There’s a long-held tradition in the Greenblatt household. Whenever the young actor, Ariana Greenblatt lands a new role, a room in her house is transformed. “When I found out I had got the part in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, I came home from school to the sound of Aqua’s ‘Barbie Girl’ playing. Mum had decorated the whole room in a Barbie theme, complete with a pink Barbie cake. My first thought was like, ‘Oh my god! I get to work with Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie!’”
Taking on the role of ‘Sasha’, Greenblatt plays the human daughter of America Ferrera in the hotly-anticipated fantasy comedy alongside an esteemed cast, including Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrel, Dua Lipa, Emma Mackey and Helen Mirren.
“I spent a lot of time in the fantasy wardrobe room learning about Barbie’s history with fashion. It’s crazy how iconic Barbie truly is and how she has paved the way for so many fashion moments. Going to work everyday on the set of Barbie’s dream house was incredible,” recalls the actor. “We’d blast 90s music in the morning and Michael Cera [who plays Allan] and I would challenge each other at Wordle. He’s a genius and beats me every time. Margot is like my older sister. We bonded over music, our love of matcha and sushi. I still text her with updates on all my high school gossip.”
Having a mega star on speed dial, might seem like it would secure you some favourable bragging rights amongst your school peers, but hanging with Hollywood icons is second nature to the New York-born teenager.
Earlier this year the actor starred alongside Adam Driver in the sci-fi action thriller 65, and is set to join the company of Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis and Kevin Hart in film adaption of the beloved video-game Borderlands, releasing early next year.
With a slew of hit films already under her belt, the actor has her sights on a new goal this year: her drivers licence. Unfortunately, once she’s passed the test a Barbie convertible isn’t at the top of her list for a new set of wheels. “My dream car is a matte black Dodge Challenger, because my favourite singer of all time was Billie Eilish has one. I want to follow in that lane.”
As for who the rising star would love to take on next? “I would love to play Brittany Murphy in a bio pic. She’s been in some of my favourite movies. That would be incredible.”
Barbie is in cinema July 21.
