From Melbourne to the final frontier, Zoë Steiner is having a big moment. To enter the next chapter of Star Trek the universe as a part Star Trek: Starfleet Academywhich premiered in January on Paramount+, the rising star has already signed on for Season 2—and it’s not over.
Playing one of the franchise’s newest cadets alongside Paul Giamatti and Holly Hunter, Steiner brings new energy to the picture series, which has been boosted by a Comic Con-premiered trailer that has racked up more than 7.8 million views in just a few weeks. He recently sat down with us during a break from filming in Toronto to talk about his on-and-off habits—and how it feels to take on the “Trekkie job.”
How are you feeling now that the show is finally coming out after months of hype?
“It feels really good! We’ve all been working really hard. We wrapped Season 1 a full year ago, and it’s finally out. It’s really nice to have our work out in the world and to get great feedback from the original. A journey fans, and other new viewers.”
Were you a Trekkie before? How did you get your speed around the world?
“A lot, I wasn’t a big person Star Trek someone before. For whatever reason, I never watched it before. I think that for many of us, Holly embodies—and many fans—seem to have been introduced to it as children. And, more often than not, the story came from the father. That was not the case with me. Of course I was familiar with each other Star Trek itself. I had a picture in my mind of Leonard Nimoy as Spock and the Vulcan salute. But, to be honest, not much more than that. Obviously, when I was thrown down, I felt really obligated to go into it.
For me, in particular, I was interested in seeing the next version and seeing Deanna Troi, another Betazoid. Anyway, Tarima is a different type of Betazoid. I really wanted to go back and watch it, but it didn’t inform my choice of acting or anything really.”
While filming, what helped you get into character? How did you get into it?
“That’s a good question. To be honest, the inspiration helped me a lot. I remember the first time I fitted the red dress that Tarima wore at the Betazoid cocktail party. That helped me a lot. It made me relate to her status as the president’s daughter.
As an actor, I always find it difficult to answer this question. There are different rituals that I do—even journaling helped me get into it. It’s going to sound funny, but playing a telepathic and empathetic character, that was really important to me. It was important for me to do things in my daily life that kept me grounded, so that I could be seen and be in my body and not be too high in the clouds.”
Since we’re a beauty magazine, I have to ask, are there any products you’re really loving right now, or any Australian sunscreens you’d recommend?
“One second. Let me go to my bathroom! For makeup, since I was a teenager, I’ve always loved Lancôme Hypnose mascara. It’s my favorite mascara. When I was in New York for the preview, my makeup artist used this Stila Heaven’s Hue highlighter in Opulence. I love cool tones. Whatever works best for me.
I have my Sun Bum mineral sunscreen, and I finally started using retinol! The one I use has medical, dermatological vibes going on here. It helped me a lot. I have very sensitive skin, and it was able to be seamlessly integrated into the routine. It didn’t offend anything.”
That’s the key. Word on the street is that you’re already filming Season 2. How’s that going?
“Well, I’m here in Toronto, and we’re less than a month away. We’re home. That’s what’s right in front of me—wrapping up Season 2. We’re about to start filming episode 10. So, I’m not so sure. I have a lot of open plans. When I left filming this season — when I left my place in Melbourne for Rent
