INTERVIEW: Ariana Greenblatt Discusses Her New Movie ‘Love and Monsters,’ How She Prepares for New Roles, and Joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Ariana Greenblatt has become a familiar face on our screens and is continuously showing the world what a talented and hardworking young actress looks like.
Love and Monsters dropped on October 16, and Greenblatt stars opposite Dylan O’Brien. She manages to steal audiences’ hearts in all that she does, which is evident in her work as Young Gamora in Avengers: Infinity Wars and Bad Moms Christmas. The actress recently starred in Disney+’s adaptation of the New York Times bestselling and Newbury Award-winning novel, The One and Only Ivan. Next year, Ariana will be co-starring in Netflix’s Awake with Gina Rodriguez and Warner Brothers’ In the Heights. Live-action isn’t the only thing she does, however. You might recognize Greenblatt’s voice as Velma in Warner Brothers’ PVOD hit, Scoob. She is set to continue voice acting in Boss Baby 2: Family Business, which comes out in March 2021. Read our exclusive interview with Ariana below to find out more about her new film, who she wants to work with in the future, The One and Only Ivan, her past roles, future projects, and more.
GLITTER: Where did you grow up, and what made you want to pursue acting?
ARIANA: I was born in NY and then moved to Parkland. FL, but I was 7 when I got the role of Daphne Diaz in Stuck in the Middle. I have been in LA ever since. I’m 13 now. Not sure if pursue is the right word. I had an interest in Broadway, which led to a couple of meetings that led to a couple of auditions that I was lucky to book, and I haven’t really stopped since.
GLITTER: What was the first role you landed that left you speechless?
ARIANA: Funny enough, when I got a small role in Liv and Maddie, I was six and was a huge fan of the show and channel. I just couldn’t believe I was going to be on it. A couple of years later, when I got the role of Julia in The One and Only Ivan, I burst into tears. It was a big screen test, and I wanted the role so badly as a fan of the book. I literally cried tears of joy on that one.
GLITTER: How did you feel after your very first gig wrapped?
ARIANA: It’s never relief or anything like that. Film sets are really like this tight-knit close family. They’re very intimate, private, and secretive in some cases (like Avengers: Infinity War), so when it all ends, it’s a bit sad.
GLITTER: Are there any specific people you’d want to work with in the future?
ARIANA: Well, during quarantine, I watched a lot of movies and got really inspired by some performances like Natalie Portman in The Professional. I think she’s incredible and Leo DiCaprio, of course, who’s a generational actor. I loved What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, Romeo and Juliet and of course Titanic and Timothee Chalamet would be incredible. He is phenomenal!
GLITTER: How do you prepare for a new role?
ARIANA: I work intensely on understanding and breaking down characters with someone as early as the audition process. I go into every audition already completely off book with certain choices already established, so if I’m lucky enough to book the job, I then get more into the physical parts like the look and feel. Working with the wardrobe, hair, and makeup is critical. It really is a team effort.
GLITTER: What did it feel like when you were named ‘One to Watch’ on The Hollywood Reporter’s ‘2019 Young Hollywood list?’
ARIANA: Honestly shocked. I was honored to be included in that group. It was a really fun shoot. It had this Wes Anderson look, which was cool. To be recognized is always nice, but it’s always about the work for me, to just keep building off the last project, take a new risk or challenge.
GLITTER: Do you have a favorite fan memory or encounter?
ARIANA: The first time I was recognized was at Ripley’s Believe or Not in Hollywood. It was kinda dark also, and I was with my family, and we were all like shocked afterwards, but it was pretty cool at that moment. I was 7.
GLITTER: What would a dream role be for you?
ARIANA: Mathilda in The Professional would be so epic or Wednesday Adams if they ever do another Adams Family.
GLITTER: Is there someone in your life that you look up to, and that inspires you?
ARIANA: AOC.
GLITTER: Is there a line you’ve had for a project that you still have memorized?
ARIANA: “Did you do it?” “What did it cost?”
GLITTER: Best acting advice you were ever given?
ARIANA: Prep hard. Be prepared. Do your research and treat everyone with the utmost respect.
GLITTER: The One and Only Ivan just came out on Disney+; what attracted you to the role of Julia?
ARIANA: I had read the book before I started acting and was a mega-fan like so many millions of other kids. When I heard Walt Disney Studios was going to make it, I just knew it was going to be one of those generational magical forever movies. A classic.
GLITTER: On your Instagram, you said that you drew all of the drawings you shared with Ivan in the film. Was that your decision? Did you enjoy getting to draw everything?
ARIANA: It was a suggestion that the director Thea had, and when I arrived in London, they had gifted me a mega art kit to pass the time and find inspiration so I would draw at my flat and sometimes on set. I made a bunch of drawings, which some made into the film. Afterwards, Disney placed them in their archives!
GLITTER: What was it like working with Dylan O’Brien? You posted such sweet behind the scenes content from Love and Monsters for his birthday.
ARIANA: Well, I just love him. We both have this dry sarcasm and right from the beginning when I tested with him, and throughout shooting, we would just laugh, joke, and prank our way through the day. Honestly, he’s like a big brother, and yes, for my birthday, he sent me a great video that really surprised and touched me. Our birthdays are a day apart, which is also a fun fact. Let’s just say that I’m ready to do the sequel with him if it comes up.
GLITTER: What do you think fans will love most about Love and Monsters?
ARIANA: It’s really just such a fun, easy movie, you know? Nothing heavy or too deep. It’s what the world needs right now. I mean, who doesn’t love an action, romantic comedy? It’s a perfect escape movie that I think will appeal to everyone.
GLITTER: At such a young age, you joined one of the biggest movie franchises of all time with your role of Young Gamora in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. What was that like?
ARIANA: Secretive…Very, very secretive LOL Even on set, they moved me around under this giant veiled umbrella so no one could see me. I missed the premiere because I was in London filming Ivan, so the first time I even saw the movie was at a local cinema in Knotting Hill. My mom and I just bought a ticket and watched it like everyone else. It was pretty awesome.
GLITTER: Had you seen any of the Marvel films before taking the role?
ARIANA: Many of them, yes. My Dad and brother Gavin are huge fans of the MCU, and the Guardian films are my favorite. I love all those characters and what James Gunn has created with that side of the franchise.
GLITTER: What was your favorite part of filming Avengers: Infinity War? What was your favorite scene to film?
ARIANA: My favorite part was the hair and makeup process and prank calling people with Josh Brolin. My favorite scene to film was the dagger scene.
GLITTER: You played Lori in Bad Moms Christmas in 2017. Can you share any funny stories from filming?
ARIANA: Hanging out with Onna and Emjay, who were the only other kids. They did the first one also, but I was new to the franchise.
GLITTER: What was the most challenging dance you had to learn for Dancing with the Stars Juniors?
ARIANA: The Quickstep.
GLITTER: You recently voice acted the role of Velma in Warner Brothers’ PVOD hit, Scoob. Did you enjoy voice acting? Would you want to do more of it in the future?
ARIANA: It was quick and easy and 5 minutes to work from my house! Yes, I love voice acting. For a year now, I’ve been working on the sequel to Boss Baby, which is coming out in March 2021, and I can tell you that it is going to be awesome!
GLITTER: Do you have any favorite behind the scenes stories you can share from any of the films you’ve done?
ARIANA: I walked into the hair and makeup trailers in Avengers: Infinity War and Thor was casually getting his haircut, and we chatted. That was pretty cool!
GLITTER: Glitter has a Celebrity #SelfLoveCampaign. What does self-love mean to you?
ARIANA: Just feeling good about yourself, that there is only one of you in the world, and to embrace that. Understand that you are special and good enough and if others can’t see that, then simply move on.
GLITTER: Is there one message you want to share with fans that you live by?
ARIANA: Be a leader, not a follower.
GLITTER: What are you currently watching?
ARIANA: Kian and JC on YouTube. I love them.
GLITTER: Have you binged anything this quarantine?
ARIANA: Outer Banks #OBX (like 5x) and Never Have I Ever.
GLITTER: Favorite genre of film to do?
ARIANA: I love comedy and action.
GLITTER: Last movie you watched?
ARIANA: Hubies Halloween.
GLITTER: You will be starring with Gina Rodriguez in Netflix’s Awake; what can you tease about that?
ARIANA: Intense. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever done and was definitely the most challenging film. There was a lot of emotion and intensity but filming it with Gina was one of the best single experiences of my life. I deeply love her.
GLITTER: You are also going to be in In the Heights, is there something that attracted you to the film?
ARIANA: The Latin story of Lin-Manual Miranda’s musical is just one of the greatest, and I wish there were more great Latin stories to make. Also, you can never say no to Jon Chu!
GLITTER: What projects can you tell us about that you’re working on next?
ARIANA: Well, I can finally talk about Boss Baby 2: Family Business, but I can’t talk about the others because they haven’t been announced yet!
GLITTER: Show or movie franchise that you’d love to be a part of in the future?
ARIANA: Love and Monsters should be a franchise…agree?
GLITTER: Is there a role/character that you’ve done that you’ve shared qualities with?
ARIANA: There’s a little of me in all of them, but I love Minnow in Love and Monsters. We are very close.
GLITTER: Best social media platform for fans to connect with or find you?
ARIANA: Instagram @Ariana_greenblatt, and I’m very active on my Tiki’s Tok, which is @Ariana_027
Credits:
Photo Tiziano Lugli | Stylist Zadrian Smith | Hair Paul Norton | Make-Up Fabiola | Stylist’s Assistant Patrick Lynere
Look 1: Dress – Coach
Look 2: Shorts, Belt, Top and Cardigan – Red Valentino | Rings – Stylist’s Own | Fishnet Tights – Stylist’s Own | Shoes – Converse | Earrings – Ariana’s Own
Look 3: Shorts, Belt, Top and Cardigan – Red Valentino | Rings – Stylist’s Own | Fishnet Tights – Stylist’s Own | Shoes – Converse | Earrings – Ariana’s Own
Look 4: Skirt and Top – Miscreants | Rings – Stylist’s Own | Fishnet Tights – Stylist’s Own | Shoes – Dr Martens | Earrings – M.M.LaFleur
Look 5: Dress – Red Valentino | Rings – APM Monaco | Fishnet Tights – Stylist’s Own | Shoes – Dr Martens | Earrings – Ariana’s Own
Look 6: Skirt and Top – Miscreants | Rings – Stylist’s Own | Fishnet Tights – Stylist’s Own | Shoes – Dr Martens | Earrings – M.M.LaFleur
Photo Robyn Breen Shinn w/The Good Brigade | Stylist Sister Styling | Hair J Michael w/ Celestine Agency | Makeup Melissa Hernandez w/ The Wall Group
Look 7: Dress Vintage | Sneakers Fila
Look 8: Wardrobe Talents Own: Jeans Levi’s | Sneakers Vans
Award-Winning Publisher, Writer, Critic + Journalist || Tweet me @nikkifowler28
