Raise your hand if you were a Percy Jackson kid. I was! Or actually, I am. It’s a label that never leaves you, even when you finally come to the conclusion that you’re not actually a demigod. Although… sometimes I do still feel close to Athena.

If Aryan Simhadri, who plays *the* goat Grover Underwood in Disney+’s excellent Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, was a demigod, his famous parent would probably be Dionysus.

“He’s the god of theatre, so I figure I fall into that category automatically,” the actor tells Byrdie. “My dad’s a great engineer though, so Hephaestus wouldn’t be too crazy either.”

He’s not a demigod, but the 19-year-old is a part-time satyr—and Grover has his own lessons to teach about mythological prowess and having a strong sense of self. Playing him also requires lots of time in the hair and makeup chair; Simhardri’s head has impressive natural curl, but the horns have to be manufactured.

Ahead, the star tells us about his low-key beauty routine (including how he cares for that gorgeous hair), finding his light, and Percy Jackson, obviously.

Let’s take it back to season one of Percy Jackson. What did it feel like when you got the call that the role was yours? What has being a part of this cast meant to you? 

“Well, what I remember from when I first booked it was a lot of screaming and running around the house and calling people. I grew up on these books, so being able to play my favorite character is nothing short of a dream role.

As for being a part of this cast, I think, if anything, it’s not an under-exaggeration to say it changed my life. I’m very grateful to have made some of my closest friends on this show, and to be part of such an incredible family.”

What’s your favorite memory from shooting Season Two?

“I would say the week on the Ironclad when I was a camera trainee. I wasn’t working a lot this season, and our show runners Dan and Jon sat me down and told me I was welcome on set any time regardless of whether or not I was working. It was incredibly sweet, and I took them up on their offer by becoming a camera trainee! I think it definitely helped me with finding the lens and lights during filming which is unfortunately one of my weaknesses.”

Which god/creature/staple in Greek mythology do you most connect with, from a grooming standpoint?

“Aphrodite because I’m naturally beautiful. Either that or Mr. D, since Jason Mantzoukas has curly hair like the rest of the cast!”

What does your daily grooming routine look like?

“It’s pretty simple. It’s just showering, letting my hair air dry, and throwing on some moisturizer if I’m at home. If I’m going to an event, I put a little bit of product in it, like a leave-in conditioner, and cover my under eyes. As for the night time, it’s pretty much the same thing.”

Do you have a signature scent?

“Unfortunately, I believe it’s the last bottle ever manufactured of it, and the label came off in a factory explosion which destroyed every bottle but mine, so even if I wanted to tell you, I couldn’t.

I’m kidding, it’s a Maison Margiela scent that I received as a gift from a work event!”

Tell me about your curls! How do you care for them?

“The main way I take care of them is knowing how often to wash them, and what to wash them with. I’m not picky when it comes to the product, but if you’re shampooing and conditioning every day, it’s gonna dry and thin out your hair. At least, that’s what I think. As for how to treat them, I like to throw in coconut oil every now and again and then wash it out to keep it healthy.”

What’s been inspiring you lately?

“Great question! We just finished our Percy Jackson Season Two press tour, which was such a whirlwind and an incredible experience. And while I loved getting to travel the world with some of my closest friends, I found that being away from work just made me want to return even more. I’m not sure there’s a specific motivation, but being away made me realize how much I love working, and what I get to do for a living. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Timothée Chalamet speeches lately.”

Are you into any wellness practices right now?

“I like to try and meditate or pray after a shower, but other than that, not really! Even though I really should.”

What does your skincare routine look like while traveling?

“I like to shave with a single blade razor, as it makes me break out less, and then I use after shave and throw on some moisturizer. Pretty simple.”

How would you describe your personal style?

“It’s something that’s still changing day to day. If there’s one vice I have, it’s a cool jacket. I also love a good sweater (it being green is optional). A few brands that I would love to work with one day and try to mimic are vintage YSL, Brunello Cucinelli, and again, Maison Margiela.”

What are some things or products bringing you true joy right now?

“I love my cologne, and a good pair of over the head headphones, like the Bose QC45’s I’m wearing right now!”

What does confidence look and feel like to you? How do you stay confident?

“The best piece of advice I’ve ever heard for maintaining confidence is, ‘if you accept praise, you must accept criticism, and once you do that you are a slave to both.’ Be the judge of your own life! Who cares what anyone else thinks?”

What are you looking forward to in 2026?

“One of my goals as an actor has always been to lead a box office film, and I believe 2026 is the year I do!”