Saleka Night Shyamalan channels Taylor Swift for role in ‘Trap’

Saleka Night Shyamalan has revealed how she drew inspiration from Taylor Swift for her role in the psychological thriller "Trap." 

Speaking exclusively to PEOPLE on July 24 at the film's premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Shyamalan discussed how Swift’s “boss woman” persona influenced her portrayal of Lady Raven, a pop star in the movie.

"Trap" features Josh Hartnett as a serial killer who takes his teenage daughter, played by Ariel Donoghue, to a pop concert that turns out to be a police trap. Shyamalan’s character, Lady Raven, is the pop star at the centre of the plot.

“We talked a lot about Taylor Swift on set and how she’s this boss woman and CEO,” Shyamalan told PEOPLE. She praised Swift for being a positive role model and a powerful businesswoman.

In addition to Swift, Shyamalan cited other artists like Rosalía and Billie Eilish as influences. “I’m kind of this introverted, shy person, so walking out on stage with confidence is not something that comes naturally to me,” she noted.

Saleka also announced her upcoming album, "Lady Raven," which will feature 14 songs from the "Trap" soundtrack. The album, set for release on August 2, includes collaborations with Amaarae, Russ, and Kid Cudi. She expressed her gratitude to these artists on social media, highlighting their impact on her career.

“Russ, I’ve been a fan of yours since day one and getting to work with you… has only made me an even bigger fan,” she said in an Instagram post.