Super Siblings - AJ and Alayna Bernard

by Cindy Reid

Ten-year-old AJ  and thirteen-year-old Alayna Bernard are siblings from Richmond Hill working hard to catch their big break in the acting industry. What started with a simple flooring commercial has transformed into an impressive journey of learning lines, navigating auditions, handling rejection, mastering life "on set," and managing success with remarkable grace.

Supported by their level-headed and practical mom, Magdalena Bernard, they're a refreshing departure from typical "stage kids." Sweet and savvy, both children are delightfully down-to-earth with a variety of interests and talents that extend far beyond the camera. Recently, they both landed roles in the blockbuster Superman movie – and if you've been following the film's marketing campaign, you've likely seen AJ's powerful scene holding the Superman flag, featured in three official trailers.

Superman: From "Genesis" to Global Success

Landing a role in a major production like Superman doesn't happen overnight. The journey began when the children's agent secured them an audition for a mysterious production code-named "Genesis." At the time, AJ  was nine and Alayna was eleven. Both auditioned on the same day and were asked to hold certain dates.

"Thankfully, after a day or two, they told us they were both chosen, and we were so excited!" says Magdalena. "We had no idea it was the Superman movie because the script pages they gave us never mentioned Superman. Instead, they referred to a character named 'Ion Man,' so we thought maybe it was Iron Man."

When another production showed interest in AJ , creating a scheduling conflict, the family made a strategic decision to wait for the call from DC Studios. "Once we got the call from production and they told us it was Superman, we were so glad we stayed available for it!" Magdalena recalls.

Production primarily took place in Atlanta, with location filming throughout Georgia and Ohio. The children's scenes were shot in Macon, in what Alayna describes as "a big desert area" – their parts were set in a desert war zone. AJ  loved riding the 'gator' (an all-terrain vehicle) to set, which was necessary due to the massive amount of sand covering the location. "There were tons of military vehicles, tons of soldiers, and Jarhanpurian people," he remembers.

Writer-director James Gunn left a lasting positive impression on both young actors. "He would tell us what to fix and was really nice," Alayna shares. AJ  adds, "He was really nice and easy to chat with, and he gave me a special Pez dispenser – one of the superhero ones."

One of the most cinematic moments in the entire film belongs to AJ : he's seen in the middle of a battle, struggling to raise a long pole with a homemade Superman flag while praying for Superman to save the day. It's a classic superhero moment that delivers exactly the emotional punch audiences expect.

While AJ and Alayna said the flag scene was "filmed pretty quickly" and seemed like just another day on set, Magdalena recognized its significance. "I knew AJ 's role was integral to the story and that moment was the emotional arc of the movie. It's a great moment."

The family was on a cruise when the trailer featuring AJ  was released. Unfortunately, most of Alayna's scenes were cut during editing, though you can spot her assisting AJ with the flag. "Oh my gosh!" Alayna says. "It was exciting but a little hard. The whole cruise, my dad kept saying, 'You can see your arm!' which was really sweet." She's hoping to see her deleted scenes on the extended DVD release.

Alayna handles the disappointment like a true professional: "I still got to do my own stunt. They asked me, 'Can you fall?' I said yes, and I fell on my butt, got up, and ran away. They did three takes, and I got right up each time."

As for AJ, he's enjoying his moment in the spotlight while already looking forward to his next role. As of July 27, 2025, Superman has grossed $289.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $213.2 million internationally, for a worldwide total of $502.7 million
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Show Business: From Dreams to Reality

Alayna's love for acting began at age six when she watched other children on TV and declared, "I want to do that!" Around that same time, the NBC series "Council of Dads" was filming in Savannah. Magdalena submitted both herself and Alayna as extras. While they'd already cast the children's roles, Magdalena was chosen, and being on set gave her the motivation to make Alayna's dream a reality.

"I searched Facebook groups for acting information and learned a lot," Magdalena explains. "I found a local photographer and acting coach, then Alayna got a manager who helped us connect with a really good agent in Atlanta."

During COVID, filmmakers preferred using children from the same household to minimize infection risk, which led to AJ's first acting job alongside Alayna in a Pergo flooring commercial. AJ loved the experience, continued pursuing more work, and was eventually signed by Alayna's agent as well.

This led to a role in "Miracle Across 125th Street," a VH1 movie written by and starring Nick Cannon, which showcased AJ's musical talents. "Nick Cannon taught me how to play 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' on the piano," AJ recalls. He also sang "This Little Light of Mine" on screen.

"The movie experience gave AJ the opportunity to discover his musical talents and love for music," his mother notes. "After that experience, he took voice lessons for three years. Now he sings and plays guitar. AJ really is a music prodigy."

AJ has also appeared in episodes of "Chicago P.D." and "Ruthless" (a Tyler Perry drama series), plus the movie "Strays" with Jamie Foxx and Will Ferrell.

Alayna started as an extra but had bigger aspirations: "I wanted to see myself on screen and on Disney." Beyond Superman, she's appeared in "Wife Stalker," "Not Another Church Movie," and the series "The Advocate," among many other credits and commercials. Both children are also featured on Disney Magic Bands – wristbands that use technology to connect guests to various experiences at Disney theme parks.

Being on sets can be tedious, but Alayna enjoys hanging out in the performers' trailer and visiting craft services (the meal area) between takes. AJ loves craft services too, plus watching the action on monitors. His mother says he's fascinated by what happens behind the scenes and loves helping with production. "My favorite is holding the slate," he says.

"I am an on-camera girl," Alayna laughs. "I have no idea how any of the technical side works!"

Magdalena notes that child actors today have a very different experience than in the past. She accompanies her children to every shoot and explains, "There's a child labor representative on set, so there's always someone advocating for the child's needs."

School & Fun Stuff: Keeping It Real

Unlike many young working actors, both children attend regular school rather than being homeschooled. Magdalena says the school superintendent and teachers have been accommodating and supportive, while she ensures the children complete their work and meet attendance requirements.

When not at school or auditioning, Alayna stays busy as a competitive dancer and gymnast. She's even managed to compete while away on set. "I love dancing and gymnastics," she says. "I was able to work with other gyms to keep up my skills when I was away, and I could watch videos so I wouldn't fall behind."

Her brother plays basketball, competes in swimming, and will be testing for his black belt in November.

Magdalena emphasizes that acting is "just something they do – it's not their whole life. Sometimes they win and sometimes they don't, which helps keep the kids grounded and humble. There's always another role, and that helps heal when their hearts are a little broken."

In fact, right after this interview, Alayna and her mother were headed to Tampa, Florida, where she was reprising her role in "Advocate Part 2," a series on Pure Flix. AJ had just finished filming "Husband's Revenge," a Lifetime movie.

Magdalena says that although she stays busy juggling her government job with being available for the children, it's "really a tag team effort" between her and husband Augusto Bernard, who retired after twenty years in the military. The family, which includes two older siblings, loves spending time at Tybee Island beach and going out for pizza.

"And gummy candy!" AJ adds with a grin.

So keep your eyes on the screen for these two local kids who are absolutely crushing it in Hollywood – while staying true to their Richmond Hill roots!