Photo via. Simon Needham

Young Adult: What was it like growing up and living in the UK? Is being in the US any different? Judi Shekoni: Growing up in the UK does seem quite different from the USA I just wish I could figure out how! Somehow the UK feels more ‘real’ and also it feels like a tighter community within the country as a whole probably because it is smaller. American is like 4/5 countries in one. But the same way I was brought up in a smaller city and dreamed of moving to the capital London to make it big most kids in america probably have the same dream so their a lot of just human similarities. YA: What made you want to be an actress? JS: I loved movies and I loved the idea of getting the opportunity to live many different lives. Certain things I probably will never be in real life – an FBI agent or a Nuclear scientist – but acting allows me that opportunity.

YA: What was your process of getting the role of Zafrina in The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2, from hearing about the part, auditioning, and getting the part?
JS: I saw that they were auditioning for the part and I spoke to my manager insisting he get me in. It only took one audition – I already had read the books and movies so had a clear understanding of the character. I did have my friend help me with the audition though and we played about with the lines. Funnily enough my car actually got towed the day of my audition for parking in the wrong spot so I had to walk there – maybe that helped with the animalistic fury Zafrina can sometimes feel! 6 weeks after the audition they simply called and offered me the job it took me about 1 second to  accept I knew this would be one of those ‘Change your life-ers’ that actors dream of.

YA: To receiving the role of Zafrina, had you read the books in The Twilight Saga? If not, have you read them now? And if so, what do you think of them?
JS: I had already read all the books and breaking dawn was sat on my book shelf. It made life easy – I had already done my 2 years of Daniel Day Lewis research on the character before I had even got the role! 

YA: Just for fun—Team Edward or Team Jacob? 
JS: Team Edward – he got me first and I’m loyal 😉 

YA: What can you tell us about Zafrina, the character you portray in Breaking Dawn? Is it cool to play someone that’s from the Amazon?
JS: It’s wonderful to play someone from the Amazon. I had not had a lot of experience or knowledge about the Amazon so my research really allowed me to learn so much. I really want to go there and I just gained so much respect as curiosity towards the Amazonian Indians and it felt like such a honor to represent them.  I really want to go and spend time there. And the Brazilian fans have been SO supportive I feel like they are my people now. 

YA: What’s it like to have a part in such a successful, widely-known movie franchise?
JS: It’s so much fun! Interviews, photoshoots, talking to fans and having this wonderful thing in the horizon coming up. It’s one of the jobs that make all the hard times worthwhile and I count my many blessings to have an opportunity to be a part of this. I know Zafrina and Twilight will be a part of my life forever and that’s great by me. 

YA: What was your favorite part of filming Breaking Dawn? Least favorite?
JS: Favorite was getting to use my special power. Just cool – even as an actor you may never get the chance to do that but to have one, and use it and have such a great team there to bring the effect to life – thrilling. And the worst part – hmm… Maybe knowing that I have come in at the end and there probably won’t be any more. Shooting a Twilight a year for a few years would be have been cool with me.

YA: Now that Breaking Dawn is done filming, what’s next for you in your career?
JS: Hopefully more amazing movies – I go with the flow, I have some wonderful possibilities on the horizon so will see how they pan out. I would love do something to really show my acting chops – I have worked my butt off in LA away from friends and family to become great at this craft – I would love the opportunity to really do some acting gymnastics next 🙂

YA: Do you have any advice for people that are aspiring actors?
JS: Whatever created us did not give us 4 arms, our nose didn’t carry on growing to 2 feet long. We didn’t grow 3 ears, or our eyelashes grow so long we can’t see. Everything about us was put into our seed to grow just right to the right size. length, shape… So it seems unlikely that he/she/it would put in us a dream, a desire to do something or be a something – and that just simply be a mistake.  Work from there, if that desire is put in you – it is meant to be fulfilled and the only thing that can stop you – is you. Just keep going till you get it. Period. End of story.