Sway Bhatia Talks Sinking Her Teeth Into Disney Channel’s ‘ZOMBIES 4’ — And Fans Are Living For It (Exclusive)

The ZOMBIES universe just got a major power boost—and her name is Sway Bhatia. The multi-talented actress, dancer, and all-around scene-stealer is making her monster mash debut as Vera, a rule-following, vampire-loving sass queen in ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires, now streaming on Disney+ and airing on Disney Channel!

For Sway, joining the beloved Disney Channel Original Movie franchise is a dream come true. “It’s premier week, and I’m literally feeling all the feels,” she tells Celeb Secrets exclusively. “As a genuine ZOMBIES superfan, it’s so surreal to be here. I’m excited, nervous, emotional—everything!”

So who is Vera? According to Sway, she’s “a master at sass,” adding, “She’s so much fun to play. I really got to bring my inner sass out—and I feel like Vera is my spirit animal!” Whether she’s navigating drama between rival factions or gushing over the nightlife (her catchphrase is literally “the nightlife is the right life”), Vera brings bold energy to every scene. “She’s sassy, a rule follower, and 100% vampire crazy,” Sway says. And yes, she says that as Vera… and as Sway. #MethodActing

Vera may be new to Seabrook, but her character plays a pivotal role in uniting the Vampires and Daywalkers. And Sway? She slays the part—on and off screen. “Getting to dance and sing on camera with people I love was a dream,” she shares. “And to know kids will now be dancing in their living rooms to this movie the way I used to? That’s full circle!”

Believe it or not, this ZOMBIES gig started with a midnight email and a 12-hour notice Zoom audition. “I had already met Milo [Manheim] at the Prom Pact premiere and was a huge fan,” she says. “He actually told me, ‘I’m sure you’ll be in ZOMBIES 4’—and next thing I knew, I was auditioning for Vera!”

She booked the part within days, flew to New Zealand (yes, all the epic scenes were filmed on-location), and reunited with old Broadway friends like Meg Donnelly. “Meg and I did our first-ever theater project together in New York. Now we’re in our first movie together. It’s wild.”

In the film, Sway didn’t just act—she also served as a dance captain on set, running late-night rehearsals in the hotel with her castmates. “I’ve been dancing since I was two, and I took the role seriously,” she laughs. “There were a lot of ‘No! Clean those arms! Better musicality!’ moments.”

When asked about her favorite number, she couldn’t pick just one. “’Show the World’ holds a special place in my heart, and of course ‘Don’t Mess With Us’—that dance will destroy your back the next day, FYI.”

Aside from the new vampire vs. daywalker drama, ZOMBIES 4 continues the franchise’s tradition of catchy songs, powerful messages, and heart. “We made this film for us,” Sway says proudly. “We’re so proud of the dancing, singing, acting—everything. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll feel it.”

And longtime fans? Prepare for some nostalgia. “There’s a moment in the film that calls back to ‘Someday,’” she teases. “I cried the most at that part.”

What’s next for Sway? “I’m heading to NYU this fall to study filmmaking, I’m songwriting, and working on a few projects I can’t talk about just yet,” she hints. But one thing’s for sure—her passion for telling stories isn’t going anywhere.

And if she had to leave younger creatives with one message? “Tell your own story,” she says. “That’s what Vera did, and that’s what I try to do every day.”

ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires is out now on Disney Channel and Disney+, with a killer soundtrack and plenty of TikTok-worthy dance numbers. And if you’re lucky enough to catch the Descendants/ZOMBIES: Worlds Collide Tour this summer, don’t be surprised if Vera makes a surprise cameo…

You can watch our full interview with Sway below, and don’t forget to let us know what you think of Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires by either leaving a reaction at the bottom of the post or by sliding into our DMs on Instagram at @celebsecrets.

Interview quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity in this feature.