Ava Caryofyllis is a brilliant young actor. She’s been swimming in the shark infested waters of the entertainment industry since the age of five. Now at 14, she has shared the screen with Hollywood stars such as Mark Wahlberg, Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Woody Harrelson. Ava indeed has the most impressive resume, but she’s quick to downplay it. When filming wraps, she goes back to the classroom, maintaining her disguise as “just Ava.”
The glow of Ava’s rising star in the acting universe is multiplied by the pride of her sibling counterpart, Imi Mbedla. He’s not only an actor, he’s a world-class hip-hop dancer! Now 18, Imi juggles his creative interests with coursework in counseling. The now adult siblings have forged an incredible relationship through working together the past two seasons on their new explorative series, “Bay of Fires.” Themselves filled with wonder and energy, their stories convey the joy of being a child and the complexities of maturing in a space that is predominately adult-focused.
Life on Set and Education
Ava enjoys a special personal arrangement that allows her to explore her acting possibilities. Even on non-shooting days, a tutor is made available to her on set and backstage so she can maintain pace with schoolwork. This unique duality has opened the door for her to participate in the behind-the-scenes magic of filmmaking, all while balancing her life as an Academic Dean.
“Most of the time, the experience on set is way cooler … like, I’d rather go to Thailand than a school zoo camp,” – Ava Caryofyllis
There are the pressures of being an actress who has to perform, yet be a normal teenage girl, more or less. When filming is done, she gets to go back to her real-life school setting, where she is just free to be herself. Ava loves these moments, enjoying her childhood behind the scenes.
As an artist himself, Imi not only encourages his sister’s efforts but appreciates the difficulties that anyone pursuing creative careers faces. He gives a lot of the credit to series star and creator Marta Dusseldorp for being that mother figure to him on their production. Both of these experiences on set offered immeasurable life lessons for Imi, perhaps most importantly, the lesson of simply showing up for someone.
“Playing ‘Otis’ on Bay of Fires taught me the importance of being there for someone,” – Imi Mbedla
Balancing Fame and Family
Ava loves performing, but she has to turn to her parents for support. From banking to content creation, they help her lead a vibrant and adventurous life. This pillar of support allows her to focus on her art. It enables her to make smart financial choices today, setting her on the path toward a stable, independent future.
“My parents put [my money] straight into the bank account so I haven’t really been told what I’ve been earning,” – Ava Caryofyllis
Ava admits that her acting income is more chore money than a new primary source of wealth. She knows that even when she earns money, she’ll need to use it intelligently and she hopes to buy her own home someday.
“When I’m older, I’ll get that money so I can buy a house hopefully one day … but right now it’s just chore money that I have to deal with,” – Ava Caryofyllis
Ava works hard and does the right thing, so on occasion she deserves unique rewards. Sometimes she indulges in luxuries, such as a gaming console, which she enjoys playing with Imi. Communal interests and collective experience constantly bridge their distinct purposes as siblings in this evolving field.
Inspiration from Role Models
Both Ava and Imi take muse from successful culture-makers of Imi’s ilk. Ava has a special appreciation for when Australian or English actors have found international success. She aspirationally admires talents such as Margot Robbie and Millie Bobby Brown. As she carves out her own journey, their journeys inspire her.
“They’re Australian and English actors that have gone and done stuff in the States and all over the world,” – Ava Caryofyllis
Imi expresses equal eloquence about his goals and self-discovery. In his professional practice, he places great emphasis on introspection. This practice is a huge part of his continued evolution as both an actor and dancer.
“Whenever I’m watching something, whether it be an old acting video or an old dancing video of myself, I really break it down and I do see a lot of growth,” – Imi Mbedla
Far from seeking celebrity status, Imi’s overarching ambition is actually very personal — to feel a greater sense of fulfillment in his work. More than anything, he wants to die happy with no regrets—just the knowledge that he left it all out on the field in pursuit of his dreams.
“My biggest goal and ambition is to be happy with what I’m doing and give it my all. That way I know if it doesn’t work out … I wasn’t holding back anything,” – Imi Mbedla
Both siblings showcase the way young creatives can flourish in the entertainment industry, walking the line between discovering their artistry and supporting their family.
