“I never really viewed her as a bitch,” laughed Holland Roden when discussing her character Lydia from the hit MTV show, Teen Wolf. Roden would prefer to think of her character as a misunderstood Queen Bee, a more complex version of the hot, popular girl – one who is also intelligent, knows what she wants, and most recently, has acquired the powers of a banshee.
Roden’s passion for acting took root early. She fell in love with the power of storytelling when she was young, but she found it difficult to choose just one path. “I always had a few passions. When I thought maybe this could be something I could do for a living, I went to college in Los Angeles with that in the back of my mind.” Roden started her academic career in pre-med, inspired by her father’s years’ long work with Doctors Without Borders. “I’d love to be able to do that with him, so we’ll see what happens down the road.” Eventually she transferred to Women’s Studies, likely influenced by her many years at an all girl’s school. “I didn’t sit in a class with boys until I was sixteen!” All of which has influenced her today.
When she’s not filming the newest season of Teen Wolf, she’s working on several side projects. “I’m putting together a docu- series about the food industry with my best friend,” Roden revealed. The doc allows her to apply both her on-camera talents and intellect, together all with the help of her best friend. A triple crown of girl power with a helpful intent is born. “I’m a junk food junkie, and I don’t want to be. I was raised on disgusting food… Also, the food industry is just atrocious now.”
From a teen fantasy drama to a documentary about food – her love of interesting stories, fact or fiction, crosses a wide gamut. And if Roden’s career has taught her anything it’s that anything is possible, even a ginger as the Prom Queen. “I really applaud MTV for hiring the pale redhead to play the popular girl. That’s new, you don’t really see a lot of that.”
Interview by Indira Cesarine for The Untitled Magazine #GirlPower Issue
Photography by Romona Rosales
Stylist: Kelly Brown
Make-up by Liset Garza
Hair by Christine Nelli Photographed at Maison 140 Hotel
This article originally appeared in The #GirlPower Issue of The Untitled Magazine (2015), pick up a print edition of the issue today!
