Digital Cover: Catherine Ashmore Bradley
Talent: Catherine Ashmore Bradley
Photos: Kelsey Hale
Stylist: Desiree Morales
Make-Up: Courtney Hart
Hair: Richard Collins
Producer: Chrissy Wang
EIC + Words: Anthony Vu Cao
Special Thanks: Imprint PR
Hi Catherine – How are you?
I am doing so amazing! It’s sunny outside and warm and I got to sleep in so life is good! I am actually on set today filming a new episode for my brand new TV series, The Really Loud House. I am loving spending time with my incredible cast and crew, and doing what I love to do. I am also enjoying my freshman year at high-school, even though physics is a little stressful. I have a test later today!
Tell us a little bit about yourself. What drew you to becoming an actor? Ever since I was a really little girl, I knew I had a love for performing and especially making people laugh. I started off in competition dance, where I found my passion for musical theater. I wasn’t always the best dancer in the room, but I always connected with the audience. I loved telling stories and becoming different characters. I realized very young that if I could have a career doing something that I love, which also happens to be extremely fun, then I had to pursue it! My mom told me that if I wanted something then I needed to go for it and of course - work hard! My mom took me to my first musical theater audition, which was an open call in New York with hundreds of girls. It was terrifying, but this is where I got my first break playing Marybeth on the Broadway National Tour of A Christmas Story the Musical. It all took off from there!
Was there anyone specific that inspired you or you looked up to growing up?
So many different people inspired me growing up and even though it is a cliche, my mom definitely impacted me the most. She is strong, smart, and raised 4 kids while founding her own successful business. She works so hard for our family. She really believes in me and makes everything look so easy and I only hope one day to be able emulate her grace and integrity. She told me when I began my acting journey that I would be on Broadway one day and she was right. She is my biggest fan and has helped me every step of the way. Meryl Streep is also a major inspiration of mine. Not only is she a talented film actress, but also a talented theatrical actress. I think she is one of the best dramatic actresses of all time. Lucille Ball is another inspiration of mine. She is a comedic genius who has taught me a tremendous amount about comedy just by watching her. She is so expressive and I love her physical comedy and of course her facial expressions are epic. The role I play in Loud House is a very comedic and expressive role, but Luan also does have her more real dramatic moments. You may see a real tear or two out of Luan this season.
You star as ‘Luan Loud’ in the highly anticipated series “The Really Loud House.” What drew you to this project and to the role?
So I play the comedian teen-age sister, Luan Loud. and her alter-ego puppet. Mr. Coconuts. Being part of one of Nickelodeon’s most successful franchises was a huge draw. Also - bringing these beloved cartoon characters to actual life was a huge challenge. I really wanted to be true to the cartoon, but also make Luan more human and relatable to audiences. When my agent sent me this audition, I instantly clicked with Luan. Luan is a funny, loving, silly and sometimes goofy teenager who is obsessed with stand-up comedy. She is a comedian extraordinaire, the ultimate prankster, a master of disguises, a ventriloquist, and a total theatre geek. Her pranks can sometimes can border on lunatic when she loses control with her pranks! I had done a lot of drama on film, but really wanted the opportunity to do comedy. I actually feel like comedy is harder - you have to get the timing right and really own these comedic situations - they have to feel real to be funny! Acting funny is not enough. Also - the challenge of having a puppet . .. I was not a ventriloquist and literally learned on set on my first few takes. The key is the puppet has to always be alive in every scene, reacting and participating just like Luan. Mr. Coconuts is like a person to me now. It is a HUGE challenge and a lot of fun to play two characters at once!
What is your relationship like off screen with “The Really Loud House” cast?
I am extremely close with every single person in the cast. We are truly like a family! I constantly am hanging out with everyone. We all do weekly game-nights and family dinners are a must. We really have bonded and become our own family. We are all so supportive of each other and I feel really blessed to work with such incredible people. I also get to work with my sister, Aubin, who plays Lucy Loud, so that is really special! The odds in Hollywood that two sisters would both book the same show is just crazy. Being able to spend this type of time with my younger sister is an experience I know we will remember the rest of our lives. It is special. Not only am I best-friends with the cast, but I also LOVE the crew. They are my true secret-keepers, alongside my cast. Both Aubin and I hang out with the crew and our set teachers and go rock climbing a lot!
Do you relate to your character, ‘Luan Loud,’ in any way?
Well, we are actually a lot of like, but we do have our differences. For one, I don’t typically pie people in the face or use whoopee cushions on a regular basis. I also don’t have a puppet that I carry around with me all the time, but I do have a ton of stuffed animals that I used to give voices to when I was little. But like me, Luan is a performer! Luan started her stand-up comedy career at 8 years old, which was when I began my acting career. She is a comedian and I also LOVE doing comedy and especially impersonations. We are just both happy people and love to make people laugh and entertain them. Most of all, Luan is real and doesn’t take herself too seriously. Luan is confident in herself and is not changing for anyone. Luan just loves to be silly and have fun. I really hope that Luan inspires everyone to just be themselves!
Prior to “The Really Loud House”, you made your Broadway debut as ‘Lily Potter Jr.’ in “Harry Potter and The Cursed Child.” Tell us about your experience on the show.
It was literally magical! Performing on Broadway is one of the most incredible and special experiences of my life and then to perform as Harry Potter’s daughter in Harry Potter on Broadway was just epic! I also got to speak in a British accent! So, first of all the costumes were amazing. I got fluttering wings and also got sorted on stage by the sorting hat into Gryffindor! My first scene in the the show was also the opening scene on Platform 9 3/4! Also - your movements had to be so precise on stage due to the magic tricks. I have never scene such special effects on stage ever! I will also never forget the butterflies I felt as I walked onto a stage live and performed in front of thousands of people. There is honestly no feeling like this in the world. I will return to Broadway one day as I love live performances and being able to connect with audiences real time.
How do you balance your professional and personal life?
That is honestly the hardest part. While I have a professional career, I want to also have a typical teenager life. It is important to me to go to school with friends and work with teachers and participate in those important milestones in life. I have such great friends at home and I really miss them. My friends keep me grounded and keep me real! So it’s hard sometimes especially with social media when you miss your homecoming or graduation or just a football game. I have to work really hard to maintain those friendships when I am away for so long. But I also love being on set and doing what I love. It’s like I literally want to be at two places at the exact same time! Also, I am a freshman so doing six honors classes while on set is tough. I come home many days from set and do hours of school work. My mom has literally relearned every one of my subjects so I don’t fall behind. While balancing is hard, I know I am really lucky to have such a great support system of my friends, teachers, my brother and sisters, and parents.
What advice would you give to young aspiring performers? The advice I would give to young aspiring performers is the same advice I give myself every day. Be you! Never give up! Believe that your dreams will happen! Be kind! Laugh a lot! I think it is important for performers to never try and be someone that they are not. You have to be yourself and not change for anyone. Also, many young performers burn out. You literally do hundreds of auditions and many times you get no feedback at all. You can begin to question, is all this effort and time worth it. The answer is yes if acting is truly your dream or passion, so keep trying. I am a positive person and an optimist so you have to believe that your dreams will happen. I really believe that if you work hard, keep trying that anything is possible and you can make your dreams a reality, Lastly, we all need more kindness and laughter in the world - especially right now. So be kind, laugh a lot and have fun along the way.
What’s next for you?
Besides The Really Loud House, you can currently see me on Showtime’s City on a Hill as Julietta Caysen, playing Matt Del Negro’s daughter. I have an upcoming movie that will begin filming in February and have a few other projects that I am working on that I should be able to announce hopefully very soon! I am also singer also and have some stuff in the works there as well. And of course, there is more coming with the Loud House and Nickelodeon. I post on social medial regularly about my upcoming projects so fans can find updates on Instagram at @catherinebradley_ and on TikTok at @catherinebradleyy GR8T
