Sadie Sink Found Her Voice Thanks to ‘Stranger Things’ and Taylor Swift — Now She’s Ready to Conquer Her Greatest Fear

As I delve deeper into this captivating narrative of Sadie Sink, I can’t help but be awestruck by her resilience and versatility. From the heart-wrenching intensity of Max in Stranger Things to the daunting challenge of singing professionally for the first time in years, she’s navigated the Hollywood machine with a grace that belies her youth.


At the age of 11, I (Sadie Sink) began experiencing panic attacks. After dedicating myself to professional acting for three years, I found myself in a Broadway revival of “Annie,” a role I truly cherished. However, something unexpected happened – the act of singing turned into my greatest fear. I was paralyzed by it.

It became apparent that the relentless demands of a Broadway production left Sink believing that even a slight mistake, such as an off-key note or missed line, would irreparably ruin the entire performance. In his distress, he expressed a desire never to sing again.

So she gave it up.  

Two years had passed, and Sink found herself back on Broadway, starring in Peter Morgan’s drama “The Audience” as a youthful Queen Elizabeth II, alongside Helen Mirren. There was no singing required for this role, but on the opening night of rehearsals, Sink felt an old fear resurfacing within her. She hesitated to step onto the stage.

Then I thought, ‘Sadie, if I don’t try this, what’s left for me?’ Anxiety had already stolen my voice in singing. If acting is also lost, then there’s nothing left at all.

That night was the first time she pushed through the panic.  

At 22 years old, Sink has consistently portrayed characters who face their fears head-on, as seen in Max from “Stranger Things,” Ellie in “The Whale,” and Taylor Swift‘s young heroine in “All Too Well: The Short Film.” Her knack for depicting the complex, darker emotions of adolescence feels almost supernatural.

In my perspective, Sadie possesses an exceptional ability to portray her vulnerabilities in a raw and authentic manner, setting her apart from many other actors. While some performers excel at delivering specific emotional beats, they often stick to these particular notes only. However, Sadie demonstrates a remarkable talent for striking subtle, nuanced tones – a trait that is quite uncommon.

In Season 2, Max, who was 14 at the time, entered “Stranger Things”. However, her character gained significant attention in Season 4 when the main antagonist marked her for a chilling death attempt. The rest of the cast spent the entire season trying to thwart this, ultimately succeeding but with a close call: Max ended up blind and in a coma. This emotional, tear-jerking character development resonated strongly with global audiences, causing Kate Bush’s ’80s song “Running Up That Hill” to become the anthem of summer 2022.

Sadie Sink Found Her Voice Thanks to ‘Stranger Things’ and Taylor Swift — Now She’s Ready to Conquer Her Greatest Fear

In a sun-kissed café close to her Atlanta residence, where she’s wrapping up the last season of “Stranger Things”, Sink expresses surprise over the intense affection for Max, admitting she hadn’t anticipated such interest in her character’s journey. ” frankly, I didn’t think people would be so invested in her story,” she casually admits with a shrug. Without social media on her phone, it was one of her brothers who had to demonstrate the popularity of Max on his TikTok, persuading her that indeed, viewers did care. “Well, that’s neat,” she says humbly.

As a seasoned observer of people and their emotions, I can attest that Sink’s performance as an actress is a testament to her remarkable talent and resilience. Her ability to portray tempestuous roles with conviction while maintaining a tranquil demeanor in real life speaks volumes about her versatility as an artist.

In her childhood as an actor, she was often treated like a marionette, with adults dictating even the smallest movements of her face and body. However, as an adult, she explains, it’s more about having conversations rather than being told what to do.

For me, as a movie enthusiast, I found myself embarking on an exciting journey when I became part of the cast for “The Whale,” the 2022 independent film that earned Brendan Fraser an Oscar for his powerful portrayal of a 600-pound gay man yearning to reconnect with his estranged daughter. At 18, I was captivated by the complex emotions my character harbored towards her father, and the challenge of expressing vindictive anger while retaining some empathy. Initially, though, I found myself slipping back into the habit of pleasing people, worried that I wasn’t meeting Director Darren Aronofsky’s expectations.

Rather than attempting to impress him, Aronofsky treated Sink as a peer, inspiring her to consider what unique aspects she could offer to the character. “I could immediately see that she was an artist, dedicated to her work,” Aronofsky remarks. “I’d like to give credit to Sadie for much of it. I don’t recall needing to explain it extensively to her. I believe she grasped it from the script herself.”

The process of creating “The Whale” has profoundly altered Sink’s life, though she is only recently understanding the specific ways this transformation is unfolding. When asked about the source of the intense anger that defines many of her characters, she seems to be grappling with the answer in the moment, her gaze darting as if seeking clarity.

She shares, playing with her braids, “I used to keep a barrier up, you know. In my usual life, I tend to hide my emotions. But when I’m performing, unexpectedly, it’s as if all my hidden anger and sadness bursts forth. That’s its time to be expressed.”

Following my work on “The Whale,” I seized an opportunity to explore my freshly discovered creative freedom, as Taylor Swift tapped me to play her 20-year-old self during her relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal in the short film, “All Too Well.”

“At that moment, I had no prior experience with love,” Sink admits. “I’d never endured a breakup as profound. Everything felt unfamiliar to me. All I could fall back on was my extensive study as a Swiftie.”

In much the same way as many Swift admirers, Sink found herself deeply resonating with the lyrics. The scene, mirroring the poignant line from one of Swift’s most recognized songs — ”And you call me up again just to break me like a promise” — shows Sink sprawled on her bed in tears as her phone flickers nearby.

Sadie Sink Found Her Voice Thanks to ‘Stranger Things’ and Taylor Swift — Now She’s Ready to Conquer Her Greatest Fear

In her acting role, she often concentrated on the situation of her character instead of drawing from her own experiences to evoke emotions in a scene. However, as she delved deeper, elements from her personal life unexpectedly surfaced, intensifying her performance even further. This realization then led her to consider exploring these aspects for her character named Sadie.

She doesn’t provide further details beyond stating that she no longer listens to “All Too Well” during her relaxation playlist while working on “Stranger Things”. She explains that this song now evokes an extremely nostalgic sensation for her, one that she can actually feel in her body. She finds it too emotionally intense.

The filming of Season 5 for “Stranger Things” has been a unique trip down memory lane. The cast members have been residing in the same Atlanta neighborhood, allowing them to spend more leisure time together and cherish their last few months before parting ways. The activities of Maya Hawke’s character, Robin (or Sink), during this period have sparked curiosity among the show’s audience. When questioned about whether her continued shooting suggests that Max will recover from her coma, Hawke provides a subtle hint: “They enjoy having me run.” Whether this refers to real-life situations, alternate dimensions like the Upside Down, or unknown voids remains undecided for now, leaving fans to speculate and imagine. “That’s all I can say,” she adds mysteriously.

When asked directly about Sink’s involvement in Season 5, the Duffer Brothers remain tight-lipped. Matt Duffer simply comments, “She will have a role in the upcoming season.”

“But we don’t want to reveal how that’s possible,” Ross Duffer adds.

Matt comments, “Indeed, it’s due to her being in a coma,” but he also shares his admiration for Sink’s acting abilities, hinting at future events. He praises her growth as an actor, stating, “I believe she’s become more self-assured and decisive.” Recently, they filmed a scene with her that was incredibly moving. Matt expresses his amazement, saying, “I can’t fathom how she manages to deliver such poignant performances.”

Working on “Stranger Things” feels like having the finest preparation for growing up, Millie Bobby Brown says, yet she playfully refers to the series as a “complex mechanism.” The intricate setup and vast ensemble cast result in extended breaks followed by moments that can be surprisingly demanding. “I’ve been working non-stop the past week, and I realized, ‘Wow, I forgot how tough this show can be!'” she chuckles. “Here, you’re part of a team. It’s not about individual glory; it’s about what’s best for the show.”

Although playing the character Max has been incredibly rewarding for Sink, she recognizes enough about herself to realize she’s not eager to be a part of another Hollywood production anytime soon. She shares that she doesn’t want to portray a superhero or a princess in her future roles. Instead, she aims to ensure that every project she undertakes is distinct from the last. At this stage in her life and career, she’s still growing and learning.

Despite her deep-rooted anxiety about singing in public, especially outside her immediate circle of friends and relatives, she courageously took on the challenge. In early 2023, she decided to step into the limelight as the main character in Searchlight’s 2025 indie film, “O’Dessa,” directed by Geremy Jasper, known for his work on “Patti Cake$.” Notably, this is an ambitious rock opera. This role required her to sing professionally almost daily, a feat she hasn’t attempted since she was 11 years old.

She exclaimed, “Wow, I never thought I would agree to this! Goodness gracious! What on earth have I gotten myself into?!” Her eyes widened noticeably, indicating her continued surprise at her decision.

Initially, performing songs for strangers was still a nerve-wracking experience for her. “I’d sing a tune, but on the inside, I was panicking, thinking ‘That’s not my voice. That’s not how I usually sing this song,'” she admits.

However, over time, that inner dialogue gradually diminished. “Not entirely,” Sink clarifies, “There were instances when it was more challenging than others. Yet, there were moments when it felt as if, ‘I’m filled with courage at this very instant, performing in front of a large audience!'”

She claims that when playing her character, she was singing, but it wasn’t herself doing so. As far as acting was concerned, she didn’t require perfection. However, she feels at ease with this role, but don’t expect Sadie to start singing any time soon.

Styling by Alex Badia; Sr. Market Editor, Mens: Luis Campuzano; Senior Market Editor, Accessories: Thomas Waller; Fashion Market Editor: Emily Mercer; Fashion Assistants: Ari Stark and Kimberly Infante; Set Design: Viki Rutsch/Exposure NY; Makeup: Mary Wiles/Walter Schupfer; Hair: Tommy Buckett/Tracey Mattingly

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2024-08-08 18:18