Sophia Hammons of ‘Freakier Friday’ Makes Playing a ‘Demon Child’ Look Good

Glamour: My first question is a random one, but I have to ask. Given that neither you or Manny Jacinto are British, why do you think they kept your characters’ London roots and had you both learn English accents for the film?

Sophia Hammons: I think it was some sort of ode to Parent Trap, but I don’t know.

I loved all those Easter eggs. You’ve been acting since you were a child. What made you want to start going to auditions?

I was a huge theater kid. I loved it so much. I was so committed. I was flying out to New York to do these Broadway casting calls if I saw one on the internet or something. I got rejected pretty much every time. I was always a little too tall, or I just wasn’t in the same talent level because Broadway kids are so good.

I remember walking around Central Park with my dad after being rejected from an audition, and he was like, “Why don’t you try film and TV?” And I was like, “Oh, wait, that sounds very interesting.” So then I tried that, and here we are. It’s been a long journey, but I’m so proud of myself. Honestly. I wish I could tell the girl in Central Park that everything will be fine and that it’ll work out.

The original Freaky Friday came out before you were born but has become a classic. Had you seen it before you got the opportunity to try out for the sequel?

Oh my gosh, absolutely. I watched it for the first time when I was 12 or 13. My middle school was a performing arts school, and we would have Freaky Friday days where we would switch clothes with our friends. Students would dress up as teachers, and teachers would try to dress up as teenagers. It was really fun. Sometimes in class they would show the movie. So that’s such a full-circle moment.

What first drew you to your character, Lily?

It’s funny because the first time I read Lily’s character description, I was like, What? I don’t relate to this at all. I’m not a British preppy girl. But then, as soon as I read more…I was like, Oh, I got it. This makes so much more sense.

One of the great things about playing Lily is she has so much depth to her. At first glance she’s exactly how Harper describes her in the movie, like a little demon child. But there’s so much more to her. I love her. I love how we see her vulnerability and her heart.

You and Julia Butters became quick BFFs on set. Did you bond right away?

It just happened. It was so weird. Even Jamie was like, What’s going on? She was telling us that she actually had a meeting with the producers and was like, “Okay, so what happens if they get in a fight? Because they’re getting close really quickly. Something is bound to go wrong.”