The year 2024 has already been a big one for Storm Reid. In January, the actress won her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress In A Drama Series for The Last of Us. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet that I have the Emmy, but I’m just forever grateful for the recognition,” Reid tells Her Campus in an exclusive interview.
For Reid, starring in The Last Of Us has always been special. “I always say that I totally believe I would be a fan of the show even if I weren’t a part of it, and to be Riley is a blessing and an honor,” Reid says. “The supporters of The Last Of Us, I’m glad to be their Riley, and I’m glad that we were able to bring that episode of TV to life, and I’m glad that people enjoyed it.”
On top of her award-winning acting, Reid is a senior at the University of Southern California, where she’s preparing to enter her final semester this fall. Though she says it’s been a bit chaotic balancing her acting career with her studies, she wouldn’t change it for anything. “It’s been such a blessing to be able to not only further my education, but college teaches you so much about yourself, about other people — about how to interact with other people,” Reid says. “You are put in a point of transition where you have to become an adult, find your own routine, and create your young adult life. It’s been amazing, and I’ve been able to have so many experiences. I’ve met lifelong friends, so I’m grateful for college.”
Reid learned a lot over her four years at USC, so she has pointed advice for students just entering college. “Focus. Sometimes, priorities can get a little mixed up freshman year, but if you go into it knowing it’s going to be scary, you’re not going to have everything down pat,” Reid says. “It’s important for freshmen to prioritize school work freshman year rather than the second semester of freshman year or sophomore year. A lot of people think of freshman year as just like, ‘la di da di di’ but they will soon realize it is not the case.”
As she gears up for graduation, Reid is working on new projects in front of and behind the camera. She recently partnered with Coca-Cola to help launch their new drink, Coca-Cola Spiced. It’s the same Coke we all know and love, with the addition of spiced flavors and refreshing notes of raspberry. “Coke Spiced reminds me of a sunset, double dutch, and a beautiful spring day,” Reid says. “I think people who love Coke are really going to love this flavor.”
When it comes to life after college, Reid plans to continue acting, producing, and being part of meaningful projects. “As creatives, we have the opportunity to say something, and it doesn’t need to be in a preachy way. I like to be part of projects that have meaning, and are telling stories that haven’t been told before… or telling stories from a different, more truthful perspective,” Reid says. “I hope I can continue to be a part of projects like that.”