Stylist: Cristina Ehrlich
Stylist Assistant: Bridget Blacksten
Hair & Makeup: Stacey Hummel
Sweater/Belt/Skirt: Rodarte
Shoes: Aquazurra
When Trinity Jo-Li Bliss started auditioning for Avatar: The Way of Water in late February 2017, she was so excited that she actually arrived to the audition office one week early. However, casting director Margery Simkin was still kind enough to let the rising star in. “After that, I saw her a couple of times, and I met director/writer/co-producer James Cameron, and the rest is history! I remember driving out of the studio after meeting Jim and getting the call that I was going to be part of the Avatar family. It was incredible,” the actress exclusively tells GRAZIA USA.
After nabbing the role of Tuk, the daughter of Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña‘s characters, Jo-Li Bliss had to watch the original Avatar, which debuted in 2009, since she was born that same year and couldn’t see it live in theaters. “Tuk is the youngest — but she doesn’t see herself as the youngest,” she notes of the character. “She is kind of gregarious and tenacious and wants to be part of the pack and prove she can hang out with the older kids. She’s also really curious and has a big heart.”
In the new flick, which comes out on December 16, Jake Sully and Ney’tiri (played by Worthington and Saldaña, respectively) have formed a family and are doing everything to stay together, but they are forced to leave their home when an ancient threat comes along.
Stylist: Cristina Ehrlich
Stylist Assistant: Bridget Blacksten
Hair & Makeup: Stacey Hummel
Sweater/Belt/Skirt: Rodarte
Shoes: Aquazurra
The brunette beauty was easily able to connect with Tuk, despite not being in the previous film. “I relate to Tuk a lot. We both grew up in a mixed family, with parents from different cultures and backgrounds,” Jo-Li Bliss notes. “We both have two older siblings and are the youngest of our families, so I understand her.”
Additionally, Jo-Li Bliss had to go through three months of training before jumping into being on set. “I had to learn the movement, the dialect, the night training, the free diving — and that all helped me get into character,” she says. “I was able to imagine this world of Pandora around us. I wish Pandora was real life! I would totally hop on that rocket ship and go there — it would be my bucket list place.”
“We’re filming underwear scenes and using performance capture, which is not typical acting,” she adds of the challenges. “We have to imagine the world around us in our minds. Jim really took the time to explain it to us and let us know what our characters are seeing and feeling, which would help us build that world in our minds.”
Stylist: Cristina Ehrlich
Stylist Assistant: Bridget Blacksten
Hair & Makeup: Stacey Hummel
Top/Skirt: Pinko
Shoes: Karl Lagerfeld
Ring: Jennifer Fisher
Earrings: Jenny Bird
Though it may sound intimidating, Jo-Li Bliss says it was “easy” to dive into that headspace. “Once we’re on the set and filming, we don’t think about us being in these special suits that track our facial performance,” she states. “We just disappear into that world of Pandora.”
Additionally, getting to work alongside Worthington and Saldaña was a huge treat for Jo-Li Bliss. “They were so incredible,” she gushes. “I looked up to Zoe so much, and she’s so nurturing, motherly and kind, while Sam is super hilarious and nurturing and silly. It was the best experience getting to be their child because they’re amazing.”
Jo-Li Bliss didn’t seek advice from the two stars, but she learned by just watching them. “I would see them get in that zone before they went into a scene,” she recalls. “They were also so supportive of us as a younger cast. They’re amazing people.”
Though Jo-Li Bliss didn’t watch Avatar live in theaters, she remembers downloading it and watching it “over and over again” in 2017, which is when she fell in love with the movie. “I can’t wait for fans to return to Pandora. I think they’ll be awestruck by the new regions and creatures,” she says.
At a young age, Jo-Li Bliss is still in awe that she gets to work alongside A-list actors and actresses, in addition to being cast in a Cameron film. “It’s out of this world — no pun intended,” she quips. “When the movie starts playing, I get immersed in this world of Pandora and forget that I was even a part of it. I am now in this amazing Avatar family, and it’s definitely a pinch-me moment and very mind-blowing!”
From a young age, Jo-Li Bliss admits she’s been drawn to the performance arts. “I started going to musical theater camps for spring break and during the summer, and I had so much fun. I would then beg my mom for acting lessons, and it all started from there!”
Dress: Vintage Tony Chase
Gloves: Chanel
Shoes: Schutz
Jewelry: Gismondi1754
After Avatar: The Way of Water debuts, Jo-Li Bliss is looking forward to focusing on her debut album, Confessions of a Preteen, which will drop in January. “Music has always been a big part of who I am and songwriting is the way I process my feelings,” she shares. “This is something I’ve been working on for a long time. I made the album in the middle of the pandemic, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.”
Jo-Li Bliss has certainly checked off some exciting moments already — making the album and working with Cameron — but she says, “There’s so much left to do! I want to perform in front of people. There’s a lot to look forward to, and I can’t wait to keep working hard to get there.”
She concludes, “If I am a role model for young girls, that’s great! I want everyone to know that anything is possible. If you work hard and dream, you can do anything.”
Avatar: The Way of Water is now playing in theaters.
