AnnaSophia Robb

Yes folks, this is a fluffy little piece about the adorable young actress that played the part of Opal in the movie 'Because Of Winn Dixie'. A quick little thumbnail sketch of an extremely talented young actress.

Now to begin with let me say that I'm generally not a star struck fan, I usually couldn't care less about celebrities. Not that I don't appriciate a good performance from a actor when I see one, it's just that I'm not one to follow tabloids, or fan magazines, or anything like that, I really don't care about the private lives of celebrities. Believe me I have enough to worry about in my own life. But there is one young movie actress that has caught my attention: her name is AnnaSophia Robb. I became aware of her talent when she portrayed the character of Leslie Burke in the movie 'Bridge To Terabithia.' I thought she did a wonderful job bringing one of my favorite literary characters to life, even though at first I hated the movie because it wasn't exactly like the book, which I love by the way. Well anyway, I gave the movie a second chance, and I watched it again. This time I tried to keep an open mind, and after I watched it that second time; I fell in love with it.

My admiration for this lovely young actress began after that second viewing of the movie 'Bridge to Terabithia.' I was so moved by the story and the movie that I was inspired to write a story of my own. I recently started writing a little piece of fiction that features AnnaSophia as herself in the story.To get a better insight to her personality I've done a little research on this wonderful young artist, and it has reinforced in my mind just how amazing AnnaSophia is. Imagine, at fourteen she has accomplished more then many of us accomplish in a life time. I mean, geesh, knowing what you want and going after it at such a young age, impressive.

AnnaSophia was born on December 8th, 1993, in Denver Colorado to her loving parents David and Janet Robb. She is an only child who knew even at a very young age that she was destined to become an actress. According to AnnaSophia she knew by the age of three that she wanted to act, and by the age of five She was already performing on stage at her church in front of hundreds of people. In addition to her acting, AnnaSophia, who is an active child, has also competed in gymnastics, and has taken dance lessons. Her acting career however, has taken precedence over these other activities, and now her focus is solely on her acting.

At AnnaSophia's insistance, or perhaps it was more like pestering, her parents sought out an agent for their young daughter.It was suggested that she take acting lessons, which she did, involving herself with acting workshops. Her mother quit her job as an interior decorator so she could look after AnnaSophia, and drive her around to her auditions.

Then at the age of eight, and after many auditions, she landed a part in a Macdonalds commercial. Soon after that her career really began to take off when she got the leading role in the made for TV movie .'Samantha: An American Girl Holiday.'Then without skipping a beat, her big break came when she landed the role of India Opal Buioni in the feature film 'Because Of Winn Dixie.' What a great heart warming story this is, and AnnaSopia is priceless as India Opal Buloni.

After completing the film 'Because of Winn Dixie' she won the part of Violet Beauregarde in Tim Burton's film 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,' opposite Johnny Depp. Of course she did a wonderful job as the gum chomping Violet. AnnaSophia says, "Yes I love gum, I kept gum and blueberries. They are very good together actually. I kept all the gum that I chewed on set."

From there she went on to play the role of the creepy little girl, Loren McConnell, in the horror film, 'The Reaping.' In an interview she revealed that she had a concern that the movie might be too scary for her to watch. According to AnnaSophia she asked her mother, before attending the premiere, if it would be too scary for her. AnnaSophia says, "I was like, Mom, am I going to be scared watching this? What's going to happen?" Then she added, " I don't usually watch scary supernatural thriller movies because I get freaked out. But I was all right in this movie."

There were two things that occurred during the filming of 'The Reaping.' First, it was on the set during a shoot that AnnaSophia learned that she had landed the part of Leslie Burke for the up coming film 'Bridge to Terabithia.' She says she was so excited to have won the role that she was dancing, and jumping happily around the set for the rest of the day. It was also during the filming of 'The Reaping' that AnnaSophia displayed her literary talents when She wrote and narrated a scary little story titled 'Backseat Swamp.'

AnnaSophia's next film was 'Bridge to Terabithia.' In my humble opinion, among one of the greatest movies ever made. 'Bridge to Terabithia' is a simple little film about friendship that delivers a powerful emotional kick in the gut. It is an eye opening, and life affirming experience that illustrates just how fragile life is, and how quickly it can change. AnnaSophia, in my mind, is Leslie Burke. Her portrayal of that character will be forever in my mind. A free spirit and lively soul, AnnaSophia's personality shines though Leslie Burke and touches the heart.

After 'Bridge to Terabithia' had gone into post production AnnaSophia was asked if she would sing a song for the film. She agreed to do the song even though she says that she is not a singer. The song 'Keep Your Mind Wide Open' also includes a video which AnnaSophia performs in.

After she completed the film 'Bridge to Terabithia' she was cast as Tara in the film 'Sleepwalking.' A dark disturbing film in which the character she plays is deeper and more intense then any other character she has portrayed before, including Loren McConnell in 'The Reaping.' Even though 'The Reaping' is a horror film AnnaSophia found that filming it was mostly a fun time of running around bare foot through the woods, and getting dirty. 'Sleepwalking' on the other hand has some tough, and challenging scenes for the young actress who was still only twelve years old when filming began, she turned thirteen during the shooting schedule. There was concern for Annasophia's well being during the filming, in one particularly intense scene AnnaSophia is to smoke a cigarette, and Charlize Theron, who played Tara's mother Joleen, and also produced the movie discused the issues of this scene, as well as others with AnnaSophia and her parents.

Her parents stand solidly behind her, supporting her career. Their love, and guidence keep her well grounded. Treating her as a regular kid, she has her school work, and her chores to do when she's at home. As AnnaSophia says she is very close to her parents, sometimes to close she jokes. Her parents, she says keep her from getting too cocky. She continues to live in Denver Colorado with her parents, where she attends school, and keeps up with her friends. All in all she is a normal kid that just happens to have a job acting in movies.

AnnaSophia plans to continue working in the film industry with the hopes of someday directing and producing. Her plans also include college and someday, she says, when she is about thirty four she plans to quit work and raise a family, because, she says, she want to be there for her children.

My hopes for AnnaSophia is that she remains solidly grounded and avoids the pitfalls that have affected so many other child actors. she is a tremendously talented young actress. A beautiful girl whose beauty, and talent extend deep down to her soul.