Odessa A’zion Could Be Hollywood’s Next Leading Lady, But She’d Rather Be the Next Jack Nicholson

Acting is “a weird job,” says Odessa A’zion, who grew up steeped in the industry. But since appearing in 2011’s Conception—part of a cast that included Connie Britton, Jason Mantzoukas, and her mother, Pamela Adlon—the 25-year-old has turned the family trade into a calling. There was Am I OK? with Dakota Johnson, the Leslie Bibb co-led horror flick The Inhabitant, and the first season of Rachel Sennott’s sceney series I Love LA, which introduced A’zion to an unwieldy horde of chronically online fans.

Then came Marty Supreme. The Josh Safdie project was a last-minute 2025 blockbuster, in part through sheer force of will from its leading man, Timothée Chalamet, who spent months spreading the gospel of his ping-pong protagonist. As A’zion went toe-to-toe with Chalamet in shoot-outs and murky back rooms, she held her own in a project that’s already reigning over this year’s awards season.

But the actor isn’t resting on any laurels just yet; she’s itching to play more “layered, interesting, dirty, gritty characters”—the kind of roles that made her want to act in the first place.

When did you learn what it meant to be an actor?

I’m not sure if anyone knows what it means to be an actor. What I love about it is having the chance to drop into these alternate realities. You get to have experiences that you might never have in your own life.

When was the last time you surprised yourself on set?

A lot with Marty Supreme. When that role came along, I’d just had a tremendous loss in my life. It felt like a gift from that person: It’s going to be okay. At that time, I also didn’t know where my career was going, if I was going to keep doing indies and horror movies. I’m so grateful to have been involved in those projects, but I really wanted more.

Then came Marty Supreme. It was an incredible experience to be on set with people I had always dreamed of working with—and getting such meaningful feedback from them. The struggle was just trying to strip away the fear of judgment while doing something super vulnerable on camera. It’s such a weird job.

“I’ve heard ‘no’ so many more times than I’ve heard ‘yes.’ What are you going to do—linger over it? I don’t know about you, but I ain’t got the funds for that. Move on. Prep for the next audition.” —Odessa A’zion

How do you manage rejection?

No ritual. Just get on with your day, because you’re going to hear it a lot. I have lost so many jobs that I thought I would get. I’ve heard “no” so many more times than I’ve heard “yes.” What are you going to do—linger over it? I don’t know about you, but I ain’t got the funds for that. Move on. Prep for the next audition.

Name one film that got you through an important moment in your life. Why did you connect with it, and why does it stay with you?

Harold and Maude. It’s always been my go-to. The performances are incredible, and their relationship is so beautiful. It deals with loss and death in a beautiful way—and I’ve returned to it a lot in the last two years as I’ve been dealing with that. That film reminds me that life isn’t so serious, that many of the rules that we have in place for ourselves are stupid. We’re here. We experience it. When we’re ready to let go, we don’t have to be afraid.

Whose career arc do you envy in the industry?

Jack Nicholson, just roles-wise. His characters always feel a little dangerous; they’re always on edge. I love that. I want to play characters with real depth and layers to them.

What’s the single greatest challenge of being a young actor today?

Criticism and assumptions. You don’t have to be a writer at Rolling Stone for people to listen to what you’re saying, which is what I think is really dangerous. People speaking about you when they don’t know you or what you’ve been through… that pisses me the fuck off. I’m like, Girl—what?

What’s one thing you regret about your career so far?

I don’t know—everything is learning. I wouldn’t have been able to do any of the projects I’ve done if I hadn’t done the one before it. Even if I sucked in it or if I think the project was terrible, you’ve got to build. Hopefully, I’ve gotten better over time, because I definitely don’t think I was a good actor when I was younger.

What’s your on-set pet peeve?

Assholes. Big, big, big, big pet peeve. Get off the fucking set. What are you doing here? It’s just so easy to be nice.

What do you think is different about the actor’s experience now, that previous generations didn’t have to reconcile with?

Everyone is a journalist now. You don’t have to be a writer at Rolling Stone for people to listen to what you’re saying, which is why I think it’s really dangerous. Social media is really dangerous because people spread misinformation online without knowing about a subject, assuming things, and then speaking on someone’s behalf when they can’t really defend themselves or even if they try to, people will not believe you. 

What have you done beyond one role after another that’s helped you strengthen your skills?

Non-acting wise? For Marty Supreme, I stripped all the hair color out of my hair. I’m allergic to hair dye, so I can’t use real dye. I have to use this weird dye that always makes my hair look a little green or purple, so we had to strip it all out while filming. I watched a lot of Hitchcock. I cut all my hair off. For the belly, I wore weights and a corset underneath, because I wanted to feel restricted, like I couldn’t breathe.

There’s some stuff like that per role, which I’ll do physically and emotionally. When I’m not acting, I do music as well. I haven’t had the time to really get into it recently, which sucks. Hopefully next year I’ll have some music out. 

What do you want next for yourself most of all?

I really hope to continue working with people, like the whole cast and crew behind Marty Supreme and I Love LA. Of course, Marty Supreme is extra special for me emotionally. I felt like that character came at a time where I really needed her. I feel really connected to that movie and those people. Hopefully, to continue working with people like that and playing really layered, interesting, dirty, gritty characters.

Can you elaborate slightly on why that character feels so resonant?

I really feel for her in a lot of ways, and think that she’s really special. I care about her. It’s crazy because she’s a made-up person. I don’t know, I feel like I really knew her. A big reason why was because I just had a tremendous loss in my life. It felt like a gift from that person, which said, “It’s going to be okay.” Another part was that I didn’t know where my career was going, and if I was going to keep doing indies and horror movies. I’m so grateful to have been a part of those projects, but also really wanted more and to play characters like Rachel.

This feature is part of CULTURED’s 2026 Young Hollywood portfolio. Read interviews with Tyriq Withers, Iris Apatow, and more.

Purchase your copy of the Entertainers issue featuring Odessa A’zion here.