No Expiration Date on Dreams: Sonja Wajih on Breaking into Stunts After 30

Spotlight Q&A with Sonja Wajih

You didn’t start stunt work until after 30 — what gave you the courage to take that leap into such a demanding field later in life?

I always had this feeling that I was meant to be doing something more — that I hadn’t quite found the thing I was meant to do. Every passion and job I had before stunts gave me the building blocks for success: the discipline, the creativity, and the work ethic to make it happen. When the opportunity came, I realized it wasn’t about timing — it was about being ready.

What do you remember about your very first day on set as a stunt performer?

The nerves! I was Taft-Hartley’d onto my very first project as a 1X — which is a highly sought-after role for a stunt performer, since you’re doubling the lead of the film or show. They took a chance on me as a brand-new stunt performer, and suddenly I was thrown into this incredibly demanding position. The self-doubt definitely crept in — the imposter talk of, ‘Can I do this? Will I be a disappointment?’ But it all went great. That experience taught me something I carry with me: all it takes is one person to take a chance on you — and it’s up to you to be ready when that moment comes.

How did you approach the intense training and skill-building required to break into the industry without the “traditional path”?

I made my own path. Coming from a background as both a dancer and a live event producer, skill-building and intense training were already second nature to me. I knew I wanted to be a multi-use tool — someone who could bring real value to the team. So I poured myself into training — motorcycles, stunt driving, wire work, fights, fire, anything I could get my hands on — and treated each new skill as another piece of the puzzle. That mix of curiosity and consistency helped me build trust on set, and over time, that trust turned into opportunity.

You’ve done everything from high-speed car hits to full-body fire burns. Which stunt has been the most challenging — physically or mentally — and why?

Physically and mentally, the most challenging stunts for me are always the car hits. You have to do the opposite of what your survival instinct tells you — take the hit, commit to it, and do it safely enough that you can repeat it if needed. Not to get too dark, but what’s fascinating about this work is that, through different types of gags and training, I’ve gotten a glimpse of what some people might see in those split seconds before serious injury or even death. It’s intense, but it’s also what makes the craft so real and powerful on screen.

When doubling for iconic performers like Jenna Dewan, Penelope Cruz, Karol G, or Rosie Perez, how do you prepare to embody their unique physicality on screen?

As a dance major in college, one of my professors would start class with a simple exercise: just walking around the room. Then we’d pick someone to follow, study their gait, and recreate it. It was a movement embodiment exercise — and it’s something I carry with me into stunt doubling.

When I step on set, I’m hyper-vigilant about how the actress chooses to move as her character. My job is to make sure her physical choices stay consistent through the action I’m asked to connect. That attention not only helps editors create seamless transitions, it ensures the audience stays fully immersed. The biggest compliment I can receive is when you can’t tell the difference between the actress and the stunt double in motion.

What’s something audiences might be surprised to learn about the behind-the-scenes reality of stunt work?

Maybe that it’s not glamorous. You’re always sweaty, almost always sore, and somehow need to go 10-1 (bathroom) at the worst possible times — and you just hold it! Ha!

Your Emmy nomination for The Rookie was such a milestone — what did that moment mean to you personally and professionally?

Honestly, it’s hard to put into words. An Emmy nomination was something I had only just recently added to my vision board — before that, I hadn’t even fathomed it. To see it become real showed me that we’re all capable of achieving our wildest dreams. It’s also such a powerful validation — not just of the work itself, but of every leap of faith it took to get here.

You’ve spoken about the lack of representation in stunt work. What barriers do women — and especially women from underrepresented backgrounds — still face in the industry?

The rise of women in stunts isn’t about replacing anyone — it’s about expanding the table. There’s so much power in inclusion, in making space for different voices, bodies, and experiences in how we tell action stories.

At the same time, the barriers are still real. Women — and especially underrepresented women — often have to fight twice as hard to be seen as capable, competent, and castable. Too often left out of major action beats — that’s why visibility and opportunity matter so much.

I’ve been incredibly lucky to work with men — coordinators, performers, directors — who saw my value, vouched for me, and helped open doors. That kind of allyship matters. And this Emmy nomination for the work on The Rookie feels like a reflection of that collective support. It’s not just recognition — it’s proof of what happens when we uplift one another.

What excites me most is seeing more women not only performing these stunts, but stepping behind the camera — coordinating, directing, leading second units. That shift is huge because it means women are helping shape the action from the very beginning.

Now, I feel a responsibility to be a voice — to uplift the next wave of women, especially those who haven’t always seen themselves reflected in this field. We’re not just part of the action — we’re shaping it.

You’re doubling Penelope Cruz in The Bride — what excites you most about that project?

I was truly honored to have the opportunity to step in for a couple of days doubling Ms. Cruz, covering for my colleague. A huge thank-you to Tara and Stephen for trusting me with that. As for the movie itself — I’ll leave a little mystery there for now. :)

You describe yourself as someone who believes in “showing up, staying ready, and taking the leap.” How has that philosophy guided your life outside of stunts?

For me, it’s a way of life. I didn’t have a roadmap into this career, so ‘showing up’ meant walking into rooms where I didn’t know anyone and figuring it out. ‘Staying ready’ meant training and putting in the work whether or not anyone was watching, whether or not the phone was ringing. And ‘taking the leap’ was moving to Los Angeles without a net, trusting that hard work and consistency would open doors. That philosophy has guided me not just in stunts, but in friendships, family, and navigating all the unknowns of life. At its core, it’s about courage, consistency, and community.

What advice would you give to someone who feels like it’s “too late” to chase their dream?

I’d tell them it’s never too late to rewrite your own story. I started fresh — way later than most — and that path led me to an Emmy nomination. Dreams don’t come with an expiration date, but they do require courage and persistence. If you’re willing to put in the work and trust the process, it’s never too late. In fact, if it feels too late, that’s probably the exact reason you should start.