Vaughan Reilly has had a pretty incredible start to her film career, making her debut in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and most recently playing Nora in the film Babygirl, which is out in theaters now. We Facetimed with Vaughan to learn more about her rising acting career, including working with the talented and star-studded cast on this film, portraying Nora, and what she learned both personally and professionally from those around her.

Babygirl is rated R for strong sexual content, nudity and language. Our interview with Vaughan focused on the acting processes and what she learned on set.

Babygirl follows Romy Mathis, played by Nicole Kidman, a high-powered CEO who puts her career and family on the line when she begins an affair with her much-younger intern. Antonio Banderas stars as Jacob Mathis, Romy’s husband and Harris Dickinson plays Samuel, Romy’s intern. Vaughan’s character Nora is Romy and Jacob’s youngest daughter and Esther McGregor plays their teenage daughter Isabel Mathis. 

“I feel like the projects that are the darkest emotionally in tone are the most closely knit.”

The film was directed by Halina Reijn, who Vaughan said was so collaborative and gave her a handwritten thank you note when filming wrapped. 

Vaughan is no stranger to the big screen, as she made her film debut playing Maude Ivory in The Hunger Games prequel The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes opposite Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth. Her TV credits include Russian Doll, The Equalizer and The Daily Show and she has an exciting project in the works for next year. 

Vaughan had one of the best audition stories for booking Nora. After filming a self tape and getting invited to an in-person callback, she got the call that she booked the role right after attending the premiere of The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Talk about the best 24 hours!

Because her character is the daughter of Romy and Jacob, Vaughan worked closely alongside both Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas. She said they were both so welcoming and incredibly talented at getting into their character’s headspaces. 

“[Antonio Banderas] has got the greatest voice. I know everyone knows that but he’s so awesome to listen to and he was very warm and welcoming.”

“Just watching Nicole Kidman completely drop into character was insane.”

Vaughan’s character is very dance-centric and has a lot of scenes where she is dancing with her family. Vaughan said she has always had dreams of being on Broadway, so getting the dance experience on set was super helpful. Now, in addition to her acting and singing, she is a triple threat!

“We did a lot of dancing because my character is very dance-centric… It was a very physically charged character.”

We had to ask Vaughan what she learned from The Hunger Games set and working with Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth and she learned a lot about work ethic and coming to set prepared every day. She even revealed she rarely if ever heard Rachel or Tom mess up lines and they were both incredibly kind.

“[Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth] were so dedicated and so prepared and they were the nicest people and if I somehow become a big actor someday, if I was half as good as they were, I would be happy.”

Thank you, Vaughan, for Facetiming with Young Entertainment! Make sure to follow her on her Instagram at @vaughan_reilly. Be sure to watch the rest of the interview where we ask her more about managing school and her acting career, her first and last day on set, and stay tuned till the end for a round of rapid fire questions. While you’re there, be sure to like and subscribe to our channel for the latest news in young entertainment. 

Consider this: 

• Come prepared each day you’re on set and take some time to watch your fellow actors in action. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions, they were once in your shoes!
• For younger actors, managing school on top of acting can be tough. It takes a lot of emotional stamina so stay on top of your work, stay organized, and ask for help if you need it.