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How Storm Reid Finds Her Power Amid Chaos

Storm
Storm

Storm Reid

Storm Reid appeared alongside Brad Pitt and Lupita Nyong'o in 12 Years A Slave before she even hit puberty — then went on to earn Teen Choice Award and NAACP Image Award nominations for her breakout role in Ava DuVernay's A Wrinkle in Time. The young star is now on the edge of 18, but ask her, and she'll tell you she's "old."

During the latest episode of InStyle's Ladies First With Laura Brown the Wrinkle in Time star opens up about what it's been like achieving such high profile success before being old enough to vote (which includes a role in the phenomenon that is Euphoria), the most influential roles she has played, the impact her parents have had on her, and how she stays positive in these chaotic times.

"I try to understand how I'm feeling," she tells InStyle's editor in chief Laura Brown. "I try to understand how others are feeling, but I think I just operate from an immense space of gratitude and just being grateful for everything and anything."

"Of course I didn't have the most perfect childhood and everything wasn't easy and things aren't easy now. I think we have all experienced that this year. But I think my mom has always told me that life is short, and we have to grasp and be grateful to be able to take up space in the world no matter what's going on."

Storm Reid on Optimism: Episode 8: January 19, 2021

InStyle Ladies First with Laura Brown
InStyle Ladies First with Laura Brown

"So I think my approach as an actress and as a producer is to be a part of projects that really mean something to me, that match my morals and values," she says. "It doesn't matter what genre it is, but it has to be representative of the entire world"

RELATED: Storm Reid Isn't Trying to Be Perfect

Given that the past year has been filled with hurdle after hurdle — from the Covid-19 pandemic to the Black Lives Matter Movement and the heated election — it's been one of our country's darkest times. Reid opened up about the difficulties of the past year and how she has managed to cope. One way is using her platform to speak up about what's right.

"I feel like when I'm in my bones the most, or when I am most powerful is when I am speaking my mind, and I'm taking up space undeniably — whether that's on social media or at a party, like I am here for a reason and, and I'm going to make that known," she says. "And it doesn't have to be obnoxious, but just to be able to have an understanding and a sense of self-love for me as a person, but know that I'm also growing and we're evolving. I think there's something so beautiful in that."

Listen to the full episode and subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. And tune in weekly to Ladies First with Laura Brown hosted by InStyle's editor in chief Laura Brown, who speaks to guests like Michelle Pfeiffer, Emily Ratajkowski, Cynthia Erivo, Naomi Watts, La La Anthony, Ellen Pompeo, Rep. Katie Porter, and more to discuss current events, politics, some fashion, and, most importantly, the major firsts in their lives.