she played in this like she played a side movie that was based off like in that universe. Sophia Soto: good. Okay. Mike Winson: That's the only reason. now I'll just cut all this out, but I have to figure out who it is now because this is bugging me. Chris Evans. Sophia Soto: No, you're you're good. I hate when that happens. Mike Winson: And And De Anna de Armas. Sophia Soto: And the I that sounds familiar. yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. They were just in a movie like that. Mike Winson: So yeah, I think it came out like a year, it came out in 2023. It's called Ghosted. And it and it's basically she's like this super spy kind of a person, and he's like a Joe Schmo guy. And Sophia Soto: okay. Mike Winson: it was an awesome movie. I liked it. You should watch it if you haven't. Highly recommend. It's very funny, Sophia Soto: Okay. Okay. Yeah, I got a got a channel. Yes. Mike Winson: very, very romantic comedy action. Sophia Soto: Yeah. Okay. That sounds I love that. That sounds great. Also I was just thinking doing like a like a group of friends horror vertical, I think would be so for the spooky season. Like Mike Winson: Mm. Sophia Soto: that would be super cute, I think. Mike Winson: Yeah. Yeah. Okay. So what I wanna do towards the end of this is like a like a speed round ish kind of a thing where we just get the whole I ask you just quick and is no no pressure on it kind of a thing. Sophia Soto: Okay, okay. I gotta okay. I'm really bad at these, so just I'm pref just to preface now. Okay, okay. Okay. Mike Winson: There's no such thing as bad. There's no such thing as bad. go to coffee order. Sophia Soto: Right now it's the like a shake and espresso of some sort. Cause I'm I'm like happy an addict. Yeah. Mike Winson: Okay. same. Same. sweet or savory? Sophia Soto: Sabory. That was really hard. Okay. Yeah. Mike Winson: That was really hard. go to karaoke song. Sophia Soto: probably a musical theater song like my I have no literally can't even tell you one musical theater song I've ever sang ever. maybe like a Whitney Houston song. Mike Winson: Ooh. Okay. Sophia Soto: I I wanna dance with somebody, maybe? Mike Winson: I wanna dance with somebody. Yeah. Sophia Soto: Ey Mike Winson: I'm so I I didn't we didn't obviously get into it. I was a I was a full time karaoke singer online for about a year. Sophia Soto: Really? Yeah, that's super cool. Hey. Mike Winson: Yeah. Yeah. So it was during COVID most of it. So but Sophia Soto: Okay. Yeah. Mike Winson: but yeah, that was so karaoke song. Like I I was a I was a dream on person. Like I I would hit those the I would hit those high stuff. So Sophia Soto: Yeah. I maybe I need to start doing karaoke online. That sounds so much fun. yeah, I literally did a live where I played Roblox karaoke and I'm like I I gotta start doing this somewhere. Yeah. You were No Mike Winson: Yeah. I was on your live when you did it. I was like, what the heck is going on here? And you're like Sophia Soto: you if you like karaoke, you have to do Roblox karaoke. It's so much fun. Mike Winson: I just started playing guitar and singing online again. So Sophia Soto: Hey, good for you. Mike Winson: yeah, yeah. okay. dog or cat. Sophia Soto: Cat. Yeah. I Mike Winson: Cat. What's your favorite kind of cat? Sophia Soto: have two cats. I have no idea what kind of cat. I just I have two cats. I used to have a dog, but now that I have two cats, I'm like, okay, I have to say cat because what am I gonna like? I don't wanna offend them. Like that's rude. Mike Winson: They're cats, they don't get offended. Sophia Soto: I promise you they do. My cats take everything personally. Like my- I had to leave my cat outside and I know he's pissed. Mike Winson: Okay. Well, I mean, getting left outside I think could get you pissed. I could understand that one. Sophia Soto: I Mike Winson: last show you binged. Sophia Soto: Sterling Point. Sterling Mike Winson: Ooh. Sophia Soto: Point. Have you watched it? You Mike Winson: I have not. I've heard of it, but I haven't watched it. Sophia Soto: you you gotta watch it. It is such a good TV show. I think you'll really like it. Mike Winson: Okay. I'll definitely check it out. morning person or night owl? Sophia Soto: neither? I don't know. Probably a morning person. Yeah, Mike Winson: You're an afternoon person? Sophia Soto: but now that I think about it, I sleep in the afternoon. Like I'll take a nap. So honestly, probably Mike Winson: Ha ha ha. Sophia Soto: probably a morning person. Mike Winson: Okay. All right. what's one food that you refuse to eat? Sophia Soto: Tomatoes. boy do I I hate raw tomatoes. Mike Winson: What? What? How do you survive? Sophia Soto: I hate raw tomatoes so much and I hate ketchup, but I love pasta and I love like pizza. I know. I know. I know. I know, I know. Mike Winson: Okay. All right. Okay. That's fine. That's fine. You're crazy, but that's fine. I'm just kidding. It's fine. what is your favorite season? Sophia Soto: Winter. I love being cold so much. Love winter. Mike Winson: Mmm. I I definitely like cool and cold. Sophia Soto: Mm-hmm. Mike Winson: what's a sweet treat you can't say no to? Sophia Soto: anything Dubai chocolate, literally anything Dubai chocolate or true through. Mike Winson: I still have never tried it. Sophia Soto: my god, please, Mike, I swear to God, I will ship some to your house. It is so good Dubai chocolate. Go to your nearest grocery store and find it. It is so good. I I could actually write a whole essay about Dubai chocolate. So Dubai Chocolate. Yes, it's that good. Mike Winson: Really? Okay. Sophia Soto: I write it so much. Mike Winson: Okay. And you said trufu. I love true. The the frozen fruit. It's so good. Sophia Soto: True fruit is really, really good. Yes, the frozen. I love the rod berries. Yeah. Mike Winson: The raspberries. The raspberries and blueberries, those are my two. I get I Sophia Soto: Yeah. Yeah. Mike Winson: get when I got a place near me that ever once in a blue moon will do like buy one, get one free, and I'll buy like bags of them. And I will just Sophia Soto: a million. Yes. I agree, I agree. Mike Winson: put a few of each in a bowl and that'll be like my dessert kind of a thing. I love it. Sophia Soto: There you go. Mike Winson: I this I'll finish this in just a second. But I Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: remember in in one of the interviews that you did, you said that your onset snack is is the is the lifesaver mints. And Sophia Soto: Yes. Mike Winson: and so I thought that was hilarious when you said that because I do a lot of A V work for musicals as as Sophia Soto: Okay, yeah. Mike Winson: And I get a massive bag of them. And that's like what that's like what I sit and like just chomp on. It's to help me with the stress of doing it. So, but the question Sophia Soto: Dude Yes. Mike Winson: is green or blue? Sophia Soto: my gosh. I don't remember which one. Honestly I'm a fake fan because I don't even know the difference, but I think it's the blue one. Mike Winson: So green is winto green and blue is that pepo mint. Sophia Soto: I think it's the blue one. I think I like the blue one. Set the Okay, Mike Winson: Well, I'm sorry to say you're wrong, but I'm just kidding. Sophia Soto: yeah, okay. I had a fifty fifty percent chance, but Okay, Mike Winson: Green Green is better, but Sophia Soto: okay. It's okay. But yeah, honestly, 'cause I you're Mike Winson: If you like peppermint, if you like peppermint a lot, blue is the way to go. But I'm not a huge fan of peppermint, so Sophia Soto: Yeah, I think yeah. I said that because literally you're so close to every person that you're talking to when you're acting that I like, That's my favorite snack. Like I was eating it up all the time. So I I agree with you. Mike Winson: I I just yeah, I I just chomp them down. Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: if you had the opportunity to sing with anybody, who would you want to sing with? Sophia Soto: my gosh. my gosh. Maybe Lizzie McAlpine, my favorite artist, or Leve, my other favorite artist. They're they're absolutely amazing. I don't know if you know them, but they are you have Mike Winson: I don't Sophia Soto: to get into them. my gosh, please get into them. They're both lyrical geniuses. Like, I could go another 10-page essay about these two women. Like they're so amazing. Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: but another, I think like more mainstream artist, I love Olivia Rodrigo. If I could do a duet with her, I would Mike Winson: Hmm. Sophia Soto: never shut up. For sure. Mike Winson: Yep. Yep. if you had a free day with no plans, what would you do? Sophia Soto: No plans. Okay. Wake up. Go get coffee. No, wake up, do my skincare, brush my teeth, get on my sweats, put on a shirt, go get coffee. Call up my some of my best friends. Hey, what are you doing right now? This is a a world where they also are free. Okay, what are you doing Mike Winson: Yeah. Sophia Soto: right now? It's also, let's say it's like 85 degrees outside. Do you want to go to Santa Monica Pier? Of course I want to go to Santa Monica. Let's go to Santa Monica Pier. Mike Winson: Ha ha ha. Sophia Soto: I I pick up my friend. We go and we jam out to music. We go to Santa Monica Pier, and then after we we go, we have a good time, then we go to Din Tai Fung, which is right next to Santa Monica Pier. It's Mike Winson: Okay. Okay. Sophia Soto: the best place ever. You go and you eat there and you have a romantic date with your platonic friend. And then you I would probably go hang out with more friends at night. And like Eat to buy chocolate. Mike Winson: Heck yeah. Sounds like a great day to me. Sounds like a perfect day. Sophia Soto: And that would be my ideal deck. Yeah. Mike Winson: okay, so for anyone that wants to find you, where Sophia Soto: Okay. Mike Winson: online can they find you? Sophia Soto: I'm on TikTok. I don't even know my username, but you think you could look up Sophia Soto and I'm sure I would pop up. I have some silly videos up there. Yeah. Mike Winson: We'll we'll put it in we'll put it in the description too. Sophia Soto: Yeah. I I'm on TikTok. I'm also on Instagram. And I might be posting on YouTube soon. So be look look out for Yeah. You never know. Mike Winson: Heck yeah. Awesome. So for everyone listening, the show's name is Studybuddy. It's on Candy Jar. If you haven't gone to watch it, get your butt over there and give it a watch. It's a it's a great it's a great show. It's well worth it. It's well worth your time. Pay pay a little bit of money, and you don't even need to just watch her show. You can watch a bunch of people, others, a bunch of other people's after. So, Sophia Soto: Exactly. Yes. Mike Winson: Sophia, thank you so much for coming on here and and talking with Sophia Soto: Yeah. Mike Winson: me. This was a lot of fun. I appreciate it. Sophia Soto: Yeah, thank you so much for having me on. I had a great time and I hope that if I ever get more projects that we can come back on here and talk about those too. Yes. Mike Winson: Heck yeah, you better. I expect it. There's no, there's no no question on that. for everyone else that listened this far, thank you so very much. Please hit all those buttons down below. It makes it possible for me to keep doing what I'm doing, which is talk to amazing people like Sophia. and and I can't do it without you guys. So please like, share, comment, all of that stuff. and for those of Sophia Soto: Yes. Mike Winson: you that may be new to breaking the meta, just so you know, breaking the meta is about having hard conversations when necessary, fighting to break the status quo and the idea that all people No matter your race, religion, gender, or identity, deserve rights, respect, dignity, and safety. Sophia, thank you again for being here. And for everyone else, we'll see you next time on Breaking the Meta. Bye guys. Sophia Soto: Yes, bye.