In a very short amount of time, Sydney Mikayla has become quite an important piece of the storyline puzzle on General Hospital. Her character Trina is mixed up with the teen crowd along with Eden McCoy, William Lipton, and Ashton Arbab – and she’s the centerpiece of her mixed up Post Charles family, as well.
You’re back! Were you anxious to return to the GH set?
Sydney: I was super excited! I was so glad to be out of the house and see my friends.
Was it exciting to see your co-stars or more awkward to not give them a hug?
Sydney: Although I couldn’t physically hug my co-stars, just being able to see their faces in person and to talk again – even if we had to do it from a distance and with masks on – was just as exciting.
Did you have a fun time taping the Nurses Ball?
Sydney: Absolutely! Even though I didn’t get to wear a fancy dress, it was super fun to perform with William and Eden. We had a blast.
Your character on GH is ever expanding, next year it’s time for a Trina solo?
Sydney: Hopefully! I would be super stoked if William could write me a song.
What song would you love to stand on stage and be front and center?
Sydney: I would really love to sing an original song that the crowd would enjoy or maybe even do a dance – I better stay in dance class just in case I need to bust a move).
Are you nervous performing in front of the GH cast sitting in the audience staring at you, or is it comforting knowing they’re pulling for you?
Sydney: Personally, I really didn’t feel too nervous because the only people really watching our Nurses Ball performance in real time was the crew. Eden, William, and I also practiced our song beforehand, so I knew nothing would really go wrong.
What has been your favorite Nurses Ball performance to watch?
Sydney: My favorite Nurses Ball performance was watching the other nurses sing a ballad. I loved seeing some characters I usually don’t see on the show and I thought it was a beautiful song.
How have you held up during Covid-19?
Sydney: My mom has discovered every outside activity there is. From horseback riding to hiking near the ocean, I have fallen in love with nature like never before.
What have you learned about yourself, these past few months?
Sydney:I have definitely learned that I don’t need social media as much as I thought I did. I feel like I’ve really disconnected – for better or worse – but I feel like its helped me to become in touch with the real world.
What are you most looking forward to when things get back to normal?
Sydney: Movie theater popcorn! Not even the movie theaters themselves, just the popcorn. I know you can buy microwave movie theater popcorn, but it’s nothing like the real thing.
Have you found any new hobbies or projects to work on during this time?
Sydney: I’ve really gotten into baking! I’ve made funnel cakes, churros, cakes, cupcakes, and so much more. I’ve got to say, I don’t think I’d make a very good mom because I would only be able to make my kids sweet treats.
What’s the most important thing your dad ever taught you?
Sydney: The most important thing my dad has ever taught me is how to be compassionate to others and how to follow God. I know he holds his faith very close to his heart, and I appreciate the way he has tried to pass that down to me.
Is there one trip or adventure you took with your mom that stands out more than others?
For my dad’s 50th birthday, my mom surprised us and we went horseback riding! I found out I was pretty good at it. I got to ride a horse that was featured in a Barbie commercial, so that was pretty cool.
What was your favorite way to spend the weekend, usually?
Sydney: Sleeping. That’s it.
What tv show would fans be surprised you never miss?
Sydney: Well now that Moesha is out on Netflix, I’m hooked. It’s a really fun show, and I could totally see myself living in the 90s.
What other riveting television do you watch?
Sydney: I’m really into the Umbrella Academy on Netflix. I love shows that have a lot of conspiracy theories and can take multiple times to understand the Easter Eggs of the show.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Sydney: Hopefully, once covid is over, I want to be able to say Hawaii. For now, I guess I’ll go with Palm Springs.
Tell me about your guest staring role on Fuller House?
Sydney: It was one of the only shows I did that was in front of a live studio audience. It was really fun being able to get their reactions while doing the television show, and meeting some of the cast from Full House.
Was John Stamos acting in any of your scenes – or producing on set?
Sydney: I wish!
Did you talk to him about being in General Hospital?
Sydney: I wish I could have. He’s a really amazing actor and I hope to work with him one day.
Can you tell me about Craig of the Creek and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts? It’s fun and different doing voice work?
Sydney: I love being on both Craig of the Creek and Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts. In Kipo I voice the role of Wolf, a super tough Apocalypse survivor and best friend to the main character. I felt so blessed to be a part of that project and the cast is amazing. On Craig of the Creek, fans can hear me playing the role of Maya, the Kings no-nonsense assistant. I think it’s fun doing voice work. I don’t see voice acting as a different talent, I believe doing voice overs is a form of acting. The best part is you can do voice auditions from home in your PJs.
Is there any place you’ve always wanted to visit, but haven’t?
Sydney: Now that William has talked about it so much, I think I would want to visit Sweden. The way he describes the beauty of Sweden in summer makes me really want to go.
What is your favorite sport to play?
Sydney: While I don’t play sports, my dad’s been trying to get me into tennis. I’m not very good, but at least I can make him laugh.
What do you miss more, live sporting events or go to movie theaters?
Sydney: I definitely miss the movie theaters. Before the pandemic I was planning to see Candyman directed by Jordan Peele – R rated. I love his work and was so excited to see it – without the parents – so hopefully that will still happen when Covid is over.
Favorite tv show?
Sydney: One of my favorite TV shows is Gravity Falls on Disney Channel. It’s one of those shows that has a lot of plot changes and hidden messages.
What is the biggest event you’ve attended?
Sydney: I think maybe I was in the sixth grade, I had a chance to sing at an Essence event honoring Black Women. I got to meet stars like Zendaya, Oprah and Anika Noni Rose.
What one event in history did you wish you hadn’t missed?
In general, I think I just wish I was alive in the 90s. The fashion, music, and the culture of the time was pretty much the same as todays, I feel like the only difference is that there was no social media and no Covid. My kind of scene.
What movie star would you love to star opposite of right now – what kind of movie would it be?
Sydney: I think I would love to do a coming of age movie with Viola Davis as my mom.
Are you a great cook, are you?
Sydney: I’m not a great cook, but I think I’m a pretty good baker. I even bought some baking tools to decorate cakes.
What is your specialty?
Sydney: Lemon cake – just like my Grandma Tina’s.
Do you ever cook dinner for your parents?
Sydney: I cooked breakfast on Father’s Day, does that count?
Would they tell you if it wasn’t all that good?
Sydney: They would do something even worse – feed it to the dog!
Jim Warren
HollywoodHI