How Did Saleka Shyamalan Land a Lead Role in ‘Trap’? (It’s Not Just That She Knew the Director)

As a fan, I am absolutely thrilled about Saleka Shyamalan‘s acting debut and her collaboration with her legendary father, M. Night Shyamalan, in their upcoming film “Trap”. Her journey from studying classical piano to becoming a singer-songwriter and now an actress is nothing short of inspiring.


Saleka Shyamalan, a 27-year-old singer-songwriter who has opened for artists like Giveon and Boyz II Men, and her father, M. Night Shyamalan, have discussed collaborating on a film for quite some time. Saleka has contributed original music to her father’s recent projects, including an individual track for the movie “Old” (2021) and an entire EP for his Apple TV+ series “Servant.” She describes these opportunities as trials that were successfully passed. To spark their creativity, they drew inspiration from films like “Purple Rain” and Bollywood productions, focusing on how music can be integral to storytelling.

As a long-time fan of M. Night Shyamalan’s films, I was thrilled to learn that his daughter, the talented and multitalented Raya Shyamalan, is making her acting debut in his latest movie, “Trap.” Given my passion for music as well, I find it even more exciting that she has written 14 songs for this film, which will also be included on its soundtrack. With a rich musical background and a strong family connection to the film industry, Raya is poised to make a significant impact in both fields. I can’t wait to see her performance in “Trap,” and hear the songs she has created, when it hits theaters on August 2nd.

Despite spending most of her childhood watching her father and film crew artists on movie sets, Shyamalan nurtured a dream for a music career from an early age. “I immersed myself in classical piano, aiming to become a concert pianist and attend a conservatory,” she recounts. However, at the age of 16, she felt an urge to write and compose her own work, opting for a new creative outlet. In 2022, she unveiled her first album, titled Séance, under the name Saleka.

She had a chat over Zoom with someone from São Paulo, Brazil, during a pause in her rehearsals for a concert, to discuss the exciting details of her family’s ventures.

In the concert sequences, you portray pop star Lady Raven. Is the character performing on screen a representation of yourself or more like an alternate persona?

We frequently discussed the identities of Lady Raven and Saleka, along with their distinct differences. Unlike myself, she’s currently on a stadium tour, which got me thinking about what it would feel like to step into the shoes of this popular pop star who empowers young fans through her music. To portray her, I adopted a lot of sassiness and playfulness. After filming, when my father first saw one of my performances, he commented, “You’ve changed.” My mannerisms and speech became more self-assured following the character portrayal.

The movie’s concert takes place in the midst of a huge world tour. What was filming that like?

While recording the performance, we aimed to mimic a genuine live concert experience. Due to the multiple camera angles required, we played several songs repeatedly. However, unlike in a real concert, there was no option to pause and re-record during a song. Instead, a cameraman captured the onstage action and instantly broadcast it onto the stadium screens. The atmosphere was electrifying with the massive crowd shouting and joining in the music. Given that we usually prepare for a stadium tour over several months, the fact that we only had a few weeks to prepare made things quite challenging.

Does having the backing of your dad make you feel more protected going into this business?

Working on this film has given me a stronger sense of confidence in my professional journey. While I haven’t reached a point where I can say, “I’ve made it,” I am determined to press on until I absolutely can’t anymore. Even if I need to take up another job to make ends meet, I will continue with music. My commitment to this field stems largely from observing my father. Despite his immense success, he experiences periods of doubt with each new project, which I witnessed as his children. We saw our dad navigate the highs and lows of the industry, the challenges of creating original work, and the exposure it brings for criticism. When I decided to pursue this career path, I was fully aware of its inherent instability and vulnerability.

Were you allowed to see your dad’s films as they came out?

When he was creating his terrifying films, we were still quite young and forbidden from watching them. However, as we reached the ages of 10 or 11, he’d screen one film on each of our birthdays. It seems like he might have chosen to present them in the order they were made.

To be completely truthful, I must admit that sometimes, collaborating with M. Night Shyamalan feels as familiar as working with my own family – in a sense of shared passion and mutual respect for our craft. Yet, there are moments when his genius leaves me feeling like an apprentice learning from a master, which can be slightly humbling. Ultimately, it’s an honor to be part of his vision, making it feel less like a director-actor relationship and more like a creative partnership.

In everyday life, my dad occasionally makes cringe-worthy moments by sharing stories I’d rather he didn’t or asking questions that make me blush in front of friends. However, on set, his cool demeanor and ability to connect with anyone transforms the atmosphere. Consequently, I often felt out of place, but having him run the show made me feel secure and sheltered. It seemed almost miraculous to have him by my side during this experience. Truly, it was a privilege to have him there.

As a dedicated movie buff with years of subscribing to various film magazines under my belt, I can confidently say that I eagerly await each new issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Last month, I was thrilled to find an interesting story in its July 31 edition that caught my attention. If you’re a fan like me, I highly recommend subscribing so you don’t miss out on the latest scoops and insights from Tinseltown!

Read More

2024-07-31 19:55