Though auditioning in Hollywood can be tough, Sophia Hammons reveals sending in a self-tape for Hulu’s ’90s musical rom-com series Up Here felt right. “I sang ‘All Through the Night’ by Cyndi Lauper, but I also sang another song for the director, and I had a voice crack in the middle! I kept going, but everyone said, ‘It’s all right. Let’s just do it again.’ I sang for a second time, and I had a voice crack in a different spot, but they said it added to the character since it made sense for a 13-year-old girl to have voice cracks in this song. I typically feel a lot of pressure, but it was relaxed and comfortable, and that’s how everyone knew it was going to be a good fit,” the 16-year-old exclusively tells GRAZIA USA.

Fortunately, it all worked out, as the teen landed the role of Celeste, one of Lindsay’s (Mae Whitman) voices in her head. The adorable comedy follows Lindsay and Miguel (Carlos Valdes) as they meet and fall in love — but they must overcome the memories, obsessions, fears and fantasies that live in their brains. “My character is from the ’80s, while the rest of the show is set in the ’90s, so it was fun to play with me being in a whole separate era,” she shares. “Celeste thinks she’s helping Lindsay, but she does not give very good advice.”

Hammons was able to dive in as Celeste, as she added fake braces to the outfit. “That was also one of the more challenging parts, too. I had to learn how to talk with braces, and I’ve never had them before! Celeste was also fun to play around with because she says exactly what she is thinking, no matter what,” she says. “She’s unfiltered, and I am a very unfiltered person, so it was fun to say whatever I wanted!”

Since Hammons was 13 only a few years ago, it wasn’t too hard for her to get into character. “They spoke differently in the ’80s, so I had to learn new slang,” she says. “But it was interesting tapping back into my 13-year-old self.”

The series is also a musical — helmed by Tony-winning Dear Evan Hansen writer Steven Levenson, Tony-winning Hamilton director Thomas Kail, and the Oscar, Emmy and Grammy-winning duo Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez of Frozen and WandaVision —  making Hammons even more on board, as she started her career doing musical theater. “I already had a background in singing and dancing,” she notes. “When I was younger, I auditioned for a few Broadway shows and I remember being told I was too tall, so then I transitioned into film and TV. It was fun to get back into musical theater and work with these amazing people. I just keep thinking back to my younger self who would be screaming right now.”

The Disney Channel alum also had a blast working with Whitman, especially since she’s appeared in two of her favorite movies: The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. “She’s so down to earth and real. She’s so caring and welcoming and made sure everyone on set felt appreciated and welcomed,” she gushes. “I was freaking out when I first met her because I was like, ‘You’re in my comfort movies!'”

“I remember when we were first shooting in Midtown and we were eating lunch and she ordered me this selection of Greek food. I appreciated it because it was very early on in the shooting process, so I didn’t know anyone yet. She’s an awesome person,” she adds. “She was a great role model to have on set, and she’s super talented.”

Hammons frequently shared the scene with Katie Finneran (Joan) and John Hodgman (Tom), as they are the other voices in Lindsay’s head, but in the scenes where she was with Miguel’s voices — Andréa Burns (Rosie), Emilia Suárez (Renee) and Scott Porter (Orson) — she cherished those times. “It was always so much fun!” she says. “Scott is so funny, and he plays his character so well.”

Since the Under Wraps starlet had never filmed a musical before, it was a real treat for her to combine two things she loves. “I’m so happy I got to do with such talented and experienced people. I really trusted everybody in this process. I want to do more of this. It’s a unique show and it has something for everyone.”

After starting off on Disney Channel, the brunette beauty is looking forward to tapping into more “mature content,” including appearing in Up Here. “It was such a great transition into that. Starting to work with more adults in a more mature environment has been fun; I really like it, but I am always grateful for Disney Channel. Disney gave me so many great opportunities and helped me meet so many of my best friends today.”

Hammons also made her indie film debut when The Social Dilemma premiered at Sundance in 2020. “When I was first starting in film, I wanted to do some sort of indie drama, but now I’m floating around and I want to be seen in a more mature light,” she says.

Every year, Hammons and her friend Audrey make mood boards, and last year she manifested she wanted to work with Whitman. “I can now cross that off!” she says. “The Perks of Being a Wallflower was on the board, and I said, ‘If I could work with anybody from that cast, that would be awesome.'”

As for what’s next, Hammons is going with the flow and seeing what comes her way. “I am excited to see where everything goes,” she continues. “I’m still learning and growing.”

In the meantime, Hammons is elated when people rave about Up Here. “The songs are so catchy, and it’s cool to see them on Spotify. I’m so grateful. It’s very heartwarming, and I am so proud of not only myself, but also everybody. This show has been a full circle moment for me, not only with Mae, but also for my younger self who wanted to do something exactly like this.”

Up Here is now streaming on Hulu.

Read the new GRAZIA Gazette: Coachella edition:

GRAZIA USA Spring Cover Star: Kacey Musgraves

GRAZIA Exclusive: Why Maternity Fashion is Having a Moment, & Nicole Trunfio’s Bumpsuit is Leading the Charge

GRAZIA Exclusive: BTS with ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ Actress Aria Mia Loberti & Armani at the Independent Spirit Awards

GRAZIA Exclusive: Seasoned Visionary Tantoo Cardinal Soars Higher with ‘Killers of the Flower Moon,’ Alongside DiCaprio & De Niro

GRAZIA Exclusive: Sergio Hudson Talks NYFW ‘Strong Woman’ Style, Glamour, & Instant Gratification with Rakuten

GRAZIA Exclusive: From Reality Starlet to Curl Champion, Serene Russell’s Guide to Embracing Biracial Curls