About Iris | Origin Story
Iris began acting at age seven—on the unsolicited advice of her pediatrician. From the time she could talk, Iris treated life like a stage, turning everyday moments into full-blown performances. During her annual check-up, after enduring a barrage of monologues and impromptu skits, her doctor—visibly drained and not exactly amused—muttered, “Perhaps acting would be a good outlet for that.” Iris took the suggestion to heart. And from that moment on, she never looked back
May 2017: Iris with Grace Merchant-Brands and Landon Brands (cinematographer & Grace's husband) at the Minnesota Chapter of NAWBO where She Her Differently was presented to Board Members.
Within a year of that "advice," Iris landed her first film role—thanks to Grace Merchant-Brands, who was directing a heartfelt short titled See Her Differently for the Minnesota Chapter of NAWBO, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting women business owners. The project was not only for a meaningful cause but also marked several exciting firsts for Iris: her first headshots, her first audition, her first time being cast, her first experience on set, and the unforgettable moment of seeing herself on screen.
See Her Differently, staring Kendra Alaura and co-staring Iris Seifert and Siya Singh
Things began to move at lightning speed after See Her Differently. By age 9, Iris quickly secured local representation with Moore Creative Talent and the Wehmann Agency, opening the door to a wave of new opportunities. She began booking local commercials and steadily building her confidence and skill on set with each project.
In just six months, Iris’s momentum was undeniable—she landed roles in a short film (Relativity) and three feature films (Edge of Insanity, Max Bishop, and Under the Stadium Lights), while also earning her very first acting awards. What started as a single opportunity had quickly evolved into something much bigger, setting the stage for what would come next.
Iris accepting her Best Youth Actress Award at the 2018 Z Fest Film Festival for her role in Relativity, directed by Josh Mruz
Iris BTS with Scout Taylor-Compton on the set of Edge of Insanity
During this time, Iris also had the opportunity to work alongside established actors, including Scout Taylor-Compton (Edge of Insanity), Milo Gibson, Abigail Hawk, and Laurence Fishburne (Under the Stadium Lights). Collaborating with such seasoned professionals not only deepened her understanding of the craft, but also helped refine her on-set presence and strengthen her acting abilities.