In Her Campus’ series Next Question, we rapid-fire interview emerging Gen Z talent about what it’s like to rule over the internet. This month, actress Orli Gottesman is in the hot seat to answer our burning questions.
Though she’s only 16, Orli Gottesman has already made a name for herself. Having debuted as Halie on Paramount+’s Yellowstone in the Season 5 premiere on Nov. 13, she tells Her Campus, “I’m just really grateful and super excited to be playing Halie in the first place. I just feel super honored that I was chosen to do this.”
Halie is the new love interest of Carter, played by Finn Little. “I think she’ll be beneficial to the story with Carter and the family dynamic,” Gottesman shares. “She’s really sweet, she’s super outgoing.”
Gottesman exudes those same qualities as Halie, gushing about being on set with castmates like Kevin Costner and Piper Perabo. Though she admits there’s “more pressure to it” when working with such established names in the industry, she also has confidence in herself: “As long as I make a good first impression, I can hold a conversation. I’m just trying to contain my excitement and not fangirl over everything,” she laughs.
Prior to Yellowstone, Gottesman starred in dramedy-thriller 1-800-Hot-Nite, which is currently on the festival circuit. “I’ve worked on a feature film with people who were all my age,” Gottesman said of making the film, in which her co-stars were other Gen Z actors like Cobra Kai’s Dallas Dupree Young. “So I had a different kind of relationship [with them] than I do with the more experienced actors [on Yellowstone].”
It’s clear performing is a major passion for Gottesman — not only does her Instagram bio read that she’s “happy on camera,” but when she isn’t in LA pursuing acting opportunities, she’s doing things like gearing up for vocal showcases at the arts high school she attends back home in Florida, or preparing to audition for musicals. “I’m always working on my craft,” she says. She wants to bridge her love for singing, theater, and TV acting as well: “I’ve been singing in the shower and in the car forever, but I’ve been taking lessons and I practice it every day. So I think it’d be really cool if I were to be on some kind of set where that was one of the main aspects [of] my character.”
Outside of her aspirations in the entertainment industry, however, Gottesman finds time for snowboarding, tennis with her family and her school team, and spending time with her friends. “I’m living my dream right now,” she says.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your go-to coffee order?
Iced chai with three pumps of peppermint.
What song is on repeat for you right now?
When I first get in the car to start driving to school, I’ll probably put on some Pitbull. Any Pitbull song just to wake me up in the morning.
What are your sun, moon, and rising signs?
Sag sun, Capricorn moon and Aquarius rising.
What are you manifesting for 2023?
I’d love for my bangs to grow out in a way that it doesn’t look like they’re at that awkward phase. I’d like to get really, really, really good at snowboarding going into 2023. This is my last year of being a minor, so let’s not take that for granted. And then I’m gonna manifest some clear skin, amazing opportunities for acting and singing, and some family luck.
What is the one word you’d use to describe Gen Z?
I’m gonna say bonkers just because we’re kind of all over the place. Every person you meet will be different.