Ruby Cruz
Ruby Cruz, a young American actress known for her roles in “Mare of Easttown” and “Castle Rock,” currently stars as Kit in the new Disney+ series “Willow” streaming now. A reimagining of the 1988 fantasy film, the series picks up years after the events of the film and follows a group of heroes on a far-away quest. Cruz will also star in “Bottoms,” a queer teen comedy from “Shiva Baby” director Emma Seligman.
How did you get into acting? Did you always know you wanted to be an actor?
I’ve always loved acting, and always knew I would be doing it for my whole life. It felt natural to pursue something I love. I have a lot of different creative outlets that I’m excited to pursue.
You’ve worked on four shorts. What has been your experience on that type of project? Do you prefer working on shorts, series, or movies best?
Shorts are fun, I made a ton growing up with friends, but I would say I prefer working on something where I’m with a character for a longer time. Acting is becoming lighthearted, playful, and unserious, especially in something as noncommittal as a short, but it can also be a deep and complex process of getting to know someone. I find it more interesting when I have the time to learn everything about the character and the more time you have the more detailed and personal it becomes. “Willow” was a unique experience because I was with Kit for almost a year of my life and discovered her as she discovered herself. I would say I like movies best though as the production is 9 months is long!
What was it like working with Kate Winslet on “Mare of Easttown?”
I remember my nerves leading up to the first day I’d get to work with her. I’d say I don’t really get nervous around actors because they literally are just people, whether the pedestal they are kept on changes them into something else is one thing, but they are just people at their core. BUT “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” is one of my all-time favorite films. Kate and Jim’s performances really stuck with me. I just think she’s brilliant, which made me nervous. That was alleviated when I met her. I can’t speak more highly of a person, or of a scene partner. Kate was immediately so warm and inviting, poised and powerful, present with whoever she was speaking with, even me. When it was time to go to set, all the worry of intimidation was gone, and working with someone so committed and talented actually made things so much easier. She really showed me the importance of supporting the actors you're collaborating with. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable and creating something truthful takes a lot of giving and listening. Yeah, I hope I can meet her again and thank her one day for being a stand-up person.
Is there anything in particular you look for when reading potential scripts? What type of themes and characters would you like to lean into in the future?
I really like a challenge. I like things that make me question myself, my relationships, my morals. Frequently, I’ve noticed that the right project will come into my life at the right time. Things tend to align, and I will always end up learning a vital lesson or dealing with a character who either reflects what I need to see in myself or shows me what’s missing. I like the experimental and the abstract. I also like the stripped down, the honest and the truthful. I like when I don’t fall asleep reading it. I like gay characters and I feel lucky to have played even one, let alone a couple already. Ideally, next I want to flip everything on its head and do something so drastically different from the last. I honestly want it to be difficult to recognize me. Someone shy and introverted, who struggles to express any emotion. Maybe a hyper-feminine femme fatale, who is sexy, Southern and great at playing drums. I’d like to try that.
You’ve finished filming “Bottoms,” a comedy. What is the greatest challenge of working on a comedy film?
“Bottoms” will forever mean a great deal to me. It’s my first movie, extremely gay, and an opportunity to work with a group of young, talented filmmakers and actors whom I admire. A dream of mine has always been to make funny movies, and when I would imagine this, I’d see my closest friends and me in them. It was interesting getting hired to joke with a bunch of strangers. Of course, I ended up meeting some of the funniest people I know and gaining some amazing, beautiful, and vital people in my life, but sometimes socializing is hard. It was interesting having to learn to feign comfortability at first in order to feel secure enough to be funny. Another challenge was going through a breakup during a shoot and having to compartmentalize my complicated feelings, bury them, be recorded every day and be funny. Ha-ha, I’m joking, but no I’m not. I’m sure a lot of people can relate; actors, service workers, people who work with kids. Going through personal stuff and being constantly “on” can be hard sometimes.
How did you feel when you were cast as Kit in “Willow?” Had you seen the original?
I can’t really tell the story of how I found out. I want to keep my employers happy. But it was hilarious and profound. I hadn’t seen the original, but I remember watching it for the first time and really falling in love with it. It’s so unique and full of heart. I like how weird it is, and what struck me was how authentic and contemporary Val remained in such a fantastical world.
How did you prepare for your role as Kit?
What a hard thing to summarize! I spent a good month and half prepping for Kit. Writing for days about her past, all she went through as a child, creating her memories, learning her fears, desires, and relationships. Watching movie recommendations from Jon, our writer, like “Over the Edge,” “Some Kind of Wonderful,” “The Princess Bride,” and “Willow.” Watching other things, like “Freaks and Geeks” and Justin Bieber’s docu-series on YouTube. We also spent a month in training for the physical aspects of our roles. I was working out, learning how to sword fight and horseback ride. Feeling what it was like to train all day every day, like Kit did, helped a lot in figuring out how she carries herself physically. She’s slouchy, her muscles are tired from all the work, and she’s not as diligent with posture as someone like Jade, since she’s trying so hard to reject her royal-status and is probably traumatized from the years of “princess posture practice” she endured as a young child. I really tried to have clear differences between how Kit stood at neutral and how I do; it helps to separate her from myself.
The producers of the series viewed the crew of young characters on “Willow” as having a Breakfast Club feel. Do you agree? How would you describe the group’s relationship?
Ha-ha, I see it! Kit would probably be John Bender, Graydon is Brian, Elora is Molly Ringwald, Jade is Andrew Clarke, and Boorman is Allison. That’s what I think. I don’t remember the movie very well.
What was your favorite part of working on “Willow” and what was the greatest challenge?
I really can’t begin to express how grateful I am for Kit and Jade. I feel remarkably privileged to be able to support myself by doing what I love to do, so on top of that, having the opportunity to make an actual difference in people’s lives is beyond my comprehension. There is a total lack of queer representation in the industry at large, but specifically for fantasy fans. That’s why their story is so important. The relationship between my character, Kit, and her best friend, Jade, is a beautiful telling of two young women falling in love. That comes with complications, confusing feelings, and fears and, of course, being distracted by fighting real demons alongside the psychological ones. Being able to portray an authentic depiction of queer relationships was a huge deal for me. If I grew up with a princess like Kit, rooting for the relationship between her and her best friend. I feel like I would have understood myself a lot more, way sooner. There is such massive value in seeing yourself represented, and to be able to see the effect it’s had on the audience is so rewarding. For so many demographics, from race to sexuality, to our strides in representation of little people. It’s given a purpose to what I do in a major way.
What was it like working with Warwick Davis, one of the cast members of the 1988 film? Did he give you any advice on how to approach playing the daughter of Sorsha?
Warwick is so sarcastic, and he has mastered comedy. It was such an honor to work with someone so gifted at what they do; he is a legend in every respect. He really is the heart and soul of the original and of our series, and his presence on set was so essential. What I love about Warwick is that he really knows how to take care of himself in an industry that can ask a lot of people. He can always lighten the mood with a joke.
What is your dream role?
I want to be put into circumstances I never thought I would ever be in.
CREW CREDITS:
PhotoBook Editor-In-Chief: Alison Hernon
PhotoBook Creative Director: Mike Ruiz + @mikeruiz.one
Photographer: Timothy Fernandez
Talent: Ruby Cruz
Fashion Stylist: Chris Horan at The Wallgroup
Hair: Ashlee Rose at Forward Artists
Makeup: Edwin “Loftjet” Sandoval
Tearsheets by Daniel López, Associate Art Director, PhotoBook Magazine
Interview by Sienna Ropert, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
SHOP THE LOOK: RUBY CRUZ
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