When did you decide that you wanted to go into acting and do you think that you would want to continue acting as a profession?
I started acting mostly because my older sister enjoyed acting. I’ve always admired her and when she started performing in community theater, I was immediately interested in it too. Afterwards, I fell in love with it. I can’t imagine myself not acting and I would love to continue doing it.
How much has your life changed since the first Despicable Me movie came out?
Honestly, my life hasn’t changed too much since the first film. Because I’m a voice, people never recognize me on the street or when I’m in public. I think the biggest change that has come from it was my big move from New Jersey to California. When the second film in the franchise came out I decided to move to California permanently and it was the best decision that I could have ever made. I love living here.
What's your favorite thing about Despicable Me?
That’s a tough one. Probably just the fact that I get to play Edith. She’s such a fun character to voice and her character goes through so many different emotions in the film. Sometimes she’s super sassy and a huge troublemaker, while other times she acts like a protective and caring sister. She’s super dynamic.
We are so excited about Despicable Me 3, tell us more about it?
I’m so excited about this one too. I don’t want to reveal too much, but there’s a really fun relationship between Gru and his brother Dru. I really love Dru’s interaction with the girls and Lucy. The villain in this film is also going to be funny because he’s stuck in the 80s and he’s voiced by Trey Parker of South Park, which you just know will be amazing. If you liked the first two at all you will love the third. There are lots of laughs and it’s just a genuinely good plot. I haven’t seen it yet myself, but I can’t wait.
Also please tell us about your first on screen indie horror comedy movie?
I play Brie in The Ice Cream Truck. My role is small, but important and it was so incredible to have my first onscreen experience. I really loved it and I’m looking forward to doing more work like that, along with more voiceover work in the future.
What are your goals for 2017?
I think my biggest goal overall is to have no regrets. I don’t want to let my fears get the best of me. I don’t want to look back and say, “I wish I took that risk.” I think this year is about putting my fears on the shelf, trying new things, and not looking back. I can be a bit of a worrywart and letting go of that is something I strive toward.
Who do you look up to, both as an actor and a person? Where does your drive and inspiration to act come from?
I think that right now my inspiration as an actress comes from Brie Larson. After I watched her inRoom, I was captivated. She was able to tell such an incredible story and did it better than I could have ever imagined. Her talent is ridiculous and it’s something I admire. I think in my everyday life I look up to my family. My mom, my dad, and my sister are all so driven and ambitious and it’s hard not to be inspired by them. They’re also genuinely good people, so they were great role models for me and they still are. I feel like living away from them at UCLA has shown me just how lucky I am to have them.
JUNE/JULY 2017 - 34 ISSUE