EXCLUSIVE: The Tender Bar’s Briana Middleton Talks New Film & Working with George Clooney

Starring in her first feature role, Briana Middleton brings to life Jr’s young love, Sidney in George Clooney’s new film, The Tender Bar. We got the chance to hear from Middleton regarding her role in the film, working with Clooney, her complex character, and so much more. See what she had to say below.

This is your first feature film. What was the most exciting aspect of working on this project?

“I mean, everything was exciting. I loved the script, and after getting the part I loved the book. And I didn’t work with most of the people here, I mainly worked with Tye [Sheridan], but getting to be a part of a cast like this was really exciting and getting to bring this particular character to life in the body that I’m in, as a Black woman, I think was really exciting.”

What did George Clooney teach you that you might bring to future projects?

“I think the most important thing that George taught me, that I’ve taken on other projects already, was just that I can trust myself. Lily [Rabe] was saying that he’s such a kind, generous, person, and that comes out in the way that he directs his actors. I felt, especially being very new, I felt very trusted and thought, ‘Okay, if he’s not worrying about me, then I don’t need to worry about myself.'”

Sidney is a very complex character, in that it’s very tough to side with or against her, depending on the situation. Is this something that you felt while playing her?

“Yes and no. I mean I hope people feel conflicted on how to feel about her throughout the film. I, as the person playing her, was just an advocate for her and totally on her side. I’m glad that we get to see her family. There’s a scene with her family and we get to see the world that she comes from. And I hope that adds an element to her other than being the crazy girlfriend that breaks this guy’s heart. She’s very complex. I think she’s someone who knows what her trajectory is, but is maybe conflicted about what that is and is still a young person, but understands the world that she’s in and where she comes from and the expectations that she has. I think we’re just seeing her figure that out too. And he just happens to get caught in the wake of it.”

The Tender Bar will be released to Prime Video on January 7!

*This interview has been edited for length and clarity