26:NEXT! SYFY'S CHUCKY STAR BJÖRGVIN ARNARSON TALKS FROG ARMIES, FEATHERED FRIENDS + FANCY ESCARGOT!

BY: COREY GUEVARRA, EDITOR IN CHIEF

FASHION STYLIST & CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MICKEY FREEMAN AT THE ONLY AGENCY

PHOTOGRAPHY: MICHAEL CREAGH

GROOMING: ANDREA FAIRWEATHER

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT: FELICIA ABBA

Picture it- Sicily 192- oh wait wrong reference. Ahem. Ok here we go, picture it; you’re a free spirited military kid who’s seen more of the world before becoming a teenager, than most people do in a lifetime. You’re a twin who catches the acting bug and in what seems like moments you’ve booked your first large gig on a long running family sitcom. Subsequently you continue, adding credits from both Netflix and Hulu to your growing resume. Now fast forward a couple of sleeps and you skillfully audition your way into a legacy franchise show! You’re now 16 years old and witnessing all of your dreams unfold into near perfect precision. So goes the story of our 26:NEXT Autumn 2022 cover star Björgvin (B-yourg-vin) Arnarson! While the moniker ‘boy wonder’ already trails him, he insists he’s just being himself and enjoying the ride. From Icelandic-Floridian roots to frogs and feathered friends, we truly couldn’t wait to meet this ascending actor!

FULL LOOK: MELKE + SNEAKERS: GOLDEN GOOSE

Portraying Devon Evans on the SYFY hit television adaptation of everyone’s favorite diabolical doll ‘Chucky’, Björgvin has instantly become a fan favorite! When I inquired about how it feels to be apart of a “cult-fave-cast” & what inspired him to audition, he offered an enthusiastic “I love acting! -Auditioning as well, so its rare that I pass on any audition. You have to seize every opportunity you know, and I’m glad it worked out that I landed the role of Devon. For my first big part to be in such a beloved franchise like Chucky it’s both exciting and nerve-racking. Don Mancini and the rest of the cast are just so amazing and we have a lot of fun on and off set. I’m just really happy to be part of this crazy journey.” A crazy journey indeed, one that catapulted Björgvin to 6-figure social media followings and unreal new notoriety. At just 16, I had to ask what his sudden fame felt like at his growing age. He calmly offered “it’s cool :) -It’s nice to be able to interact with such an awesome fanbase. The fan art is really thoughtful and it’s amazing to see what people create”.

"MY [TWIN] BROTHER AND I STARTED TWO BUSINESSES, “SUPERMUSCLEROBOTSNAKE” AND “KILSIBUCO” WHEN WE WERE ABOUT 11"

Speaking of creativity, rumor has it that off set, the young actor is already a booming businessman/entrepreneur and filmmaker. Upon inquiry he excitedly answered, “Yes! I have a small business! It’s called “Loserclub” I make and sell original art t-shirts and stickers. In fact, my brother and I started two businesses, “SuperMuscleRobotSnake” and “Kilsibuco” when we were about 11. We used to import and export goods from a crafter in East Africa and sell them in the US market. That was a lot of fun. Along with acting, filmmaking is one of my passions. My brother and I first started making stop motion films with our parents’ old camcorder when we were in kindergarten. Ever since then, I’ve been really into drawing and filmmaking. In between being on set, I work on a few short films here and there so I can stay active in the local film scene”.

LEATHER JACKET + SHIRT: GOLDEN GOOSE

At times it’s almost hard to believe that I’m conversing with a 16 year old, because I’m sorry what? You were import/exporting at age 11? I couldn’t help but wonder what phenom I was in the interviewing presence of. This of course peaked my interest into his background, from his unique name on, I needed a full history of the life that afforded and nurtured creativity in such an incredible way. “Yeah, the name is hard to say, and definitely unique but I love it. I was born in the US but I’m kind of from all over. I spent most of my life overseas in Japan. I’m half Icelandic so that is where my name comes from. Bjorg, from the old Norse, means to save or help and Vinur is the Icelandic for friend. When you put those two together, it loosely translates to savior or trusted friend, something like that. It’s [pretty] cool.

When asked more about his life and times in Japan and elsewhere abroad, he offered that “It was a great experience living in Japan”. “I went to an awesome Japanese kindergarten and international school. I’ve gotten to experience Tokyo (and enjoy Tokyo Disney). I’ve had the hands down best sushi in Yokohama and I’ve seen Mount Fuji close up. I’ve visited a lot of places in South East Asia, Europe and South America. I’m very grateful I’ve had the opportunity to be an avid world traveler at such a young age. Living all over the world has given me such insight and made me the person I am today. I love art, culture, exploring, getting to know people from all backgrounds and all walks of life! -And Björgvin’s favorite place so far? “Probably Singapore”! He replies. “We took a night train from Kuala Lumpur and it was so bumpy, we almost fell out of our racks. Then in Singapore, I went to the Night Zoo which is pretty amazing. Some of the tamer animals roam around the park and at one point we got so close to a hyena, I thought it was gonna eat me!! -Awesome times indeed"

"DUCKS AND FROGS ARE INCREDIBLY CUTE. INCREDIBLY. [I MEAN] HAVE YOU SEEN A DUCK LATELY?"

"OH AND ESCARGOT. -LOTS OF ESCARGOT"

Speaking of roaming animals, all of Björgvin’s social bios read “duck & frog enthusiast”. Naturally I needed the skinny & hopeful elaboration on this. “Ducks and frogs are incredibly cute” he explained, “Incredibly. Have you seen a duck lately? Just the way they waddle. The [absolute] cutest”. At this point in our interview, this is the type of refreshing candor I’m learning to anticipate from the young star. He seems to have a light on somewhere that most people dim or never truly find and it’s kind of incredible. Pondering on his dream role or ideal character, he offered “pretty much any role in a Wes Anderson movie. I’ve also always wanted to play an evil villain or all around bad person. -OR a role opposite Wilhelm Dafoe -that’s my mom’s dream! Continuing into glimpses of his future, we chatted where he might see himself by age 26 (of course :) “At age 26, I’ll be finished with college, have a successful clothing line, own a duck farm, have a frog army, been in two Wes Anderson films and still attached to Chucky somehow (fingers crossed)”.

We whittled down up our chat with talks of what to expect from him for the rest of Chucky season 2 & a clear Q&A on his definition of luxury [an answer I couldn’t wait to hear via his previously insightful replies]. “In season 2, fans can expect a lot of crazy shenanigans. The new setting of the catholic school really challenges Devon and Jake’s relationship and the idea of a ‘good’ Chucky running around is a truly wild concept!” -“And my definition of luxury? Hmmm… I’d say chillin on a comfy couch surrounded by dapper ducks and fancy frogs with top hats behaving like little gentlemen. -Oh and escargot. Lots of escargot!