Star Apps: Wyatt Nash
Lifetime struck ratings gold in January with its adaptation of V.C. Andrews' bestselling YA novel "Flowers in the Attic." On May 26, the channel will premiere the sequel, "Petals on the Wind," starring Heather Graham, Ellen Burstyn, and Wyatt Nash. The film follows the lives of incestuous siblings Christopher and Catherine Dollanganger, a decade after their escape from captivity. Nash, a Nashville-born model-turned-actor, is known for his roles on shows like "Hollywood Heights," "1600 Penn," and "Pretty Little Liars." He chatted about taking on the controversial character, working with Graham and Burstyn, the most challenging moments on set, and his favorite apps.
Wyatt Nash plays Christopher in the Lifetime adaptation of Petals on the Wind.
(Credit: Christian Florin)
Growing up, did you read V.C. Andrews' Dollanganger series?
No, I did not. I wasn't aware of these books until I started auditioning for "Petals on the Wind."
What appealed to you about this story?
Really, I think it's a story about how people cope with emotional trauma and darkness in their lives. It's really a story about trying to overcome a larger event in their lives of emotional and physical abuse. Just trying to see how it affects them, and I think it's interesting how each of them carries that event in a totally different way and tries to move on from it while carrying that weight on them the entire time.
What was it like working with Heather Graham and Ellen Burstyn?
It was kind of surreal. The very first scene I shot on the entire movie was with them, and I walked into the room and was telling myself "OK, this is it. I'm now working with Heather and Ellen, and this is incredible." So I tried to learn whatever I could from them. Onscreen they're scary, but offscreen they were great to be around.
Had you seen any of their iconic movies beforehand?
I was aware of who Ellen was beforehand, but I can't recall a movie I've seen with her. I've seen Heather in several movies, though.
Did you see "Boogie Nights"?
Yeah.
Was there a scene that felt particularly challenging?
Yeah, this movie definitely pushed me. It's definitely my hardest role to date. I was very challenged to go that far, because the level of love that Christopher and Cathy have for each other is very profound. It's a much deeper love than most of us feel, based on what they went through and survived. And to connect with [actress] Rose McIver in that way, where it was authentic on camera -- that pushed me to a whole 'nother level in my acting.
Before you appeared on TV shows, you appeared in country music videos in Nashville.
Yeah, I did that to help pay rent in college. I was in the Band Perry video "You Lie," a Lady Antebellum video, a Blake Shelton/Trace Adkins video. I started out doing those, and I was on the path to medical school but decided that wasn't the path I wanted to take. So I figured that trying acting now was the best time, and if I wanted to go back to school, I always could. So I moved out to LA, started making contacts out here, and started acting.
See if you can spot Wyatt Nash in his earliest role:
What's been the best part of moving to LA, and what's the worst thing?
The best thing is that it's a challenge for me in that it's gotten me out of my comfort zone. I've been in Nashville most of my life, so it opened my horizon to new people and new ways of life. It's changed me for the better. The worst part is I have a little nephew, and I miss him like crazy, along with the rest of my family and close friends.
What do you do outside of work?
I love hiking and camping.
Outside of work, Nash enjoys the great outdoors.
(Credit: Christian Florin)
What are your top five mobile apps?
1. I really love the GoPro app, because it's so versatile and easy, and you can see what you're actually shooting. I love shooting anything outdoors, while out camping or hiking or by the ocean.
2. Afterlight -- it's a photo-editing app, and I really enjoy photography. It's nice to go back in and retouch it the way you want it to look.
3. I really like the Southwest Airlines app, because I love to travel and always try to be on the go. It's really convenient because I can change my flight, book my flight, anything from the palm of my hand.
4. The Week Magazine -- a news-type app that tells you the top 10 things you need to know going on around the globe, in politics and international news.
5. I love Tuner Master -- it's a tuning app for all string instruments. I have a few different instruments, and it helps me tune all of them. So I enjoy that one a lot.
