ZAPPED’s Queen of Comedy: Interview with Louriza Tronco

The Disney Channel is known for launching all sorts of young stars. Miley Cyrus. Selena Gomez. Zac Efron. The Jonas Brothers. Disney is an entertainment powerhouse in every way, and there are millions of tweens tuning into their television shows, buying their music, and watching their movies. Careers and fanbases truly can be built on the Disney Channel, and for aspiring performers, landing a role on a Disney Channel product is the very definition of a dream.

A dream that, for young up and coming actress Louriza Tronco, has come true.

Credit Westley Olson

Raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Tronco has always dreamt of being a performer. At the age of eight, she landed her first professional gig in the Rainbow Stage’s production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. From there, she explored both musical theatre and film, and soon fell in love with the craft. After high school, Tronco studied acting at the Canadian College of Performing Arts in Victoria, British Columbia, splitting her time between classes and auditions.  Her first break came when she was cast in a guest appearance on The CW’s Cult in 2013. And now, there are even bigger and brighter things on Tronco’s horizon: she’s one of the stars of the much-anticipated Disney Channel original movie Zapped, premiering Friday, June 27th.

With her career poised to take off, I recently had the chance to chat with Tronco about acting, theatre school, and all things Zapped.

The Hudsucker: You’ve been acting since you were little, and it’s obviously a real passion for you. What was it about acting that made you see it as a career, rather than a hobby?

Louriza Tronco: I’ve been involved in the performing arts in some way or another since I was little. I’ve done tap, hip hop, theatre classes, improv… the list goes on. I would go to dance class at seven in the morning and then start school at nine, and [once school was done at] three-thirty, I’d maybe have an acting or singing class afterwards. Performing has always been a huge part of my life, but when it was time to start thinking about post-secondary schooling, I did have my doubts. I had applications for massage therapy and cosmetic schools on my desk, but I’m so thankful I didn’t send those out!

The Hudsucker: Is your family supportive of your decision to pursue acting?

Tronco: My parents are my biggest fans. They were the ones who drove me from lesson to lesson, and they were always positive. They were front row and centre for my competitions. My brothers, RJ and Eman, are the first people I call or text when I’m feeling down about an audition or am just feeling really discouraged in general. They remind me that there are so many other career choices out there that are just as competitive, and that I just have to keep going. My family definitely inspires me.

The Hudsucker: What was the most important lesson you learned at the Canadian College of Performing Arts?

Tronco: CCPA taught me so many valuable things as an actor and an artist. One of the biggest things they taught me, that I believe is really unique in an institute, is time management. In college, I was literally at school six days a week for twelve hours every day—sometimes even a couple hours more. It taught me to value my time and use it wisely. I was so busy with school all the time that now, when I have a bit of down time, I sometimes don’t know what to do with it!

Credit Westley Olson

The Hudsucker: Zapped is your first movie role. Where were you when you found out you were cast? How did you feel?

Tronco: I was on my way out to lunch and my agent called me with the news. I didn’t say anything, and I wasn’t screaming, but I was definitely jumping up and down! People nearby started giving me funny looks, but I just couldn’t help but smile!

The Hudsucker: What can you tell us about Zapped? What’s your character like?

Tronco: Zapped is a comedy about a phone app that controls boys. The story revolves around the use of the app by a girl named Zoey Stevens (played by Zendaya Coleman) and the crazy mishaps the app causes. I play Yuki, the antagonist’s partner in crime. Yuki isn’t the brightest character, but she tries very hard. She’s super positive and very loyal. She likes to have her say in things, even when people aren’t paying that much attention to her. She was so fun to play, and I love that I got to make people laugh!

The Hudsucker: What was it like working with Zendaya Coleman and the rest of the cast?

Tronco: Zendaya is very down to earth and such a fun gal to work with. The cast worked hard, but we also had a lot of laughs during the process. My favourite thing about working with this cast is that it was a cast of performers—both actors and dancers. It just automatically brings this high energy, and we all had an awesome bond.

The Hudsucker: Do you have any funny stories to share from the set of Zapped?

Tronco: The first day of filming, Emilia McCarthy (who plays Taylor Dean) and I had a scene together. We were just rehearsing it for awhile, and I guess I was so into it that I didn’t hear our director call action. At one point, I turned to my left, and there was a camera pointed right at me, getting closer and closer! I didn’t know what to do, and I wasn’t sure if they wanted me to stay there, or what! So I just ran off camera. They kept rolling, so I guess I did okay!

The Hudsucker: What are Disney Channel fans going to love about Zapped? Why should they tune in?

Tronco: Zapped is definitely a movie the whole family would love watching together. It’s hilarious, but the story also deals with a lot of important and relatable lessons. The movie has dancing, music, this amazing app, and best of all: dogs!

The Hudsucker: What other projects do you have coming up this year?

Tronco: This December, Night at the Museum 3: Secret of the Tomb is coming out in theatres, which I’m very excited for! I’m also in Lifetime’s TV movie My Life as a Dead Girl and Hallmark’s My Boyfriend’s Dogs, which are both coming out this year. I’ve been busy! These characters are all super different, and I’m very grateful that I got to explore all of them.

The Hudsucker: You’re still so young, and just at the beginning stages of your career and the rest of your life. What other goals do you have for the future?

Tronco: My dream role for the stage is Anita from West Side Story. I write, so I’d love to put out my own film or play at some point. I also hope to finally have a dog of my own in a couple years or so. I’m thinking a French Bulldog!

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Zapped premieres Friday, June 27th at 8:00pm ET on the Disney Channel. 

To keep up with Louriza Tronco’s upcoming projects, follow her on Twitter at @LourizaTronco.