Exclusive Interview: General Hospital’s Sofia Mattsson On Life

It’s been a year like no other due to the coronavirus pandemic. General Hospital star Sofia Mattsson takes some time to reflect about work and her own business — she tells Soap Hub all about it in this exclusive chat.

Sofia Mattsson Talks About Life

What have you learned about yourself this past year, especially those few months at home?
How grateful I am for my life and everyone in it. And I’ve learned that I can actually cook a few nice dishes at home! I’m normally not a big kitchen person and I like to eat out a lot, but now that I’ve been at home, I’ve started cooking a lot and it’s really nice. I especially love homemade pasta dishes!

How is your new business venture going – has it been greatly affected by the shutdown?
Just like any other retail business, our company, Ava Carrington, been experiencing less sales than normal during the shutdown. But this time has also brought a lot of attention to our environment and how to take care of it, so more people have shown interest for eco-conscious and vegan fashion. So we get a lot of excitement and support even though people are hesitant to spend money right now. We’re still working full time, we’re just focusing more on development and other parts of the business for now.

What is the meaning behind Ava Carrington, such a classy chic name?
It’s connected to our grandmother, who we were very close to growing up. One of our favorite things was hearing her reminiscence about her adventures around the world and all the incredible people she met abroad. Most memorable was a woman named Ava Carrington, who she always described as extremely classy, stylish, and fashionable. So that name has always been representative of a fashion-forward woman to us and is a way to tribute our grandmother as well.

Do you have exciting new plans for the business, once things open back up?
Yes! My amazing business partner, who just happens to be my sister, Helena, and I have been working on new designs and we’re hoping to launch a new line of handbags soon and introduce more colors as well.

Big Business

Where can we find your handbags?
We have the entire collection on our website www.AvaCarrington.com and we also post a lot of lifestyle photos wearing the bags on our Instagram handle @carringtonava – so that’s a great way to see the bags out in the world!

How is it, being in business with your sister?
It’s so fun! We think a lot alike and have qualities that complete each other. I’m very detailed oriented and overthink everything, and she’s more able to have a broad outlook and focus on the big picture.

Did the two of you fight a lot as kids?
No, not really. She’s a few years older than me so I just looked up to her and she was a great role model and inspiration to me. She’s always been very supportive and loving.

What’s the last gift that you bought for yourself?
A pair of warm slippers to wear around the house!

What TV show would fans be surprised you never miss?
The Bachelor/Bachelorette! Once you’ve started watching, it just hooks you. I also love the romantic dates they go on and seeing them travel the world.

What other riveting television do you watch?
Succession and Dead to Me. Both have amazing actors and interesting storylines.

What Brings Sofia Mattsson Joy?

What is your favorite vacation spot?
The Amalfi Coast in Italy. I was supposed to go there this summer again. It’s so charming, cozy, and beautiful. And of course, they have delicious food.

Is there any place you’ve always wanted to visit, but haven’t?
Iceland. It’s not far from Sweden where I grew up, but I’ve never been and I’d love to visit. Everyone seems to love it and it looks so relaxing and the nature is beautiful.

What is your favorite sport?
To watch, football. To play, tennis! A few years ago I trained intensively to learn how to play tennis for a role where I played a professional tennis player, and I absolutely loved it! I’ve been playing ever since!

What’s Sofia Mattsson’s favorite summer activity?
Grilling outside by a nice pool with friends or family while playing fun games.

What makes you laugh (or who)?
Michael Scott (played by Steve Carell) in the TV show The Office. I love that show and that character!

Best advice your father ever gave you?
To be myself and treat others the way I want to be treated.

Favorite TV show when you were a kid?
I loved watching Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Charmed. I guess I had a thing for magic haha. It made me want to do magic so badly!

Favorite beauty tip?
To focus on the beauty from inside. Treat others with kindness and do things that make you happy, because nothing makes you more beautiful than a happy smile.