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Did somebody say "rising star"? Oh wait, we did—after chatting with multi-talented actress and producer Julia Garcia.

At just age 17, Julia is taking her silver screen skills to a whole new level: After years of showing off her acting chops in front of the camera (you might recognize her as Emmy Mendoza from Disney's Sydney to the Max), she's making a name for herself behind the scenes as a producer on her recent film Alone. It's basically an IRL Hannah Montana best-of-both-worlds situation. 

To find out how she balances shining in the spotlight and making the movie magic *actually* happen, we sat down to hear all the deets from the go-getter gal herself. 

Girls' Life: Our readers know (and love!) you as Emmy Mendoza from Disney Channel’s Sydney to the Max. What did you love most about playing Emmy? 

Julia Garcia: Emmy was such a great character to play. She had a sweet, genuine heart but when it came down to it, she had no problem speaking up to defend her friends. I loved that Emmy didn’t take herself too seriously. She was the show's comedic relief character. I loved knowing I always brought a smile to people's faces.

GL: Can you tell us any life lessons you learned on set? 

Julia: I learned to think quickly on my feet. There were often last-minute script or schedule changes. One day, during our first season, I remember being on set, camera-ready, and the sound stage was absolutely freezing. People were walking around inside wearing their snow jackets. I asked, "Why is it so cold in here?" and the creator of the show overheard me. He said “Because cold is funny.” He was absolutely correct—being cold keeps you on your toes and the comedic timing just flows from you.

GL: We have to know: Can you tease anything about your future roles? 

Julia: I’m currently working on a film called Depiction, which will be my directorial debut. I play a girl named Alex, who stays tough although she’s barely hanging on. She struggles with depression and loss. I hope Depiction sparks a much-needed conversation about mental illness. I hope audiences take away a new perspective which challenges perceptions and stigma.

@realjuliagarcia

GL: We’ve heard you’re working behind the camera as a producer, too. What do you love about producing? 

Julia: Producing is amazing. You stay with the project from the beginning stages all the way through filming and editing. It's really special to see the final cut in all its glory. Producing gives you creative control of the storytelling. I recently executive produced a film called Alone that will be making its way through the festivals this fall.

GL: What advice would you give someone who wants to get into producing or filmmaking in general?

Julia: Producing gives you a voice when it comes to design, lighting, actions and more. These are pivotal to bringing any story to life. It gives authenticity to the story, setting and characters. My advice for someone who wants to get into producing is to learn as much as you can about how to make a movie. Be on set in any capacity, observing as much as possible. Understanding how to create the vision is the first step towards making the vision happen. 

GL: Beyond making movies, what else are you really passionate about?

Julia: I’m passionate about dance. My earliest memories are from the dance studio. I started classical ballet when I was four years old and fell in love with it. Now I've ventured out into other styles such as hip hop, jazz funk, and locking. Dance gives me a much-needed physical and mental reset.

A few fast facts with ✨Julia Garcia✨

Fave school subject? 
Julia: English.
 Something you just can't leave the house without?
Julia: Lip liner.
Book you’re currently obsessed with?
Julia: A Different Blue by Amy Harmon.
Superior snack?
Julia: Ritz crackers with peanut butter.
Best after-school TV show? 
Julia: Spongebob Squarepants.

Keep up with Julia and her awesome film projects on IG here!

Want to see what your fave celebs are up to? Check out these posts next: 
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⭐ Actress Kennedy Garcia is making her wildest dreams come true 
⭐ We're officially under Janice LeAnn Brown's spell

Top and slider image: Rosario Curia

by Kindle Hoey and Erin Sargent | 10/9/2024