Rising Star Cree Of ‘Turtles All the Way Down’ On The Five Things You Need To Shine In the Entertainment Industry
…And the last thing I will say is, always be kind to everyone. That’s just life, but especially on a set when tensions can get high. People are stressed out, people are yelling at each other. It’s a stressful job sometimes, but be kind to everyone. And if you want to know the actual state of a set, like the actual energy people are experiencing, ask your PAs because they see everything and know what’s actually going on. I do that sometimes when I get to a set, I’ll ask the PAs I’m working with most intimately throughout the day, “How’s this going? How’s the production going? How are you guys feeling? What is the energy?” to get a real sense, because everyone will usually be super nice and shiny to the actors on set. But if you want to know the actual situation and how things are really going, ask your PAs because they work really hard, are there before and after everyone, and see everything…
I had the pleasure to talk with Cree. Cree, a native of Queens, New York, has swiftly risen as a distinguished talent in the world of acting, acclaimed for her versatile performances across comedy and drama. Cree’s acting journey commenced in childhood, sparked by an incidental acting class at age 11, which shifted her from dance — a passion since age 4 — to the dramatic arts. Her talent was soon recognized, leading to her first major role as Babe in the Nickelodeon series “Game Shakers” when she was just 13 years old. This role not only marked her entry into the entertainment industry but also established her as a rising star with a knack for handling dynamic characters. The show was a critical part of her early career, running for three successful seasons from 2015 to 2019.
Following her initial success, Cree continued to evolve her portfolio with significant roles, including Marisol Fuentes in the Netflix series “Mr. Iglesias” and as Mim in the Netflix film “The Sleepover.” Her performance in “Mr. Iglesias” earned her nominations for the Best Young Actor — Television at the Imagen Foundation Awards in 2017 and 2018, recognizing her talent in portraying nuanced characters.
In addition to her television and film roles, Cree has been part of compelling new projects. She recently played Luisa Torres in the HBO Max reboot of “Sex and the City,” titled “And Just Like That…”, where she starred alongside established stars such as Sarah Jessica Parker. Cicchino’s capacity to adapt to various genres is evident from her role in the drama series “Big Sky” on ABC.
2024 sees Cree expanding her horizons with the film adaptation of John Green’s “Turtles All the Way Down,” set to premiere on Max. In this film, she plays Daisy, the vibrant and supportive best friend of the protagonist, Aza Holmes, portrayed by Isabela Merced. The role showcases her ability to bring depth and warmth to her characters, making significant impacts in stories that resonate with contemporary audiences.
Off-screen, Cree is deeply involved in advocacy, focusing on social justice, food allergy awareness, and animal rescue. Using her platform, she engages her followers in meaningful causes, driving attention and support to various non-profits around Los Angeles, where she now resides.
As Cree continues to build her career, her early start, coupled with her broad acting range and commitment to social causes, marks her as an actress poised for enduring success and influence in the entertainment industry.
It’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share this story of your childhood and how you grew up?
I was born and raised in Queens, New York. I have a twin sister, Jace, and my mom raised us. We spent a lot of our childhood living with my grandparents in Queens, New York. My sister and I loved to dance growing up — it was like our sport. We were encouraged to try acting when someone at the studio suggested it, thinking we’d have fun. I had some spare time one day while my sister was in class, so I decided to take an acting class just for fun. I had no aspirations to be an actor at all — I was just a kid in public school in New York with no family in the industry. But I ended up having a lot of fun with it. The class had a little showcase after a few months, which my mom and I didn’t know was for agents and managers. That’s how I got my first agent and manager. They asked if I wanted to start auditioning for projects, which I thought would be fun. Eight months into auditioning, I booked my first job on Nickelodeon, which brought me out to L.A., and I’ve been out here working ever since.
So you probably have some amazing stories or anecdotes about life on set or life in the show. Can you share with the readers one or two of your favorite stories?
Working as a young person on set can be strange, but I have a really great mom who had a good outlook on everything. Since I didn’t always want to be an actor and it all started by accident, there was no pressure to perform perfectly. In fact, it was the opposite — my mom would often say, “I’ll take you back to Queens right now if this stops bringing you joy or if it gets too hard.” The industry is tough on adults and even tougher on kids.
One of my favorite stories is from when I was on a show that was in production at the same time as another show on the same lot. We shared crews, school rooms, and dressing rooms, which made it a fun experience to hang out with both casts. We’ve all stayed in contact over the years, and I became particularly close with Rielle Downs from the show “Henry Danger.” We’re still really close to this day, and I feel lucky to have had that experience.
I have a lot of nice memories with Rielle, like doing normal kid stuff together despite being in the big industry. One specific memory that stands out is when we were in different grades but had the same math program at the same time. We would come in on Saturdays with our generous studio teacher, Ali, who I still keep in touch with. We’d do hours of math homework together, trying to catch up since we’d fallen behind, and then eat lunch together. It was a sweet, normal experience, like a free day but with schoolwork. Those were really wholesome days that we both look back on fondly.
It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you were first starting and the lesson that you learned from it?
A humorous mistake? Well, I think all actors, young or not, learn the lesson of how to take rejection and how to fall in love with a project, then quickly move on when you don’t get the job. There have been many times when I felt a strong connection to a script, especially as a kid, and it was hard not to take it personally when I didn’t get the part. It’s tough to have that rush of feelings and creatively fall in love with something, only to not get the chance to see it through.
My mom had a rule that I could sulk for a day, have my “breakup” and feel those feelings, but then I had to keep moving and not let it hold me back or alter my view of my talent or what I had to offer. The early days of auditioning were a big lesson in heartbreak, but also in not falling into the habit of never fully loving something. You have to dive in and let yourself really fall in love with a project, even if it’s just for a few hours before an audition. Then, you have to be able to let it go and move on if it doesn’t happen.
We love hearing stories where somebody who’s a little further ahead opens a door, creates an opportunity that changes someone’s career, changes someone’s life. Do you have a story like that where somebody went out of their way to create an opportunity for you or to help you that impacted you?
Yes, I do! I want to talk about Gloria Calderon Collette, an incredibly successful showrunner, writer, and actor who has had an amazing run in the industry. I met her when she directed an episode of the Netflix sitcom “Mr. Iglesias” I was working on. I was already a fan of her work on “One Day at a Time,” another Netflix show she ran.
Since meeting her, she’s taken me under her wing, been incredibly supportive, and helpful. She’s done a lot to help me out over the years, from offering advice on the industry and my place in it to supporting me through moments of panic and self-doubt. Recently, I was in discussions to work on an indie film called “Twin List,” directed by James Sweeney, and he told me he had been in touch with Gloria, seeking her opinion on whether I’d be a good fit for the project. She totally helped me get that job! She’s been supportive like that in many ways over the years. It’s a great example of how much it can mean to have someone who’s further along in their career, another creative, another woman, another Latina in the industry, be loving, supporting, and generous, like she has been with me.
So Cree, you have an impressive body of work. Can you share with the readers some of the exciting projects you’re working on and what you will be working on or releasing in the near future?
I already mentioned it, but the last thing I worked on was an indie film called Twin List, directed by James Sweeney and starring Dylan O’Brien. I fell in love with the script, and although I was only there for a few days, I had a great time. I’m excited for it to come out whenever it does, as everyone there was lovely and I really loved the story. This spring, my focus is on the movie “Turtles All the Way Down”, an adaptation of John Green’s novel of the same name. It’s by far the most exciting and fulfilling project I’ve ever worked on, and I’m incredibly excited for people to see it.
You mentioned Mr. Iglesias. Can you share how you are similar and how you are different from Marisol, the character you play?
I loved working on Mr. Iglesias, and it was a truly special experience. The set was one of the loveliest, most wholesome, and joyful environments I’ve ever been a part of. It was a rare and wonderful experience where everything came together, and everyone was wonderful and loved each other. We had a great time working on a comedy with amazing comics like Sherry Shepherd, Gabe, and Oscar Nunez, and we even got to work with a studio audience.
In terms of being similar to Marisol, I think we share some similarities, but our situations were different. She was a first-generation American and worked through high school to support her family, which wasn’t my experience. However, our personalities and attitudes are similar. She was a dedicated student, devoted to her teachers, and passionate about her beliefs, which is very much like me. She was eager to have conversations and make corrections when necessary, especially regarding political issues, and I can relate to that. There were times when I would speak up and suggest changes to the script to make it stronger, just like Marisol would. Our showrunner, Kevin Henson, was always supportive and helpful, and I think our outlook and energy are similar in many ways.
So you mentioned Turtles All the Way Down. Can you share with our readers what message society can take from the themes of the movie?
Well, there are many messages. Our title itself is a philosophical exercise, and the film centers on Aza’s experience with obsessive-compulsive disorder and its impact on her relationships. The movie explores big themes like romance, young love, friendship, and enduring friendship. For me, one of the main messages is that “your now is not your forever.” This means that the hard time you may be experiencing right now is not forever, but also, there isn’t always a clean happy ending or a perfect solution to the difficulties you face. If you’re dealing with something like obsessive-compulsive disorder or another mental illness, it’s a long-lasting, lifelong challenge that requires a conscious effort to manage. But that doesn’t mean it’s the end or that there’s no room for hope or joy. Even if things don’t turn out perfectly, there’s still room for both the acknowledgement of ongoing challenges and the persistence of hope, joy, and love.
So you’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Looking back to when you first started, you probably know a lot more now than you did then. You learned a lot from your experience. Can you share a few lessons that you learned from your experience that you didn’t know when you first started?
The first one I’ll say is, you’ll have your heart broken 100 times a year. Not something to despair over, but it will happen. If you are letting yourself love the scripts you read as much as you want to, you’ll have your heart broken 100 times a year. Being able to do the job is the win. That’s the success.
Watch great movies and great television. Just watch a lot of stuff. I spend so much of my time watching really good stuff. Don’t worry about the value system of what constitutes what’s good and what’s bad. If you’re enjoying it, if it’s evoking emotion, that is a good project. It’s art. It’s meant to make people feel things and laugh and cry, and maybe walk through life with a slightly different perspective on things. That’s for any industry, right? Just observe, read, write and listen.
Comparison is pointless. That’s a huge one. It’s inevitable. You will compare yourself to the young actors around you, especially as a younger actor. We all sort of get placed pretty quickly into our boxes and categories and types of characters. You tend to go into rooms and see the same actors a lot going up for the same parts. Comparison does nothing productive for you. The industry at certain points will put you into what your category is and what your type is, but try to remember that that’s not the truth of your actual depth and nuance and range as a human person.
And the last thing I will say is, always be kind to everyone. That’s just life, but especially on a set when tensions can get high. People are stressed out, people are yelling at each other. It’s a stressful job sometimes, but be kind to everyone. And if you want to know the actual state of a set, like the actual energy people are experiencing, ask your PAs because they see everything and know what’s actually going on. I do that sometimes when I get to a set, I’ll ask the PAs I’m working with most intimately throughout the day, “How’s this going? How’s the production going? How are you guys feeling? What is the energy?” to get a real sense, because everyone will usually be super nice and shiny to the actors on set. But if you want to know the actual situation and how things are really going, ask your PAs because they work really hard, are there before and after everyone, and see everything.
Can you share a few things that you do, one of the self-care routines that you do to help your body, mind and heart to thrive?
Honestly for me, having some time during the day or week, if it’s a busier week, where I am just alone and by myself is really helpful. I love being on set, it’s such a social job. There’s a million people around you. And aside from when you’re in your scenes, inhabiting a character, there are so many people around. You’re talking to people and interacting with a million departments all day. It is a job where it’s important to have an hour or two, if possible, when I get home to not talk to anyone and decompress, be with your thoughts, dig back to your body. I get the 22-year-old FOMO of “these are my years, I need to be out.” But it’s been a lesson to learn that some nights you gotta leave yourself alone and stay cozy, hang out with your dogs, decompress, and be by yourself. For me, it’s a real recharge.
That’s a good answer. We’re almost done. This is our aspirational question. Because of the platform you’ve created and your great work, you’re a person of enormous influence, and people take your words very seriously. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?
I think something like focusing on social media specifically. I’ve really had an adjustment with my relationship to social media and how I use my platform and the things I choose to speak about in the last five years. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that there are a lot of very qualified, dedicated people already leading movements that we should all be listening to and looking to. If I can use my platform for anything, it would be to direct that attention to the people already doing the work well and in a more qualified way than me. I don’t see myself as the leader of any particular movement, nor could I be. Those people already exist and are doing amazing work. If I am lucky enough to have any influence, I would want to direct people to them because the leaders are already here and are being clear about how we can be part of positive change.
So any particular ideas you want to put out there into the zeitgeist, even if you want to direct people to other leaders?
I mean, these are difficult times, but there’s beauty in how many conversations are happening, especially in the United States. There’s progress but also disappointing, scary, upsetting things. A lot of people in my generation are concerned about the state of the planet, the environment, and how we prioritize it. The way women and LGBTQIA+ people are treated in this country and worldwide is a huge concern. I’m a proud feminist and ally to the community, and in the industry, how our BIPOC actors and people are and have been treated. I’m passionate about the movement for Black liberation and equality and equity.
I’ve had the privilege to learn from amazing teachers. Monique Melton has been an incredible teacher — she’s @moemotivate on Instagram and runs the Shine Brighter Together School. I first found her work through Black liberation, and it’s been transformative. Blair Imani does the “Smarter in Seconds” series introducing topics. Schuyler Bailar, @pinkmantaray on Instagram, is a trans advocate and educator. Leaders, educators with experiences in the field they’re talking about, generous enough to share and be teachers — I’m grateful to them. It would be a privilege to ever have enough influence to direct people to their work.
So how can the readers continue to follow your work online? How could they watch any of the movies you’re in or the television shows you’re in? How can they support you in a way that supports your work?
Please watch “Turtles All the Way Down” now streaming on MAX. It’s an incredibly important film, but also an incredibly beautiful, joyful, romantic, passionate story — all the magic of a YA coming-of-age story we all love. Our director Hannah Marks captured it so beautifully, and John Green was super generous to let us make this movie. So yes, please watch “Turtles All the Way Down.”
If you want to follow me on social media, I’m @itscree on Instagram.
Cree, it’s been a delight to talk to you and meet you. I wish you continued success and only blessings and hope we can do this again next year.
Thank you, I appreciate that.
Rising Star Cree Of ‘Turtles All the Way Down’ On The Five Things You Need To Shine In the… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.