Katy O’Brian (@thekatyo ) models a new kind of Hollywood heartthrob. The actress, who appears in five films this year, is unapologetically strong at a time when women are still pressured into thinness — at her bodybuilding peak, she could deadlift almost 400 pounds — and unapologetically gay when queer media still gets hemmed in by straight tastes. In action flicks like ‘Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning,’ ‘Twisters,’ and ‘The Running Man,’ she kicks ass with the boys while giving sapphics a reason to pay attention. At the same time, she’s taking indie roles that expand mainstream perceptions of queer women. It was only last year, after a decade of professional acting, that she landed her first lead role as Jackie in the A24 neo-noir ‘Love Lies Bleeding.’ “I always feel if you’re not booking what you want, there’s something that you need to change,” she says.
At the link in bio, @catyzhang takes to the mat with O’Brian — literally — to discuss ‘Christy,’ the pressure put on female athletes, and being called the “sexiest sapphic alive.”
Photography by @rebekahcampbell
Styling by @emmaoleck
Photo assistants: @kircherabdul and @kierstenrcote
Styling assistant: @orexolu
Tailor: @lindz_tailor
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Makeup: @alexlevymakeup
The Cut, Editor-in-Chief: @lrpeoples
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In celebration of @loveliesbleedingmovie being available on demand, here are some pics of dir. Rose Glass & me trying to figure out a stage routine. The competition scene was one of my fave things to shoot for so many reasons. Enjoy.
Character dump! Coming up on 10 years in LA. Had no idea when I left home to pursue this career that it would be such a surreal journey, but I’m so glad I took the leap. My first acting coach in LA said to always be planting seeds—this is a job that doesn’t let you rest on your past work. Jobs fall through, residuals dry up fast, the business is always looking for the next “you”. I have a file of hundreds of auditions I’ve done over the past few years that I didn’t get—hundreds of opportunities to practice and get better so that when I land on set with the scene partners I’ve had the chance to work with, I can walk in the room with the confidence that I can do the thing. 10 years in: Still so grateful every time I get to be in a room. Still trying to appreciate every win and learn from each loss. Still always hustling for the next thing. Excited to see what the next decade brings.
Just a month delay on the post. Had a killer time at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Afterparty and got to catch up with some cool peeps at The Drama premier. Loving these back to back @sandroparis suits. @ejaf , #EJAFOscars, and @gettyentertainment
ASSSSCAT with Katy O’Brian! (The Mandalorian, Ant-Man: Quantumania, Mission Impossible 8)
Watch ASSSSCAT live every Saturday & Sunday at UCB Franklin! The best live comedy in LA: Every weekend! Tix in bio 🎟️
📍UCB Franklin, Los Angeles
Photos by @luke_wink_moran
#improv #ucbcomedy #livecomedy #thingstodoinla
4 years with my precious daughter. From the moment I watched her slide out of her mama to this morning when she diarrhea’d all over the neighborhood, I’ve loved her chaotic energy with all my heart. Happy birthday lil Hei Hei & all her siblings 🐶🥳💋
Fun time at The Actor’s Night thanks to @sagaftrafound . This is our second time attending, and it’s become one of my favorite events, celebrating and reuniting with friends old and new as well as meeting incredible people we adore on screen. Shoutout to @loft for such a cool fit so I could show up in style.
Introducing our digital cover star, Katy O’Brian (@thekatyo ).
“I don’t feel like a sexy person. I don’t want to emote sexiness. It doesn’t make me comfortable or happy in my skin.”
Katy O’Brian will be the first to admit she’s no anti-ingénue. With a pre-Hollywood past that includes police work and body building, she’s brought her unconventional femininity into her roles. That’s certainly had its benefits. Last year, she starred opposite Kristen Stewart in Love Lies Bleeding and played Lisa Holewyne in the 2025 boxing film, Christy. But her “queer physicality” hasn’t always been on her side. Often, directors don’t see O’Brian as a leading lady, or even a mother (despite she and her wife being on their way to starting a family). O’Brian does, however, have an ever-flourishing filmography, a strong community of queer co-stars and a vision to, literally, write her own story. If one thing is clear, it’s that Hollywood’s narrow vision is its own problem, not hers.
For the full story, head to the HUNGER website 🔗
Photographer and Creative Producer @sonaliohrie
Stylist @tabitharsanchez
Writer @laraiqbalgilling
Make-Up Artist Samuel Paul
Hair Stylist @tiffdoeshair
Director of Photography @robby_shaffer
Lighting Designer @msa_studios
Set Designer @oliviarutht
Production Assistant and BTS Photographer @flicksbygaia
Grips @inshanephotos , @jai.gil
Location Manager @johnathanpach with 9400 Readcrest Dr, Beverly Hills
