Check out our interview with talented “A Loud House Christmas” and “The Really Loud House” actress Catherine Bradley.
Catherine’s other credits include Showtime’s City on a Hill and Lily Potter Jr. in the Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. She is also a trained dancer while not on stage or camera.
Follow Catherine on IG @catherinebradley_ & TikTok @catherinebradleyy
Hi Catherine, please tell us a little about you?
I am 15 years old and a little bit of a social butterfly. I am your typical teenager, going to high-school as a freshman. Family is very important to me, and I have a big one — an older brother and two little sisters. I am also pursuing my life-long dream of being an actress.
Describe yourself in 3 words?
optimistic, funny, and dedicated
How did you get started into acting?
Through dance . . . I started dancing around two years old. I found that I loved telling stories through dance. My mom encouraged me to try theatre where I could dance, sing and act. My mom took me to an open call audition in New York when I was 9 for the National Broadway Tour of A Christmas Story the Musical. It was the scariest thing ever with hundreds of kids auditioning. My mom told me to get my tap shoes on and go for it and that the worst thing that could happen would be that I had a great experience trying something new! She said, if you don’t try, it definitely won’t happen. Two months later I began rehearsing for the show!!!
How has this changed your life?
It’s been unbelievable the experiences I have had, and the amazing people I have worked with, and friends I have made because of acting. Being able to do something that you LOVE is such a gift. I think acting has also made me more resilient and able to better cope with the ups and downs of life.
What is the best and worst part of being an actress?
The best part is performing and literally losing myself in the character. The worst part is the time away from regular teenager stuff like high school, friends and family. It’s like I literally want to be in two places at the same time.
How do you prepare for a role?
Whenever I get an audition or book an actual role, I read about the role and try to find something within myself that identifies with this role. Every role is a real human being and I figure out who that is and what makes them tick! I then find that connection with me and just go for it! I do not question my decisions but do what feels right.
Tell us about your work on Nick’s “THE REALLY LOUD HOUSE?”
This is the most fun I have had on set and playing a character. I bring to life from the cartoon, the comedian Luan Loud. and her alter-ego puppet. Mr. Coconuts. Luan is a fun-loving, silly and sometimes goofy teenager around 15 years old. Luan is a comedian extraordinaire, the ultimate prankster, a master of disguises, a ventriloquist, and a total theatre geek. My goal with Luan was to be true to the cartoon, but also make Luan more human and relatable to audiences. Over the course of Season 1, audiences will begin to see some of her vulnerabilities and how she is on her way to finding her confidence and believing in herself. But, they are also in for some newer sides of Luan. There may be a few scenes in a few episodes where they don’t recognize her at first (MAJOR SPOILER ALERT!). Also – the challenge of having a puppet . .. I was not a ventriloquist and literally learned how to use him on set on my first few takes. I learned that the puppet has to literally always be alive in every scene, reacting and participating just like Luan. Mr. Coconuts is like a real person to me now. It is a huge challenge and a lot of fun to play two characters at once.
And about Showtime’s “City on a Hill?”
I loved being part of that project which literally has some of the most talented actors, directors and producers in the industry. It was really an honor to be part of it in the final season! The director was incredible to work with, and I got to play Julietta Caysen, actor Matt Del Negro’s teenage daughter. That role was a more dramatic and natural performance, portraying a young teenage girl working through the separation of her mom and dad and trying to find a way to bring them back together. I also had to quickly learn a slight Boston accent. Working with Matt Del Negro was a dream. He is exceptionally talented, so supporting and working with him just felt so natural! My sister, Alex Bradley, was actually in the season before! If you haven’t seen the series, I highly recommend it.
What other projects you have been part of?
I started my career career in theatre and have played some incredible leading child roles across the country like Annie in “Annie the Musical,” Mary Lennox in “The Secret Garden,” and Small Alison in “Fun Home.” But the highlight was playing Lily Potter Jr. in Harry Potter & The Cursed Child on Broadway. Performing on Broadway was one of the most incredible and special experiences in my life and then to perform as Harry Potter’s daughter was just epic! I will never forget the butterflies I felt as I walked onto a stage live and performed in front of thousands of people. There is honestly no feeling like this in the world. I have also been fortunate to work on several tv projects such as Happy!, Law and Order SVU, City on A Hill and several independent films!
What kind of roles do you like or would like to play and why?
I love drama. Even when I was really little, I have been able to go to sad places in and and portray pain and disappointment. I can literally cry on demand as I can connect with those feeling very quickly when I need to. But I have to say, I think I was born to do comedy. I have done a lot of drama on film, but really wanted the opportunity to do comedy. I am naturally very expressive and pretty silly. I have learned through my role as Luan that comedy is actually harder – you have to get the timing right and really own these comedic situations – they have to feel real to be funny! You cannot act funny, you have to be funny! I would also love to do a horror movie or play a super-hero.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
Just being able to do something that I love. Also, I have incredible fans that are so supportive of me and my career. I have found through playing Luan that I have really inspired others. By bringing to life a character who is confident in being who she is even if she is “different” and quirky, it shows that it is okay to just be you. The feedback from fans on how Luan makes them happy, and has touched their hearts feels great.
What’s your advice for the newer actors?
Be kind, humble, BELIEVE it will happen, and BE YOU! Believe that your dreams will happen! I think it is important for performers to never try and be someone that they are not. You have to be yourself and not change for anyone. You literally do hundreds of auditions and many times you get no feedback at all. You can begin to question, is all this effort and time worth it? I am a positive person and an optimist so you have to believe that your dreams will happen. I really believe that if you work hard and keep trying that anything is possible. You can make your dreams a reality, I also find that humor in this business goes a long way – we all need more laughter in the world.
Do you and your sister Aubin share any tips or give any advice in projects or acting?
Aubin and I are very close and we have both learned a lot from each other. Occasionally, we will help each other out with an audition and especially with schoolwork on set! Aubin’s is just a natural. When she gets a script, she never over prepares. She just does what comes natural and that really works for her!
What would say are the greatest lessons you learned so far in this business?
Never give up! I am so grateful for the opportunities I have had to work professionally, but I have had more disappointments – like getting to a final producer session and then a “no” – than I can remember, but I never quit. It’s hard because as an actor you put yourself out there every day and let people see and feel your vulnerabilities, and many times do not get any feedback. But just know that this is just part of the process and you can’t take it personally And most of the time in acting, things are out of your control. What is in your control is staying positive and not giving up.
How would your best friend describe you?
super funny, highly energetic, and fiercely loyal
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
Double Agent Cat – This would be a perfect title to represent my life as although I live at home like a normal teenager, I also live in a completely different world when I am on set chasing my dreams. It is like I am living two separate lives at the same time.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Don’t be so hard on yourself. It is okay to make mistakes. Keep believing in yourself! Since I remember, I have always wanted to do my best and have always put a lot of pressure on myself. I can be hard on myself when I feel I am not living up to my expectations. I have learned that sometimes I need to lower my expectations of myself and be kinder to me.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
My sisters and I loved reading the Rebel Girls books growing up. They are so inspirational and tell stories of young girls making change and believing in themselves. My mom, my sisters, Alex and Aubin, and I just wrote a piece for Rebel Girls new book and we hope everyone loves it. I also highly recommend a book called The Power of Positive Thinking. It talks about really believing in yourself and developing the power within yourself to achieve your dreams and of course, being kind to yourself!
What’s next for Catherine Bradley in 2023?
I have an upcoming movie that will begin filming late February and have a few other projects that I am working on that I should be able to announce hopefully very soon! I am also a singer and have some stuff in the works there as well. And of course, there is more coming with the Loud House and Nickelodeon. I post on social medial regularly about my upcoming projects so fans can find updates on Instagram at @catherinebradley_ and on TikTok at @catherinebradleyy
What is your favorite healthy food?
Any type of salad.
And your favorite cheat food?
Chick-Fil-A chicken nuggets and fries
What is your own definition of happiness?
Summer, sunrise at the beach, my best-friends, and sushi
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would want to meet Audrey Hepburn. She is an absolute role model of mine. I would love to one day to be able to emulate her grace.
Best advice ever given?
Trust yourself and your instincts.
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I will return to Broadway one day as I love live performances and being able to connect with audiences real time. I will continue my TV/Film career and hope to be able to star in a horror movie, and a dramatic series and movie. I also would be honored to win an Emmy or Academy Award one day. Last but not least, I want to do a stint on Saturday Night Live!!!!
Favorite song? Why?
Pursuit of Happiness is currently my favorite song. It reminds me of the summertime and happiness.
What do you think of Social Media?
Social media is a huge part of most people’s lives. It is a great way to connect with friends, fans, and family and share. I just think you have to be careful, because it is also artificial. It’s especially hard for young women because there is so much pressure for girls to be “beautiful” and to focus on their physical self. You just have to stay grounded and keep everything in perspective, which can be hard because we are all human and just want to loved and be accepted.
Where we can follow you?
On Instagram at @catherinebradley_ and on TikTok at @catherinebradleyy
Book: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Quote: “As long as you believe in yourself, it doesn’t matter if anyone else does. It only takes one start to light up the darkness. Be your own star. Be your own light.”
Movie: La La Land or The Conjuring
Tv Series: Gossip Girl (OG)
Favorite Food: Sushi
Travel Destination: Venice, Italy and the Greek Islands (dying to go there!)
Sports Team: The Dallas Cowboys (you can blame my mom for that) and the NY Jets (you can blame my older brother for that one)
