Netflix welcomes Tall Girl 2 to the world of streaming on February 11, and the sequel to the 2019 film is expanding its themes from body positivity to teen anxiety and insecurities in general. Viewers who may have not found height to be a particularly relatable plot point are more likely to find something to connect to as they witness heroine Jodi (Ava Michelle, Dance Moms) tackle stage fright in her first musical theater experience.
She's not the only teen going through the gauntlet this time around, though, as the film shines a spotlight on her classmates as well. Her best friend Fareeda (Anjelika Washington, Moxie) must face her parents' disappointment over her career aspirations while her ex-crush Stig (Luke Eisner, Timeline) tries to win back the friends he lost in his ill-fated bid for popularity. And, of course, she and her new boyfriend Dunk (Griffin Gluck, Locke & Key) go through the growing pains of a first serious relationship.
Michelle and Washington spoke to Screen Rant about the new obstacles each character faces, and how they handle new romances in the story.
Ava, it's so nice to see Jodi more confident and popular in this film. But at the same time, the little voice inside is also getting louder. Can you talk about how musical theater brings out the best in her and the worst in that little voice?
Ava Michelle: Yeah, you know, it's Jodi with anything. She now has this confidence to put herself out there, but I think in any aspect - whether it's theatre or something else - putting yourself out there is terrifying. And it comes with so many other things.
As they say, the ups come with the downs. I think see that she's in the best place of loving herself, but there's also so many more obstacles that she has to face because of her taking risks like that.
In the first film Fareeda pointed out that she wished her friends would ask about her problems sometimes, and thankfully we get to see some of those issues and follow her on that journey here. Can you talk about her future in fashion and any potential romance?
Anjelika Washington: I would love that for Fareeda. That sounds really fun; that sounds like a great time. But I was really excited to explore a little bit more of Fareeda, meet her family, and see where she's coming from.
I've always played Fareeda as this uber confident girl; that best friend who will pull you up and remind you who you are, and be like, "Girl, get it together. You are stunning. You are amazing. You're smart, you're whatever." And for the first time, we see Fareeda doubt herself a little bit, and I think that's just a very interesting moment.
It reminds me that sometimes - whether it's on social media or in real life - the people that you assume are the most confident people, that would never doubt themselves and are just very sure of themselves, also have that moment where they might be insecure. You just don't know that. I'm still trying to figure out if Beyonce has that. I don't know, but I am curious. And I'd love to ask her.
It's lovely to see Jodi and Dunk doing their thing at the start of the film, but the course of true love never did run smooth. What obstacles are in their path this time around?
Ava Michelle: It's obviously so exciting that their friendship has turned into a love and a relationship that's just so beautiful. But I think they're still teenagers, and this is still their first relationship. And I feel like there's so much that you're learning about yourself when you're growing, and you're trying to evolve with each other.
There's so many things to learn in this new dynamic that they have. And they both have things that they're going through that I don't know if they necessarily communicate with each other [about]. So, I think this is a big lesson of communication and truthfully knowing that you can lean on those who love you. Because I think that Jodi and Dunkleman kind of forget about that for a second.
Anjelika, shout out to Stargirl. I love Beth and, as my mind is on romance, is there any possibility that we can get Beth and Rick to ever do more than look at each other?
Anjelika Washington: You and me both, girl. I don't know. But we're married in the comics, so it's eventually gonna happen. I don't know when, or if it's in season 3... Maybe, maybe not.
Tall Girl 2 premieres February 11 on Netflix.