Yellowjackets’ Sophie Nélisse in Bathing Suit is “So Far, So Good”

Sophie Nélisse wowed us all on the Showtime series Yellowjackets, playing young Shauna, the teenage survivor of a plane crash with her fellow high school soccer players who grows up locked into a mystery that involves cannibalism, murder and betrayal. How did the 24-year-old Canadian land such a role, and how does she stay mentally fit? (One way is to take a vacation after all the hard work; she just shared photos of herself in a swimsuit in her recent “Mexico roll” photo dump.) Read on to see 5 ways Sophie Nélisse approaches life and work and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She’s “Never Satisfied” With Her Work and “Shocked” at all the Love

“I'm quite the pessimist in general,” she told Dead Talk Live when asked about whether or not she thought Yellowjackets would get a second season. (It has.) “Like I'm never satisfied with any of the work that I do. So I was quite skeptical. But the show runners and everyone that was working on the project, they kept telling us towards the end of the shoot, how amazing the first episodes were and how the response to it was great. And they were very confident that the show would get the amount of love and respect that it got. I was skeptical. But it's hard to say when you're in it, when you're shooting it, there's always little things that you see that other people don't….I mean, I'm still kind of shocked at the amount of love we've been getting.”

2. This is Why the Show Broke Out So Fast, She Thinks

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Why did Yellowjackets become such an immediate smash? “I think it's because it's mostly a bunch of women and that's something we're not used to seeing,” she told Dead Talk Live. “We're used to seeing groups of people and, and we know that men are strong and capable of such cruelty and aggressivity. And that's not expected of women. We're not used to seeing women's darker side and flaws. And I think that that's what makes the show so unique and, to see how strong women are together, when we work as a team and as a group were kind of undefeatable and I think that's what's so amazing about the show.”

3. This is How She Approached Playing a Younger Version of a Well-Known Actress

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Sophie Nélisse attends Vulture Festival 2021 at The Hollywood Roosevelt on November 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images for Vulture)

Playing a young Melanie Lynskey, “For me, it wasn't that difficult because if you look at it from a character point of view, my character, when she's set in the wilderness or at any time, actually doesn't know what's gonna happen ahead of her,” she told Dead Talk News. “So I try not to let anything that's written of my older self affect my character, the way I play things, because Shauna doesn't know what events are about to happen. She doesn't know if she's gonna kill someone. She doesn't know what's to come. So I kind of try to just take it day by day. Obviously now that I've seen the first season and, and seen how Melanie plays Shauna, there are little things that I've picked up on, like the way she clenches her lips together sometimes, or the way she just plays certain lines, the dark humor that she brings to it. Those are definitely things that I'm gonna try to incorporate in the second season, if I have a chance.”

4. She Underwent a Physical Transformation

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 13: Sophie Nélisse attends Vulture Festival 2021 at The Hollywood Roosevelt on November 13, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)

To play a young Shauna, “I had to go through obviously some physical changes because I'm blonde with blue eyes and in the show I've” got brown hair “with brown eyes. And I also noticed when we first started talking that we have quite a different like pitch in her voice, like she speaks way higher and I speak quite lower. So we kind of had to adjust to sort of meet in the middle and kind of, sort of sound the same.”

5. Here’s Why She Became an Actor

WESTWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: Sophie Nelisse attends the LA Premiere of Entertainment Studios' "47 Meters Down Uncaged" at Regency Village Theatre on August 13, 2019 in Westwood, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

“I kind of fell into acting when I was young because my brother wanted to become an actor,” she said at the Toronto International Film Festival way back in 2016. “And at the time I was doing gymnastics, so I kind of just started acting a bit to get money, to pay for the travel expenses. And recently I was sitting down because I needed to find what I needed to study after I finished high school and I was looking at all these different jobs and I was like, nothing is as interesting as like acting. And I was like, there's nothing that fits with my personality as much as acting. I was like, being an actress: It makes me travel. It makes me meet different people every day. And the kind of the routine of like a job that you do the same thing every day, that really bugs me. And with acting, I don't have that. It's always something different and something new. And so I discovered that I really wanted to be an actress, only like three months ago.”

Sophie Nélisse, star of the Emmy-nominated Yellowjackets, is on vacation in a resort. And fortunately it's not a cabin in the woods. Nelisse posted a series of photos of herself and a friend lounging on a chair. They both wore swimsuits, looking stunning. Nélisse captioned the post, “Snuggles and cuddles,” tagging the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Québec, How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Sophie Nélisse stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Goes To The Beach

Nélisse loves to go to the beach. Her Instagram account is full of photos of herself enjoying time by and in the water. She posted this photo of herself and a friend jumping in the water in Lac Orford. She captioned the photo, “Fly me to the moon.”

2. She Hikes

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Nélisse loves to spend time outside. One thing she likes to do is go hiking. She posted these photos on Instagram of herself hiking in South Dakota. She captioned the post, “South Dakota, you did well. I loved how much diversity we got to experience in such proximity to each other. From important historical sites, to fields of green with cotton candy skies in Custer, to hikes surrounded by immense and colorful rocks in Badlands National Park. I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better trip. The wildlife, fresh air, sunsets, and trees were everything I needed right now.”

3. She Horseback Rides

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Another thing Nélisse did on vacation in South Dakota was go horseback riding. She posted these photos and one video on Instagram of herself going for a ride on a trail. She captioned the post, “His name is Trigger. We are very good friends now.”

4. She Challenges Herself

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Nélisse talks about what roles she likes to go for in an interview with ELLE. She says that she likes to push herself when it comes to acting. “I also try to go for characters that are out of my comfort zone. I come from quite a sporting background, so the competitiveness inside of me wants to take on characters that offer a challenge.”

5. She Kayaks

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Another outdoor activity Nélisse likes to do is go kayaking. She posted this photo on Instagram of herself kayaking in Ha Long Bay. She captioned the post, “Not gonna lie, it’s been pretty cold and rainy since we got here, so we’ve decided to head south earlier than planned. But even though the weather isn't the best, today was so surreal and I‘m beyond grateful to be on this trip.🦎Here’s to many more days like these.”

Actress Sophie Nélisse first made waves when she starred as the lead in the film adaptation of The Book Thief. She currently stars on the hit HBO series, Yellowjackets. Nélisse recently enjoyed a beach day. She shared a new photo from the day on her Instagram story. In it, Nélisse stood in the water by the rocks in a two-piece swimsuit. How does she stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Sophie Nélisse stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She’s Confident

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Nélisse opened up about her life and career in an interview with ELLE. She says that she has a lot of confidence in herself, and that this has helped her in life. Nélisse cites wardrobe as something that has worked for her. “At the end of the day, I realized that it’s a lot about confidence. If you feel good in it and you feel comfortable, it’ll look amazing.”

2. She Challenges Herself

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Nélisse opened up about her process of choosing roles to audition for to ELLE. She says that she likes to challenge herself, and likes roles that have a lot of nuance. Nélisse says that these are the reasons she auditioned for Yellowjackets. “I think that’s so interesting to be able to offer nuances because we’re all so nuanced as human beings, so I love embracing that,” she explains. “I also try to go for characters that are out of my comfort zone. I come from quite a sporting background, so the competitiveness inside of me wants to take on characters that offer a challenge.”

3. She’s Grateful

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Nélisse tells ELLE that she is extremely grateful for the career and opportunities she’s been able to have. “I’m so grateful for coming from Montreal because I’ve kind of grown up out of the spotlight. I’ve just been crazy lucky to have been able to work with amazing directors—so many talented women. It still feels very surreal when I go to events and get to walk alongside actors that I admire so much. But I’m also happy when I have my little bubble back.”

4. She Hikes

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Nélisse spends a lot of time outside. One thing she likes to do to stay in shape is go hiking. She shares a lot of hiking posts on her Instagram page. Nélisse shared these photos of herself hiking in a field and by the rocks. She captioned the post, “My mom’s mad because I didn’t take a picture of the tarantula I found in the desert. In fact, I ran away as fast as I could.”

5. She Swims

Sophie Nélisse/Instagram

Another outdoor activity Nélisse likes to do to stay in shape is going biking. She shared these photos on Instagram from a trip to Stanley Park, including one of her biking. Nélisse captioned the post, “More days like this please.” Better Health reports that biking has a lot of benefits. “Cycling can help to protect you from serious diseases such as stroke, heart attack, some cancers, depression, diabetes, obesity and arthritis. Riding a bike is healthy, fun and a low-impact form of exercise for all ages.”

On the Showtime hit series Yellowjackets, every one of the young stars is a breakout. But one may look more familiar than others: Ella Purnell has been working since age 9, appearing in films like Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children and Army of the Dead, as well as the TV series Sweetbitter. Now, the 25-year-old Brit (yes, she’s British!) is finally getting the mega-fans she deserves. And she took a trip to Barbados to decompress. “I made my mum take these,” she captioned some photos of her in a blue bathing suit. “STOP IT,” commented her costar Sophie Nélisse. “Stop. STOOOP.” Added Melanie Lynskey, also of the show: “Hahaha (also GOOD LORD you are gorgeous!!!)” Read on to see 5 ways Ella Purnell stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She Works Out, Sometimes With Her Mom

“Working out with mama!” Purnell captioned a pic of the two in a gym. “Exercise and physical activity can be enjoyable. They give you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting,” says the Mayo Clinic. “So take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. Bored? Try something new, or do something with friends or family.”

2. She Trained for an Action Movie

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For the movie Army of the Dead: “I went to the gym and did boxing lessons with my stepdad, but I’m just not that way inclined. I’ve got the upper-body strength of a spoon and I’m not very coordinated. I’d get told off because if I try to look cool, I’m doing something else weird with my limbs. When I was running, if I’m holding my gun with one hand, I’m doing gun hands with the other [laughs]. We spent time with these two nice ex-army dudes. They taught us how to shoot, move as a team and have each other’s backs,” she told Vogue.

3. Here are Sage Words About Mental Health

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“I didn’t realise that with this support system that I’ve relied on to be there for me—my friends and family who love me and who I love—sometimes you have to tell them you love them. Now what I’m finding interesting is choosing how to spend my time and the people I surround myself with, and how that has a direct impact on my mental health. I had some big talks this year. I’ve got friends of 15 years and we haven’t had a deep conversation in five or six years. Time doesn’t stop like that very often and it won’t stop in the future, so it’s about taking that time out to do that,” she told Vogue.

4. This Was Her Comfort During the Early Days of the Pandemic

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“White chocolate and raspberry muffins! [laughs] I was based in Los Angeles for the majority of lockdown. I was reading through my journal a couple of nights ago, and I was like, ‘Wow!’ I grew up. A lot of stuff went down in my personal life and I had to find hobbies. I’ve been working since I was nine years old. I feel like I was sort of deficient in other parts of my life. My relationships got stronger. I discovered that I love plants, painting and writing poetry. I went camping for a month in California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. I learned a lot about myself and overcame some demons,” she told Vogue.

5. Here’s Her Take on Jackie and Shauna’s Relationship

On Yellowjackets, Purnell’s character and ’s character has an intense relationship, sharing secrets but hiding others, supportive while also undermining. "I think Jackie and Shauna are in deep-friend love…. Maybe some of the dynamics between them are a little more complicated because there’s a lot of jealousy and possession and codependence. And that comes up a lot in female friendships."

Samantha Hanratty, best known as teen Misty on the Showtime smash series Yellowjackets, is nearly unrecognizable in real life. Gone is the blond, curly wig and glasses, dorky clothes and the disease to please, embodied by her rather unstable character. Instead, she’s got straight hair, a confident gaze and a fit figure. It’s a testament to her performance, and the transformation is evident in her latest post, a swimsuit photo. “First beach day of the new year,” she captioned it. How does Hanratty, 26, stay so fit? Read on to see 5 ways Samantha Hanratty stays in shape and the photos that prove they work—and to get beach-ready yourself, don't miss these essential 30 Best-Ever Celebrity Bathing Suit Photos!

1. She’s a Vegan

Hanratty is a vegan in real life. “We would be on set, I would be eating the ‘meat’”—on the show, about a group of teenage plane crash survivors, the characters eat deer and…possibly one another—“and then would get back to my trailer and then there would be a Beyond Meat sandwich and that was like every day for five months,” she told Page Six. How can you keep vegan? “Vegan diets exclude meat, poultry, fish, eggs and dairy products — and foods that contain these products,” says the Mayo Clinic. “Choose a variety of healthy plant-based foods, such as whole fruits and vegetables, legumes and nuts, and whole grains. At the same time, cut back on less healthy choices, such as sugar-sweetened beverages, fruit juices and refined grains.”

2. She Says She Would Not Be Able to Survive Two Weeks in the Woods

Hanratty said she wouldn’t last long in the woods. “I’m vegan and allergic to everything, so I’m already at a major disadvantage,” she told Page Six. “If I had a foraging book I think I would be OK. I could live…I think I could survive two weeks, but I would not be happy. I would have lost my…marbles. I definitely would come back being not OK, not OK in the slightest.” She added: “I seriously feel like the luckiest girl in the world to be a part of this show and playing this amazing character,” Hanratty has said.

3. She Always Wanted the Spotlight

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“I just knew I wanted to entertain,” she told Christina Ricci, who plays the older Misty, in a conversation in Interview. “I’m the youngest of five girls and I probably wanted the spotlight, but I told my parents, ‘I want to be on TV like Shirley Temple,’ and my mom finally gave in when I turned six. I kept begging and then she finally sent my picture to an agency and they called the next week. I had an audition for a commercial and booked it, and it just was meant to be. My mom is still waiting for me to leave it behind. She supports me, but she also says, ‘Whenever you want to stop, go ahead and stop.’”

4. She Saw a Therapist While Shooting

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“I don’t think we’ve talked about this, but I was seeing a therapist while I was in Canada, and that was something that we discussed. I was definitely treated differently when I was in hair and makeup and wardrobe,” she told Ricci in Interview. “I got more self-conscious, and my walk even changed a bit. I just felt like a bigger target, you know, as a person.” If you’re considering therapy, ask yourself a few queations first. “Are you looking for individual, relationship or family therapy?” Dawn Potter, PsyD, says to the Cleveland Clinic. “You need to consider if you’re looking for treatment for a specific problem that requires a specialist,” she continues. “Maybe you’re just looking for general growth. That decision will also determine what kind of therapist and what qualifications you’re looking for.”

5. She Has Streamed Her Workouts

Hanratty has streamed herself on Twitch working out. In one video, she’s got a simple yoga mat and some free weights, and does exercises that work her core, back and upper body. (It was part of a fundraiser.) “You can do core-strength exercises on a carpeted floor or mat. Breathe freely and deeply during each core-strength exercise. Focus on tightening your transversus abdominis, the deepest abdominal muscle and the one you feel contracting when you cough, says the Mayo Clinic. Want to hear about how her teammates stay fit? Don’t miss the swimsuits and stories from fellow Yellowjackets stars Ella Purnell, Sophie Thatcher, Jasmin Savoy Brown and Sophie Nélisse.