Rising Star Alexis Louder: How This Georgia Native is Taking Hollywood by Storm

Dubbed "The Hollywood of the South," Atlanta's film scene is booming—and Alexis Louder (@alexislouder) is leading the pack. After landing roles on hit films like Black Panther, Tomorrow War and Copshop, Louder's career is just heating up. What's next for the actress? We sat down to get the inside scoop—Here's what she had to say.

PHOTO BY EMMA MEAD

How did you know you wanted to pursue a career in acting? Was it something you wanted from a young age or something you fell into?

I found acting through a drama class in high school. Before that, I never saw acting as a career. [It was a] ‘good for them’ type of thing. But, I was excited to become a doctor in someone’s emergency room without knowing what all being a doctor means. I was mentally prepared for 12 years of school. I had no issues with blood, but I didn’t want to have to hurt people to help them. That was the thing that took me out of it. I didn’t realize any of this until after I fell in love with acting, and thought I was going to become the first doctor/actor. Ken Jeong beat me to it.

PHOTO BY EMMA MEAD

When choosing where to start your postgrad career, why Atlanta?

I couldn’t afford New York or Los Angeles, honestly. Atlanta financially made more sense. Then, I built a community of actors and creators. My mom and little brother moved to Atlanta soon after. Eventually, I got the attention of reps in Los Angeles, and they had no issue with me staying in Atlanta. So, once I had a foundation of a great support system, I saw no reason to leave.

Speaking of Atlanta, what’s your favorite thing about living in the Peach State?

I love that our grass is grass and it’s green! Also, as I said, the support system here is incomparable. People just want to make the Atlanta market elite, together, as a whole. There’s so much opportunity here as well, for all levels of talent and crew. And we have the best food.

At 26, you have quite the résumé. Which role has been your favorite so far?

I have been lucky enough to play so many great roles! I couldn’t dare rank them or say which one was my favorite because each of them led to the next opportunity and taught me something that I needed in my career and/or in my life. I will give an honorable mention to Copshop for being my first lead, and Watchmen because it was so surreal how it came to me. I auditioned for that project with barely any sides, not knowing what was going on, and then I received a callback that was scheduled for the same day that I had to be backstage for a play by the name of Deep Greenwood. They allowed me to reschedule my callback. When I went in, they finally explained to me what was happening in the scene I was in and the subject matter, and then I informed them I just closed a play about the Tulsa Massacre as well. Only God can do that.

You’ve worked alongside some of the industry’s best. Who have been your favorite stars to work with so far?

I don’t have a favorite, but I love them all for different reasons. Regina King was amazing to look up to and see a dream realized. Chris Pratt was a lot of fun, had great energy and was spiritually sound, and his team worked diligently to get me on his next project successfully. Ethan Hawke brought a humility that I wasn’t expecting, and he’s a true chameleon on and off the screen. Alfre Woodard was so generous with her time, talent and spirit, and I will never, ever forget that. There are too many to list, but no favorites, all loved equally!

Your performance as Valerie Young in Copshop was described as “compelling” and “showstopping” by critics. How did you prepare for the role?

Physically, I practiced twirling day and night. Performance-wise, I brought to filming what I brought to my audition. I guess there was a piece of Valerie in me all along that I just needed to let out.

What’s next for you?

I just wrapped a series for Apple TV called The Changeling based on Victor LaValle’s novel of the same title. I’m excited for people to see what we’ve created. It’s Black weird at its finest and I was certainly stretched by that role.