A former High Wycombe resident who dreamed of Hollywood stardom has turned her dream into reality with a major role in a new film.

Lianna Liew, 25, has aspired to be an actress since she was 15 and her plans started to fall into place when she was offered a place at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2011.

Lianna, who lived in Downley, called on the people of High Wycombe to help her raise thousands of pounds to pay for the fees and she was finally able to move to Hollywood to chase her dream of stardom.

After working hard and raising the money needed with auctions and fundraisers, Lianna took up her place at the renowned Academy in 2011.

“It was really amazing, I learnt so much and I’m so grateful for the chance they gave me. They really get into your soul and make you look at yourself because you start looking at the characters and their emotions, it was wonderful.”

Having finished her training at the Academy, Lianna is about to take on a lead role in a new feature film, Other Halves.

“It’s about a dating app, but there’s more to it than that. We’re a group of programmers and we have designed this app that’s used to find out the real you and finds your perfect other half by looking at what you do on Facebook and other social media.”

The night before the dating app is set to launch, the group of developers discover that it causes odd side effects; users become violent, evil and lose all self-control.

“That’s the idea, but it’s a horror film so naturally, there’s a bit of a twist.”

Lianna will be taking on the role of feisty tech developer, Elle, in the horror flick.

“Without giving too much away, she believes she’s the brains behind the app. She’s very smart and likes to go her own way and she has a lot of creative ideas but no follow through.

“When I was in college I studied fine art and I always had these amazing, creative ideas that I wanted to do but I never had enough time or enough resources to do it. We had to make this sculpture once and when I did it, it ended up being so heavy it actually fell apart. In that way, I can relate to Elle definitely. Creative ideas that often don’t work!”

Lianna admits she was excited when she read the script for the first time.

She said: “I thought it was a really great idea. The script needed tweaking a little bit but I thought it was a really, really interesting concept and I'm so happy to be a part of it. We worked very closely with the director and the production team and they genuinely wanted to hear our views, which was great.

“I would say the film is in the same realms as Scream, so it’s not terrifying but it’s got its scary elements and it’s just brilliant.”

Lianna is working alongside a cast of young actors and luckily, she can’t wait to start working with them when they begin filming in San Francisco on January 23.

“They are all wonderful. I met them for the first time in November and we had our first read through the script and I really couldn’t be happier. I'm so excited to start working with them, they’re so talented and we’ve built up a great friendship already.

“One of my best friends [Melanie Friedrich] is in it as well, playing a German character. We met while we were at the Academy and it’s pure chance that we both got offered roles in this film together.”

Even though Lianna is living her dream in Hollywood, the former Wycombe High School pupil will always have a soft spot for her home town.

“I really love High Wycombe; it’s been so wonderful coming back for Christmas. I’ve been away in LA for two Christmases so it was nice to come home and have a proper family Christmas again.

“Although I live in Hollywood now, I still love coming back here.”

Despite being well on the way to Hollywood stardom, Lianna is still mindful of the help that the people of High Wycombe gave her in achieving her dream.

“I must say a massive thank you to everyone back in High Wycombe who came to my fundraising events and helped me get to where I am today. My friends and family were so great at raising money for me to go; they’ve been a real support.

With pilot season on the horizon, a time where American television networks receive hundreds of pitches for new TV shows, Lianna hopes that Other Halves will be the start of bigger and better things.

“Pilot season is the biggest time of the year so I'm hopeful I might get spotted. I want to really be able to sink my teeth into pilot season this year. I'm really hoping I can get a part in a TV show, that would be great and I want to see how that goes.

“I'm also working on a web series with some other people right now and it’s going to be good, kind of like The Office or Modern Family. It’s mockumentary style and really funny.”

For now, Lianna is focused on filming Other Halves and can’t wait to begin filming.

“Finding out I had got the role of Elle was amazing. It’s a really great way to start the New Year and I’m so excited to get started now.”

Visit www.otherhalv.es for more information or follow Lianna on Twitter @LiannaLiew.