Claire Nicholson is a ballet dancer at the San Francisco Ballet, and now she's been cast as a part of the MCU, playing Yulia Maximoff, aka Blue Shadow, the lost younger sister of the Maximoff twins.
Claire begins filming for Captain America Civil W...
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CLAIRE NICHOLSON is know to many people as the actress who portrays the lesser known Marvel superhero, Blue Shadow/Yulia Maximoff. Her character was introduced in Captain America: Civil War last year, and will be featured in the upcoming Spiderman movie this summer. We sat down with the 19-year-old to find out a little bit more about how she started acting and how she balances it with being a dancer at the San Francisco Ballet.
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TV: You became well-known very quickly, but what were you doing before landing a role in the MCU?
CN: Well, I'd been training at the San Francisco Ballet school since I was 10, and I got a contract to be in the corps of the company when I was 16, so I started dancing professionally at 17. That was around the same time that I started auditioning for Blue Shadow.
TV: Speaking of auditioning for Blue Shadow, how did that come about?
CN: I've pretty much been a huge fan of Marvel movies since 2008, and I had always wanted to maybe do a little acting at some point. My friend Liam's dad works actually for Marvel and told me I should send in a tape. I didn't know who the character I was auditioning for, since, you know, it's Marvel. There were a few skype meetings, and then I met Kevin Feige for lunch and I got the part!
TV: Both of these industries, ballet and acting, are incredibly difficult fields. How do you manage the two?
CN: I'm lucky to be dancing in a company where I know the people very well, and I think growing up at the school was a big part of them deciding to allow me to have weeks off here and there so that I can film or do press for Marvel. Marvel is also so understanding about my schedule and they try not to take me away from San Francisco during important rehearsals or performances.
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TV: Last year, you had your debut performance as Juliet in Romeo & Juliet. Since then, you've had a few other feature roles. Anything exciting that we can expect?
CN: I'm hoping to keeping doing more prominent roles, but as of right now, I'm in the corps.
TV: You had a bit of a following on Instagram before Captain America Civil War, but now you have over 2 million followers. What made you gain followers before and how has that changed?
CN: I think I had about 40k before Marvel announced my involvement. I think it was mostly dancers and health food enthusiasts - now it's mostly marvel fans. Pretty much all of my followers are awesome, and I try to read most of the comments, they're so sweet!
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TV: Is there anyone famous that you particularly want to meet, or have already met?
Well, being such a huge fan of these movies before I became a part of them, I was so excited to meet Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, RDJ, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and all the other guys. I also looked up to Zendaya a lot and I still find it kind of crazy that we're friends. As for people I haven't met yet, I'd love to meet Harry Styles, because he seems like such a sweetheart and I love his music, and Alicia Vikander, because I love her work!
TV: Can we expect other acting projects outside of the MCU?
CN: I hope so! I've got a lot on my plate right now but I'd love to find time to film other genres of movies!
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TV: As a young woman, do you have any advice for girls reading this?
CN: Don't doubt yourself. Work hard, but also leave time for yourself. Follow your dreams, and make them a reality. Don't compare yourselves to anyone except for for past self. There's also a quote I read somewhere: "Only you are qualified to be you", so don't change yourself for anyone. Be authentic.
