Talking Authenticity & The Acting Industry With Elizabeth Grullón

Meet Elizabeth Grullón - a true self-made actress, a first-generation American raised by her Dominican parents in Queens, New York. Thanks to her parents' support of her love for the arts she has always known which way to throw her ambition. She got her B.F.A in acting and found herself on many familiar TV shows. Her most recent successes include a guest role in Grey’s Anatomy, her new role as “Sully” in “Party Of Five”, and her body capture work on the new “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” as central antagonist Trilla Suduri.

What made us fall in love with Elizabeth wasn’t her on-screen time however, it was who she is as a person. Elizabeth is truly passionate about the well-being of the plant and the people living on it. She works to push climate change legislation and protection and has joined forces with her mom to help children of undocumented families to gain basic resources and medical treatment. She teaches meditation and mindfulness in LA after an intensive course at UCLA.

This practice of self-care has helped her find authenticity in herself. The power woman lives life boldly from silent retreats, salsa dancing, travel, poetry, and so much more. She shows just how dynamic one soul can find themselves to be if they allow it. 

What does authenticity mean to you?

For me, authenticity starts with a sense of curiosity and care about who and how you are. And that actually takes a little bit of work, creating a habit of turning inward and checking in, caring for what’s there. Authenticity means showing up for yourself, showing up as yourself and deeply knowing that you belong. 

What does beauty mean to you?

I think of beauty as a very natural thing. It’s everywhere; those moments when energy aligns and you sense something pure. As for people, I think beauty has to do with the quality of thoughts a person has.

What are your views on diversity in TV?

Diversity is also a natural thing. It’s everywhere in nature - diverse species, colors, environments, needs, experiences etc. So if we are creating television without diversity, as we’ve been doing until recently, then that becomes a choice. Because people from different backgrounds, races, abilities, sexualities are everywhere and the question becomes, “why are some of us not invited?”

Best and hardest part of your job?

The best part of my job is working with other professionals who bring out the best in me. For example, Tom Keegan, the performance director on Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and Allison Liddi Brown who directed me on Grey’s Anatomy each had such a profound respect and love for the craft and the actors that it put me at ease. That’s a great feeling; being inspired by others’ inspiration.

The hardest part for me is probably doing my job when I’m not at all at ease. Acting is about standing naked in the unknown and that can be really scary. For me it’s about learning how to relate to that fear as skillfully as possible. Mindfulness helps.

Favorite book?

There are so many! A stand out is “The Untethered Soul” by Michael Singer. That book really helped expand my consciousness at the time in my life when I read it.

How do you get into character - what's your process/ technique?  

My process changes with each character, project, genre, team and where I’m at personally. There are basic things that I always do like think about their history, what they’re fighting for and get the words into my body.

What was it like being on Grey’s Anatomy?

It was a dream come true! I had been auditioning for the show for years and finally, the right role came along. I play Abigail Hayes, wife of Dr. Hayes played by Richard Flood. We go through a lot together in the episode; it was an emotional journey so having people like Richard Flood as well as our director Allison Liddi Brown was a gift. I could not have felt more comfortable on set.

Do you have any thoughts or interesting perspectives on portraying an activist in your role as Sully on “Party of Five” running on Freeform? 

I really admire Thich Nhat Hanh and Martin Luther King Jr. - two activists who led with compassion when having compassion seemed impossible. I wanted to create a woman with a deep sense of love guiding her rather than anger or outrage. I think that’s what we need more of.

How was doing motion capture on “Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order” as Trilla Suduri different from TV acting? Where there similarities? 

They are VERY different! When it’s TV you have everything there in the room to create the environment - there’s a simplicity to that. Generally, TV and film also have a sense of physical stillness to them. Whereas in mo-cap you’re wearing a spandex suit and a head-mounted camera standing in the middle of an empty room. So it’s a lot more imagination-based than physical. 

How do you practice self-care?

I sit in daily meditation to give myself a few minutes to simply be, to sit with the body and feel the breath and offer myself some kindness. I like to end my sits by expressing gratitude for some things, big or small.

Passions outside of acting?

I love to cook, write, travel, and read. I recently directed my first film which was such an expanding experience. I am also passionate about protecting the planet from human greed and climate change.

What’s next?

Coronavirus has certainly changed things for all of us. I’m praying for our collective healing and the well-being of each and every one of us.

Talent: Elizabeth Grullón @elizabethagrullon

Photo: Ashley Nguyen @imashnguyen