In a smoky Mississippi juke joint on screen, as a young blues guitarist ignites the crowd, a sultry dancer sways just behind him. That dancer is Tulane University sophomore Shelby Olivia Bradley - appearing in "Sinners," the horror film that won four Academy Awards on March 15.

Bradley, a model who performs under the stage name Shelby Olivia, is hard to miss. She makes her presence felt behind Sammie, played by Miles Caton, as he belts out the blues.

She's also prominently featured in some of the film's publicity photos that have been shared by major entertainment outlets including Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair and IndieWire.

An International Baccalaureate and honors graduate of Riverdale High School in Jefferson, Louisiana, Olivia enrolled in the Tulane School of Professional Advancement in 2025, which allows her to balance auditions with academics. She is majoring in digital media design and marketing communications with a minor in general legal studies and said all three areas have deepened her understanding of what takes place behind the scenes in the performing arts industry.

"My courses have been so helpful with my career and translating my career into the digital world," she said.

Her role in "Sinners," though, was a lesson of a lifetime. She worked with some of the film's biggest stars, including Caton and Michael B. Jordan, who is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. And she danced in some of the movie's most memorable scenes.

"I'm in the juke joint scenes," Olivia said. "We worked really long hours, from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. on some days. It was a lot of fun but a lot of work. I'm very proud of the success of the film and so happy to have been a part of the process."

Olivia, a dancer since was 2, is determined to make acting her full-time career, and thanks to a supporting role in the 2023 movie "Renfield," filmed in New Orleans, she is now a member of SAG-AFTRA.

Looking ahead, Olivia plans to continue building her career as a film actor and fashion model while completing her degree. "My ultimate goal is to share my art with the world," she said. "I want to break down my creative process and use tools like social media to show that journey."