of on-set experience. I got really great at hitting my marks without looking and making sure that even though there were 30 people around me, I could really stay focused on the scene. Even when you’re preparing for those harder scenes, sort of learning your process by which you take yourself to a more emotionally vulnerable state and level, just getting that real-world practice on set in the actual environment—those are things that I will, of course, continue to take with me forever. But I really learned a lot about how Hollywood can work and how hard of a business it can be, and how much you have to push for things to be successful and to prove yourself to people.”
The “On My Block” cast was a team made in heaven. SIERRA CAPRI: “It’s weird. I always get asked, ‘What are you going to miss about the show?’ And believe it or not, the main thing is probably the cast, because we are a family. Even though we’re gonna see each other all the time, it’s just weird not actually working together, because it’s so rare that we have that type of energy. And hopefully we do all get to work with each other again.” BRETT GRAY: “I always say, at some point, I would love to get into producing; and my dream is to get us back together in some way.”
They both used Backstage to get a foot in the door. BG: “Honestly, my advice for new actors would be to get on Backstage and get serious about Backstage, and to at least start there. Try to just put your foot out and start learning.” SC: “Definitely. If you were an actor back then and you weren’t looking at what was being posted, then you just weren’t a go. It was for background work. It was always something that you could submit yourself for, and it’s always an opportunity for anyone of any race, any shape, size—it doesn’t matter. You can always find something that’s right for you. But I’d probably also say: Never take no for an answer. That’s the main thing I have to tell myself now, because I would get discouraged.” BG: “You can’t rely on your agents and your managers; you have to continue [to have] that hunger. You have to continue, you have to keep reading stuff, you have to keep meeting people, you have to keep working and acting and figuring out ways to be creative because it calls more to you.”
Working on the series served as a Hollywood crash course for the pair. BG: “Of course when you’re acting every day, you get that sort
Want to hear more from Capri and Gray? Watch our full interview at backstage.com/ magazine, and follow us on Instagram: @backstagecast.
Brett Gray and Sierra Capri on “On My Block” Backstage Live
On Their Block, On Their Terms
Sierra Capri and Brett Gray reflect on the final season of “On My Block” By Madison Mora
The following audience Q&A for our on-camera series Backstage Live was compiled in part by Backstage readers just like you! Follow us on Twitter (@Backstage) and Instagram (@backstagecast) to stay in the loop on upcoming takeovers and to submit your questions.
TELEVISION
A Girl Boss Gig for Uma Thurman
COURTESY NETFLIX
MARGAUX QUAYLE CANNON
By Casey Mink
backstage.com
“ON MY BLOCK” BREAKOUT stars Sierra Capri and Brett Gray are coworkers onscreen, but best friends at heart. Having just wrapped the fourth and final season of their hit Netflix series, the duo shared what they’ve valued most in their time working together, how their connection first began, and what advice they have for other upstart performers.
THURMAN HAS SIGNED ON TO PORtray Ariana Huffington in “Super Pumped,” an upcoming Showtime series which will depict the rise of ride-sharing company Uber. The project is intended to be an anthology, with the first season centering on Uber CEO and co-founder Travis Kalanick (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt). Subsequent seasons will each focus on a different major business. As Huffington, who was an Uber board member, Thurman joins a cast that also includes Kyle Chandler and Elisabeth Shue.
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10.28.21 BACKSTAGE
