Riley Dandy is emerging as a captivating presence in Hollywood, known for her compelling portrayals in projects such as A California Christmas: City Lights and Kappa Crypto. This year, she takes center stage as the lead in the romantic comedy That’s Amor, delivering a performance that has been described as delectable. The film, available on Netflix, follows Sofia, a character played by Dandy, who finds herself rebuilding her life after both her job and relationship end simultaneously. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she meets a charming Spanish chef, potentially the missing element in her life.
Discovering a Passion for Performance
Dandy’s journey into the arts began unconventionally, rooted in childhood dance classes. “I feel like no one has asked me that,” she shared about discovering her passion. “It’s a sweet question because everyone gets started somewhere.” A home video from her first dance recital captures her young self declaring, “I want to do that forever.” This early fascination evolved into community theater at age eleven, where she relished the feeling of “acting in front of strangers” and imagined herself as famous. Despite a period of shyness in high school, where she kept her theatrical pursuits a “secret little girlfriend on the side,” Dandy’s dedication remained. Upon graduating at seventeen, she moved to Los Angeles, attended acting school, and booked her first film shortly after graduating college, marking the beginning of a sustained career.
The Guiding Influence of a Supportive Mother
When asked about the biggest influence on her career, Dandy unequivocally named her mother. “I had an incredibly supportive mom,” she stated. Her mother’s unwavering support was evident from a young age, accompanying her to rehearsals until late at night and assisting her in navigating the early steps of seeking representation. Dandy recalled searching for an agent at fifteen and her mother’s willingness to explore workshops without hesitation. “She had no clue what to do, but she was like, ‘We’re going to figure this out. If you want to do it, then we’re going to commit to it.'” This maternal backing was instrumental in Dandy’s pursuit of her artistic dreams.
Translating Stage Skills to Screen Presence
Dandy’s extensive background in dance and live theater has provided a unique foundation for her on-screen work. While acknowledging the distinct nature of film acting compared to stage performance—recalling graduating college feeling unsure about working on set—she expressed enthusiasm for future opportunities in sitcoms. “That’s the closest thing to theater,” she explained, noting that her theater training has equipped her to “work well under pressure.” This ability to perform with confidence and adaptability, honed through years of live performance, has undoubtedly contributed to her success in the demanding environment of film and television.
Embracing the Role of Sofia in That’s Amor
In That’s Amor, Dandy portrays Sofia, a character she found relatable due to their shared traits, including a penchant for dry humor and cynicism. Sofia is navigating significant life changes and reconnecting with her mother, which leads her to reluctantly join a couples’ cooking class. It is within this setting that she encounters and begins to fall for the cooking instructor. Dandy described the film as a “feel-good romantic comedy on Netflix” where Sofia gradually “opens herself up to life happening to her.”
The experience of playing a character so similar to herself presented a dual challenge and ease. While Sofia’s dry humor and cynicism were “very easy” to embody, Dandy found it necessary to actively avoid judging Sofia’s reactions when they differed from her own. “I can’t judge her for that! She’s working through it differently,” she reflected, highlighting the actor’s process of understanding a character’s unique journey.
The Nuanced Arc of Sofia’s Self-Discovery
Dandy approached Sofia’s emotional journey, particularly her process of “letting down her walls,” with a focus on being present and adaptable on set. While extensive preparation is crucial, she emphasized the importance of “letting go of that and figuring it out” once filming begins. Fortunately, That’s Amor was shot in a relatively chronological order, which facilitated Dandy’s immersion in Sofia’s evolving emotional landscape. This consistency in filming allowed her to easily connect with the character’s development throughout the narrative.
Collaboration with Director Shaun Paul Piccinino
Working with director Shaun Paul Piccinino, an actor himself, brought a unique dynamic to the set. Dandy noted that Piccinino’s understanding of the performance process allowed him to “make an actor feel comfortable right off the bat.” He fostered an environment where actors felt encouraged to “let your freak flag fly” and express themselves creatively. Dandy found his approach, which frames filmmaking as an inherently fun endeavor, to be particularly valuable, especially on challenging days. His background as an actor, she believes, contributes to his ability to create a “warm environment” that acknowledges the imaginative nature of their work.
Balancing Comedy and Heartfelt Moments
The film skillfully balances comedic elements with grounded emotional scenes. Dandy highlighted a particular scene with Nancy Lenehan, who plays her mother, as a career highlight. Lenehan’s ability to deliver both comedic and subtle emotional performances deeply impressed Dandy. Another memorable experience was filming a montage of a Zumba class, described as one of the “most fun days” on set despite the actors’ collective discomfort and humorous attire.
Conversely, the most challenging scene for Dandy involved Sofia’s heartfelt goodbye to Matias, where she grapples with the necessity of self-kindness. This moment of emotional vulnerability, occurring on a bustling street amidst external noise, proved to be the most difficult to film. Dandy identified strongly with this scene, recognizing the human tendency to shy away from difficult emotional truths.
The Takeaways from Leading a Film
That’s Amor marks Dandy’s first leading role, an experience that offered several surprises. The most unexpected aspect was the demanding schedule, which often pulled her away from moments with her castmates. “I don’t want to leave, but I’m getting paid to leave,” she quipped, acknowledging the professional demands. The constant movement between different scenes and people also led to a sense of disorientation, leaving her hoping the final cut would cohere effectively.
The most significant takeaway from this experience, however, was learning the importance of self-care. Dandy found herself becoming her “own best friend” during filming, navigating the numerous moving parts and internal pressures. The fast-paced nature of production left little room for overthinking, fostering a mindset of “We’re moving on to the next thing.” This emphasis on self-preservation and well-being is a lesson she intends to carry forward to future projects.
Audience Reception and Future Aspirations
Dandy attributes the film’s success and resonance with audiences to its role as an “easy film to watch” amidst a chaotic world, complemented by delicious food and a handsome lead. More profoundly, she hopes viewers take away the message of “showing up for yourself,” a journey Sofia undertakes. Dandy echoes Matias’ sentiment that people should “learn to be kind to themselves,” emphasizing the importance of allowing oneself space to process experiences.
Looking ahead, Dandy identifies Anastasia as her “absolute dream role,” drawn to the character’s strength and the story’s enduring appeal. She also has a new horror film in the festival circuit, directed by Joe Begos, which she describes as containing “lots of explosions, fire, blood, and gore.”
To keep up with Riley Dandy’s latest projects and updates, follow her on Instagram. That’s Amor is currently available on Netflix.