Check out our interview with talented actress Shifra Zuckerman who can be seen as Lucy Cunningham in “Her Deadly Night in Paris” premiering on the Lifetime Network.
When ‘Lucy Cunningham’ travels to Paris on a student exchange program, she has no idea what danger lies ahead for her. She soon runs into ‘Antoine,’ the son of the family hosting her while she’s in Paris for her academic pursuits, who is both charming and good looking. But his father ‘Remy Vernier’ is less than friendly, especially to Antoine – and his mother barely supports her son for fear of upsetting Remy. It’s not exactly a warm environment and let’s just say, the city itself lends itself to intrigue, romance, adventure and an unlikely ending.
Zuckerman is best known from the HBO Max series “Sex Lives of College Girls,” NY-adjacent Shifra (who is also midway through her specialized Master’s degree at USC)
Follow Shifra @shifrazuckerman
Hi Shifra, please tell us a little about you?
Hi! I am a 23 year old actress from New Jersey. I have been pursuing an acting career for 12 years. I grew up with my mom, dad, younger brother, and my Maltipoo. When I am not acting, I enjoy staying active, learning about nutrition, and spending time with my friends and family.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
I would say that I am passionate, loving, and free-spirited.
How did you get started into acting?
As my parents like to say, I have been an actress since I was a toddler. I would sit in front of the television watching films and would repeat the lines the actors would say out loud until I had practically every line memorized. I would also often dress up as Disney princesses and whenever I had a specific princess costume on, I would only answer to that princess’ name, never Shifra. So my parents always saw something was brewing in me from a young age.
I went on to landing the leads in my elementary school plays, realizing that I really did enjoy the arts. I began acting classes and just completely fell in love with the craft. Between my eighth grade acting coach and my parents, I was constantly being encouraged to pursue acting as a career. When I was eleven, I went for my first casting call and got signed with my first agency. Within a couple of months, I booked my first gig as a background extra in The CW Network series “The Carrie Diaries”. I knew right from that set that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.
How has this changed your life?
Acting has had a drastic impact on my life in a multitude of ways. With respect to the craft itself, it has allowed me to tap into my creativity by jumping into different character’s minds and experiences. Personally, I think that is the most exciting aspect of being an actress, it is like living in a live storybook, I love it.
On the other hand, the industry itself has changed my life through allowing me to grow tough skin at a young age, which truly ended up being a blessing. It has enabled me to become strong-minded early on and be able to cope with rejection in a lighter way throughout other aspects of my life.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
That is a great question. I would say the character development and being a storyteller is the best part. Getting to connect with someone’s story and sharing it in hopes to inspire others is truly a blessing. The worst part for me is when I fall in love with characters during the audition process and not booking the job. That has happened a dozen times to me but ultimately, I believe that if a role is meant for you it will be yours.
How do you prepare for a role?
It is a lotttt of work, but I absolutely love every minute of it. I spend a great amount of time with my incredible acting coach, Shawn Nelson, by breaking down each scene, my character’s emotion, her motives, the challenges she is facing, and so much more.
Tell us about “From Paris with Danger,” and about your role as Lucy Cunningham?
“From Paris with Danger”, was actually just re-named to “Her Deadly Night in Paris”! This film really is a thriller/romance and I had an incredible time filming it. It was directed by the very talented Lane Shefter Bishop and the cast/crew was just phenomenal. It follows an eighteen-year old exchange student named Lucy Cunningham (me) who is studying in Paris and falls in love with her host family’s son. While this seems like every person’s fantasy, Lucy ends up witnessing a murder and the couple finds themselves running throughout Paris to try to prove Lucy’s innocence.
Lucy is truly a courageous woman. She is wise beyond her years and is a hopeless romantic. Bringing her to life was hands-down the best experience I have ever had.
On the other hand, filming this project in Paris was an absolute dream come true. This was my first time I had ever been to Paris and my God, it is truly what it seems. Between the beautiful views, the history, the architecture, and the food, it is definitely one of my favorite places that I hope to go back to someday.
And about your work in HBO Max series “Sex Lives of College Girls?”
“The Sex Lives of College Girls” was such a fun project. It was my first co-star role I had booked and I was really excited because I love Mindy Kailing who is one of the creators of the show. She is a comedic genius in all that she does. It was really funny because I didn’t find out until I was on set filming that I had the opening line and scene of the entire first season of the series. I had manifested for years being in a Warner Brothers’ production and I was so lucky to have achieved that, plus working with a group of very talented people.
What other projects you have been part of?
I have been really lucky to be a part of several productions, such as my first gig playing a mean girl in an Amazon Prime movie called “Ghost in the Graveyard”. I also was in some exciting short films called “You’re Invited” and “Big Deal”, as well as in a few television commercials.
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
“Her Deadly Night in Paris” showed me how much I love action so I would really enjoy playing a Superhero of some sort with a little stunt action. Another dream role would be either a period piece or being in a biopic.
If you weren’t acting, what would you be up to right now?
Actually, if I am not acting, I am currently focusing on building a career in nutrition! I have been living the Hannah Montana lifestyle for about six years now. I received a Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University and I am currently in graduate school getting a Master of Science in Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity from the University of Southern California. I am projected to become a registered dietitian in 2024.
Which fictional character would be the most exciting to meet in real life?
I am obsessed with Ross Geller (David Schwimmer) from “Friends” and Moira Rose (Catherine O’Hara) from “Schitt’s Creek”. Both of these characters make me cry of laughter.
Can you name 3 actors/actresses you would love to work with?
There are so many! I would say Margot Robbie, Anne Hathaway, and David Schwimmer.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Besides watching my characters come to life, I love seeing the final product of all the hard work, long hours, and dedication from not only myself, but from the whole production team.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
I would say to trust the process and recognize that every experience you can learn from. Trust yourself, trust your mentors, trust your craft, trust that the parts that you were meant to get you will and those that you won’t, you will learn so much from.
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
I have learned many lessons over the past 12 years. The biggest one that applies to this industry and life in general is “what is meant for you will not pass you”. That is the best advice I have ever received and has brought a sense of relief when my heart is so involved. I would become devastated when I would not book a job, until I realized that there must have been a reason I did not. Maybe it just was not good timing, or maybe something bigger is waiting. Whatever the reason is, I put my trust in the process and in God and trust that something will be meant when the right role fits. I believe that every audition and role is a learning experience, all of which will contribute to making you stronger in the long-run.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“The best of both worlds: nutrition and acting”
What’s next for Shifra Zuckerman in the last months of 2023?
With the hopes that the strikes will end shortly, I look forward to more opportunities to audition and hopefully book additional roles in the near future!
What is your favorite healthy food?
I am a health-nut, so I love many healthy foods, even the ones most people dislike. As crazy as it may sound, I love kale chips, I make them every single day. Oh and I really love super dark chocolate (88%).
And your favorite cheat food?
My favorite splurge would be homemade ice cream.
What is your own definition of happiness?
A healthy lifestyle, open heart/soul, family and friends surrounding, following your passions, with lots of love for yourself and others, and of course, laughter.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would really like to meet my great grandmother Ann. She passed away two days after I was born and although I do not remember her, I feel I know her and she is a part of my life.
Best advice ever given?
“What is meant for you will not pass you”. This has really helped me throughout my life and especially my acting career.
Do you support any charity?
The Humane Society and Feeding America. I love supporting charities that believe in stopping animal cruelty or helping improve nutrition in people’s lives.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I see myself continuing my acting career, hopefully booking more roles that are exciting and challenging, and maybe even booking a role on a television series. I have always wanted to do that.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Any Taylor Swift or Kelsea Ballerini song.
Where we can follow you?
Instagram: @shifrazuckerman
Book: Ugly Love. I am a bigggg Colleen Hoover fan and this book made me both laugh and ball my eyes out. I love a good love story and Colleen is incredible at telling them.
Quote: “What’s meant for you will not pass you”
Movie: This is such a hard one! My top two would be The Princess Diaries 2 and The Longest Ride.
Tv Series: Friends!
Favorite Food: Either homemade pasta or the dark chocolate & peanut butter combo.
Travel Destination: Bermuda
Sports Team: New York Yankees!
