Many grow up with aspirations to be famous actors, dancers and models. For most, these ambitions will be tucked away in adolescence, traded for other less competitive careers. 

For Tulane University sophomore Shelby Olivia Bradley, however, these dreams were realized. 

Bradley acts, dances and models while balancing academics. She is a full-time student at Tulane, majoring in digital media design and marketing communications with a minor in general legal studies through the School of Professional Advancement. 

But just a few months before she started her degree, she was on set every day, shooting for the Academy Award-winning film “Sinners.” She danced in the memorable juke joint scenes in “Sinners,” where she can be spotted behind Miles Caton as he belts out blues.

In a career where professional opportunities can arise at any moment, it has been crucial for Bradley not to have to be on campus for her classes. “I come to campus whenever I please, or whenever someone wants to meet,” she said.

A Louisiana native, Bradley started dancing at two years old, competing in everything from jazz to ballet. As she noted herself, her dance education is “very well-rounded.” 

Bradley has also worked in film since she was 15 and modeled.

But “Sinners” is undoubtedly Bradley’s biggest project to date.

“They reached out to me,” Bradley said. She initially turned down the project because of scheduling conflicts, but when they kept calling, she eventually said yes.

Before starting filming, all Bradley knew was that it was a Ryan Coogler film starring Michael B. Jordan. She did not even know the title of the film — its codename was “Grilled Cheese” for months.

Shooting a film requires long hours. Bradley said she worked 12-hour days for months, often working from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. “Sinners” filmed for five months total. 

The film was mainly shot at night, so Bradley would get to set, and they would “have to wait until it’s dark and shoot the entire time it’s dark until the sun [was] rising.” 

Although Bradley does not dance professionally anymore, she incorporates it into her modeling and acting career. 

Bradley said working on “Sinners” allowed her to “show [her] versatility, and more people are taking interest in what I do and what I’ve always done.”