IN CONVERSATION WITH ARIANA GREENBLATT

Interview by Jana Letonja

Ariana Greenblatt will be seen in the highly anticipated Warner Bros romantic comedy ‘Barbie’, directed by 3-time Academy Award winner Greta Gerwig and based on the Barbie fashion dolls by Mattel. This first-ever live-action Barbie film stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling with a supporting cast including Ariana and is being released worldwide today (21st July).

Ariana, you’re starring in one of the most anticipated films of the summer, ‘Barbie’. How did you get cast on it and how excited were you to be a part of this production?

I was cast after a long process of auditions and meetings. I had a Zoom meeting with Greta and Margot and specifically remember thinking “Even if this role isn’t for me and I don’t get it, I’m happy I was able to have this meeting and talk to some of my favorite people”. I’m overwhelmingly excited to be a part of this film and can’t wait for everyone to see what we created. 

In ‘Barbie’, you portray Sasha, Gloria’s daughter. Tell us more about your character and what is her role in the film?

Sasha represents the people who have strong opinions on Barbie and she also represents teen girls with complicated relationships with their mom. I think Sasha is incredibly smart and sometimes can come off as rude, but she always has a point and evidence to back herself up. Throughout the journey of the film, Sasha understands Barbie more and finds herself caring for Barbie rather than blaming her. 

How big fan of Barbie were you growing up? Is starring in this movie kind of a dream come true?

I was a massive fan of Barbie. I watched all the Barbie movies and Barbie dream house, but I was the kind of kid that made all her Barbies ‘Weird Barbie”. 

In the film, you star alongside Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, among others. How was it being on set with all these talented actors?

It was surreal and an experience I will cherish forever. I turned into a sponge and observed everything they were doing. I took this film as like a masterclass for acting. 

Barbie and her friends have always had a very impressionable fashion. How do you personally feel about fashion? What makes you excited about fashion?

Fashion has always been something I’ve loved and a way for me to express myself. Being able to wear whatever you want and look however you feel is comforting to me, but always exciting because there’s no limit to fashion. 

Before ‘Barbie’, you built quite a fandom on social media and no doubt this will explode after the film is released. What is your relationship with social media and how do you deal with all the media attention?

I have recently started to use social media less and try to detach myself from the internet. Obviously, I grew up on the internet, watching YouTube all the time so I still have that side of me, but I hate being perceived on the internet, and knowing people can form whatever opinion they want about me is terrifying. 

You started acting at a young age. What roles and projects challenge you the most as an artist?

I think filming ’65’ was my biggest challenge. It taught me a lot about the industry and about acting, especially about acting and communicating when you can’t speak the same language. I’m grateful for the experience and for getting to learn from an incredible actor like Adam Driver, because it has set me up with more knowledge for the future. 

Is there an actress or an actor that truly inspires you to reach for your goals and dreams in your career? Can you also share a bit more about your biggest dreams?

An actress I’ve always admired is Margot Robbie. Working with her was a pure example of what hard work is and that hard work does payoff. My biggest dream is to create a movie from scratch, write it, direct it, star in it and most importantly, actually have it greenlit and shown to the world. 

Later this year, we’ll also see you in Lionsgate’s ‘Borderlands’, a film adaptation of the popular high-wattage video game. What can you share with us about this sci-fi action comedy?

‘Borderlands’ is so special to me. It was the most fun I’ve ever had on a set. The cast was such a random group of people, but we ended up being like a big dumb family. Director Eli Roth is one of the funniest, most creative people I know. My character is unhinged, blonde and explosion obsessed. 

Ariana, tell us one thing about yourself that we would be completely surprised to get to know about you.

I’m deeply obsessed with Vogue beauty secrets videos and want to do one so bad. My favorite thing to do with my friends is drive around and listen to music. I had an old YouTube channel in 2020, where I made tragically cringy videos because I had nothing else to do in quarantine. My lifelong goal was to meet Billie Eilish, but now I have and don’t know what to do with myself. 

TEAM CREDITS
Talent: Ariana Greenblatt @ariana_greenblatt
Photographer: Nick Rasmussen @bynickrasmussen
Stylist: Raz Martinez @itsmerazzie
Makeup: Jen Tioseco @jentioseco
Hair: Kiley Fitzpatrick @bykileyfitz
Production designer: Annika Fischer @anniirose
Prop stylist: Gina DeVivo
Stylist assistants: Conrad Paul Gyuras & Monica Morales @_jusconrad @monivalenciana
Studio: The Ivory Space @theivory.space 
Lit with @aputure.lighting
Shot on @kodak
Editor: Timi Letonja @timiletonja
Cover design: Arthur Roeloffzen @arthurroeloffzen
Interview by Jana Letonja @janaletonja

THIS PHOTOSHOOT & INTERVIEW WERE CONDUCTED BEFORE THE SAG-AFTRA STRIKE!