Cree on belonging and community

For Cree, growing up in the spotlight has been nothing short of a “journey.” As a young actor appearing on shows like Game Shakers and Henry Danger, she developed a deep appreciation for film and television. “That is where a lot of my love for acting comes from. Just loving movies and loving stories — good stories.”

Now 22, she’s just entered a new phase of her professional life, learning about the pressures of the industry and strengthening her understanding of solidarity throughout the years. Following the success of Turtles All the Way Down, Cree reflects on being part of a project so personally validating to her — one that also symbolizes her own coming-of-age story. “I’ve been pining after the script for many years. I read the book before my first audition and fell in love with it.” 

Dress NADINE MERABI, shoes KENNETH COLE.

In the last year, Cree starred alongside Isabela Merced and Felix Mallard in the film adaptation of John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down. The young adult novel follows the spiraling narrative of a teenager (Merced) navigating love and life amidst a diagnosis of obsessive compulsive disorder. 

“It was a beautiful experience that I will treasure forever, and I imagine Daisy will always be one of the most beloved characters that I’ve played,” she says. “We really enjoyed working with each other and had a lot of fun every day.” The positivity set forth by director Hannah Marks built an ideal working environment of faith and trust, cultivating strong relationships between the cast and crew. 

Prior to shooting Turtles, Cree characterized herself as reserved and introverted, even mildly antisocial. Tasked with cracking jokes and extracting humor from an otherwise heavy script, it was Daisy’s outgoing persona that helped Cree break out of her shell. “Daisy’s sparkly, pink-haired energy woke up a loving and adventurous part of me that hadn’t been active in a while.”

Green’s involvement as an executive producer allowed Cree to effectively honor her role as Daisy, attuning her performance to his original work. She intended to do the character justice and defy the typical best friend trope, portraying Daisy’s complexity as three-dimensionally as Green had written. “I wanted to walk the line that John and Hannah and our screenwriters wrote so beautifully,” she says. “All of us on set recognized how strong the book reader fanbase was and how much it really meant to people. It immediately meant so much to us as we had all read the book.” 

Working alongside Merced, her friend and longtime partner in the industry, allowed for an even more enjoyable experience on set. “It was really special to go into a project playing a best friend to someone where there is already a level of history and comfort,” she reflects. “We were on children’s television together at the same time. We’ve spent many years at the same parties and the same dinner tables. This was our chance to really develop our own dynamic one-on-one and get to know each other on a more personal level.”

Cree holds the values and messages behind the project close to her heart. A central theme of Turtles is mental health, something she’s always valued growing up. “In my family, with my mom in particular, we’ve always had really open, honest conversations about mental health,” Cree shares. “It’s definitely been a big aspect of my coming of age and my growing up, and it was an honor to be part of media that discusses it in the way Turtles does.”

Cree praises screenwriters Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker for handling the delicate topic of mental health with care — ultimately producing an honest portrayal of mental health in teens. “We thought of the book and the film as part of a broader conversation on mental health,” Cree says. “It was so important to us that a huge part of that conversation was the very uncomfortable aspect of how one’s struggle with mental health affects the people around them.”

Dress BETSEY JOHNSON.

In portraying the characters she has so far, Cree seeks to grow from each of the roles she’s taken on. “The experiences are so singular and unique that you can’t help but take pieces of them with you,” she adds. “I’ve always felt that the characters I’ve played are aspects of myself and my personality, rather than different people whose shoes I step into. I adjust the dial up and down here and there, depending on the script and the character.”

Cree speaks of the many “incredible opportunities” she’s had, acknowledging the grace and patience the Latine community have extended to her with open arms. “My identity as an actor has been shaped by my Latina and Ecuadorian heritage. I’ve played a lot of amazing Latina characters, and I have been really welcomed and supported and lifted up by Latine actors,” Cree expresses.

However, she also recognizes what her place in the industry looks like, as someone who isn’t fully Latina. Growing up, Cree explains that she didn’t speak the language or engage with the culture as much as she would’ve liked. As she enters adulthood, Cree has made efforts to respect her heritage and create a space for others to have a seat at the table. 

“I’m learning Spanish right now and connecting with my roots in that way,” Cree says. “I try to be very careful and conscious about the Latina characters that I play. I spend a lot of time deliberating what’s appropriate for me. I never want to take up space where I don’t belong, or take an opportunity from somebody else who would be a more authentic or appropriate choice for a role.”

Cree is grateful for the guidance she’s received from her mother — who has been a steady hand for her throughout her career. “I never felt as a child that I had to be working, or that this is what I had to do with my life,” she says, sharing how her mother’s words helped ground her early on. Her mother would often tell her, “We’ll go back to Queens right now,” easing any stress and reminding Cree of her support. 

“As a kid, having the freedom to feel like it was an extracurricular helped me develop a natural, organic love for acting,” Cree says. It was her family’s reassurance that helped Cree develop into the person she is today. She’s grateful to have had the space to evolve into someone who truly adores the art of acting — the process, the journey, and the message of her work. “The industry is rough, and it can be very difficult at times, but I feel very, very lucky.”

Photography EXAVIER CASTRO

Fashion CHRISTINA CORSO

Hair SAMM CASTRO

Makeup CHRISTOPHER MILES using BEAUTYSTAT and DANESSA MYRICKS

Words CALEB STINE

Interview ALYSSA STORY

Layout JUNG YOUN KIM

Copy ANDERS LJUNG

Photo Assistant GILBERTO ORTIZ

Special thanks to PERSONA PR

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