DISCLAIMER:
The following output was transcribed from our audio recording.
Although the transcription is largely accurate, it may be incomplete or inaccurate due to inaudible passages or transcription errors.
It is posted to aid in understanding the interview but should not be treated as an authoritative record.
Mindy Cohn 00:00
Well hi there and welcome to another episode of Monday's with Mindy still coming to you safe at home with my co host and co Producer Christian Brescia.
Christian Brescia 00:08
Hi everybody. Welcome back!
Mindy Cohn 00:09
Today we get together with my co-star of the feature A Nice Girl Like You coming out July 17 Miss Jackie Cruz. She is a Dominican American actress, singer and former model best known for her role as Flaca. On the Netflix show Orange is the New Black along with our feature that's coming out on the 17th. As I said she currently stars in a recurring role on NBC good girls. Jackie grew up between Los Angeles and Santiago in the Dominican Republic raised by a single mom. Her love of music came early and she was a member of Hamilton school Music Academy here in Los Angeles. Wow. She decided to move out at 17 she actually became homeless for a while and a victim of a terrible car accident Christian at the same age. She suffered a collapsed lung falling into a coma requiring brain surgery.
Christian Brescia 00:58
Wow.
Mindy Cohn 00:59
I know!
Christian Brescia 01:00
Wow!
Mindy Cohn 01:00
This girl's been through it. In fact her song sweet 16 is actually based on the accident. Her songwriting and singing has always been, you know, front stage and two of my all time favorites are her la otra loca which I first heard while we were shooting and the video shoot soon followed after I wrap the video is outstanding, which she also produced and her poignant Melih 16 that was inspired by her accident and the depression that followed. She's always said that music is her first love, but not to get it twisted, Christian, this girl is such a wonderful actress. She's added activism and producing to her passions, but music is still the the she does every single day and continues to put out the most incredible songs and videos. Check her out on her Instagram where she has Oh, a mere 1.6 million followers. Let's get it started with the force of nature. That is Jackie Cruz.
Christian Brescia 01:51
Ladies and gentlemen, it is our pleasure to welcome Ms. Jackie Cruz.
Jackie Cruz 01:57
Hiiiii!
Mindy Cohn 01:58
With Priscilla!
Jackie Cruz 02:00
With my baby Priscilla! I am so excited to be here on Mondays with Mindy!
Christian Brescia 02:07
Thank you for joining us!
Mindy Cohn 02:08
Thanks Jacks. So listen, we start each episode Christian I came up with 20 questions in our beautiful Jonathan Adler secret canister just to get the party started. Get us rolling,
Christian Brescia 02:19
Get some random questions to get to know you.
Mindy Cohn 02:22
Exactly. Okay, what's the best advice you've been given? And who gave it?
Jackie Cruz 02:27
You know what? I have to say my publicist. Yeah, yeah, she we were talking about like, our dreams and like, I was like, I'm just always so worried about running out of time to live all my dreams. And it kind of became my cool after that, and we thought about it and she's like, you know what, there should never be a time limit on your dreams. And I'm like, that's my thing now and yeah, that's the best advice and it was me and her Her name is Chelsea talking about like me, just being worried all the time about not like living up to all the dreams that I have.
Mindy Cohn 03:04
that is delicious and perfect I love that thank you Chelsea
Christian Brescia 03:07
Yeah, good job Chelsea.
Mindy Cohn 03:09
Oh I'm curious about this what assumption do people make about you that are wrong? Oh I hate being misunderstood it really... I know you do um what assumption so many...that I'm not smart. umm hmmm. sister!
Jackie Cruz 03:29
maybe my character Flaca which I believe she's brilliant in her own way they just you know because of my character and she's in prison and from the hood or whatever that I'm not really smart but I am
Mindy Cohn 03:44
this I know to be true. This I know to be true. There's a deep end to that ocean. Yeah, I mean listen, I hate it when people misjudge you because you didn't finish college but let me tell you something Street, college and Hollywood college like bad well But he won't get into it also just the life you've led Jackie what you've been through and survived and thrived. Oh, if another actor were to play you in a movie, who would it be?
Christian Brescia 04:11
I love this question.
Jackie Cruz 04:12
You know what I have to be honest with you. There's this little girl that I love. And she played Dora the Explorer and I she seems so beautifully and I'm like when I do my movie, I think I would hire that little girl.
Christian Brescia 04:28
Wow, that's a good one.
Jackie Cruz 04:29
Yeah,
Mindy Cohn 04:29
That is a good one.
Jackie Cruz 04:30
And it's so funny because now I have the Dora haircut.
Mindy Cohn 04:34
You do! Ha! Um, what is your guilty pleasure?
Jackie Cruz 04:36
Salt & Vinegar Chips...anything.
Christian Brescia 04:38
You and my boyfriend, both!
Mindy Cohn 04:50
Ditto! Last question before we really get into it. Well, we're into it. Why do I keep saying that? When was the last time you cried?
Jackie Cruz 04:57
Oh, yesterday. Oh, I lied! Today before the show, again because of being misunderstood, I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. I hate sometimes you find out things that you really didn't want to know. And it's maybe...
Mindy Cohn 05:11
about yourself or someone else?
Jackie Cruz 05:12
About what maybe someone thinks of you.
Mindy Cohn 05:14
Hmm. Oh, dang it.
Jackie Cruz 05:16
Yeah. And it just it breaks my heart and I'm like, ah, why and why don't they understand that I come from love. You know, I'm not coming. I'm not a hater. Like, I do everything out of love. I lead in my heart. So yeah, I was just, it's, you know, family and I was just crying this morning and Fernando is holding me and he's like, really beautiful. You know, and just like, it's gonna Yeah, it's Don't worry so much. I worry a lot. I actually tattooed this recently. It's your letter. It's okay to cry.
Mindy Cohn 05:49
Oh my gosh. I love that. I love that because you know me, I'm always down for a proper weep. I just think it's the best way to get the steam off the top of the pot.
Jackie Cruz 05:57
You have specific friends that you can cry with. You know, and I feel so much better after.
Mindy Cohn 06:02
absolutely, hundred percent But, people put such a stigman behind it like you're weak but actually I think people who cry are stronger than than you'll ever be.
Christian Brescia 06:10
Yeah, I agree.
Mindy Cohn 06:10
well, and as actors I mean I am I have access to all my emotions, but I'm not a slave to any of them. That's kind of my theory. And it's like, I have access to that sadness, or joy. I cry more out of joy sometimes than sadness. Truth be told. that that question, the first question you asked me was the best advice? I think that now I'm gonna say, Mindy. Don't be a slave to your emotions. Yeah, you can have access to them.
Jackie Cruz 06:37
What people think that they have so much control over me, you know?
Mindy Cohn 06:40
Yeah, I guess especially for the listeners all over my Instagram because I'm so dang excited and proud and kind of want to say Finally, a couple years ago, I met Jackie we co starred in a movie together called A Nice Girl Like You it's coming out July 17. Oh, yeah. And what's great is that yes, there was chemistry. Which was exciting, and I always love working with new actors, especially actors that I have enjoyed and I had enjoyed you, shall we say? That's very suggestive...
Jackie Cruz 07:10
Well, thank you! We became like BFFs on the first day.
Mindy Cohn 07:14
we shared dressing rooms most of the time. This is an independent feature. I love that you and I are similar in that we were BFFs on that set. And then you know, while we occasionally text or dm through Instagram, I haven't seen Jackie and she hasn't seen me but that relationship is to me completely intact and will always be there. Oh, you have friends like that. That's who we are. That's who we are as actors, the gypsies.
Jackie Cruz 07:39
Yeah, everyday and I know you'd be there for me. I said Yo, Mindy, can come over, after quarantine? She was like girl, I'll put you in the garage.
Mindy Cohn 07:50
Always be a place for you with me, no matter what. And whoever else you bring. Yes, because you tend to have a little entourage. It's usually family, though Christian. It's pretty, pretty awesome.
Christian Brescia 08:01
And if there's puppies included ever, that's always a win, Yeah.
Mindy Cohn 08:05
So, but I want to I want to share with the listeners you know so many people and especially when you shared the story with me I was talking about I don't know we I'm sure we were in the makeup trailer I just know that we were and talk someone asked me about my cancer situation and going through all of that. And it went through this whole story and then Jackie just casually she's putting on her lipstick goes, well, I was in a coma. And I'm like, wahhhhh??
Jackie Cruz 08:30
Wait i didn't try to one up you!
Mindy Cohn 08:32
It wasn't even like a one-up, but like you might have wanted to lead with that. Are you kidding me!? We cannot compare, these are literally two terrible things. But why why I'm going there now is because it happened to you so early in your life you had just gone out on your own 17 years old coming back to Los Angeles and it tells us tell the story. If you don't mind. No Long, too long. I always say long story short, and then the story is so long, but I'm really going to cut it. I moved here from the Dominican Republic, when I was 15 years old. You know, it's not easy when you come in on an 11th grade, you know, to a new, you know, it was a performing arts school. So thank God for that Hamilton Academy and on Robertson over here, and it was really amazing. And I went in, actually, I got into through the saxophone, I played the jazz sax for 10 years, trying to get back into I was really like, locked up as a child because my mom, you know, I wanted to be a singer, an actress, and ever since then she's like, well, let's see if you got what it takes. Right? So she's been, you know, putting me in, you know, acting classes and you know, me I was evolving and finally, she's like, we're moving Hollywood, you know? And everyone thought we were crazy, you know, because she was a doctor already in Dominican Republic. So if we would come to America, and she'd be no one, you know, all over again... Immigrant story. Mm hmm. And we live In a little studio 400 square feet. My bed was in the kitchen. It was like in Koreatown. Um, 715 Normandie. embedded in your soul. Yeah, for sure. I was two or three for a minute. But you know, I had to change that for the four six four, you know, I came in and I saw things a little girl like 15 years old, she didn't see and I saw dependence and I saw a way to get by on my own and I told my mom, you know what, I don't want to live in this place with you because you know, you're bringing your husband in and there's no space for a teen girl. So she was like, Oh, really? You want to go be an adult? Go ahead, but don't come back. I'm like, Okay, my ride is outside. Yeah. You know ungrateful kid, my mom changed her whole life and then I'm like, peace, you know, so she was very angry. And then you know, I was living the rebel life, you know, hanging out with kids that I was supposed to work in a coat check room. Also Did you know baja fresh, and then I lied all the time to get out of school. And one day we were driving to a concert and I wasn't wearing my seatbelt and we hit the curb and the car was 80 miles an hour. And it went three times around and I went out the window. Christian, can you believe this??
Christian Brescia 11:18
Wow...
Jackie Cruz 11:18
20 feet away from the car, and right away. I was rushed to emergency and my so called friend didn't really know what to do. She called her mom was like, Oh, we were in an accident. I don't have my license more worried about herself than her friend dying. Oh, yeah. So a guy on a bicycle called 911. For me.
Mindy Cohn 11:36
God bless him. Yeah, I don't know who he is. Maybe one day we'll find and they had emergency brain surgery and I woke up. Two weeks later finding out I was in a coma. Kidney contusion, lung collapse, broke, broke two vertebrae. My eyes were crooked. My face was half paralyzed. And you know, I wanted to give up on life.
Christian Brescia 11:54
Wow!
Jackie Cruz 11:55
I had long crazy hair. And I think the reason that I have short hair now is because When I was a kid, my mom put so much into my hair that that's who I was.
Mindy Cohn 12:04
Mm hmm.
Jackie Cruz 12:06
Curly hair and that's what's how you're gonna make it. You're so unique. And God took that away from me and showed me that I was unique on my own. I didn't need the hair. I didn't need the pretty fit. And that's how when I met my little friend mellie, who was 10 years old, who the doctor told Hey, there's a girl who doesn't want to live. Would you talk to her? That was me and she was like, You're so pretty. And she had brain surgery too and she was in a wheelchair and I'm like, ah, like...
Mindy Cohn 12:29
and one of my favorite songs is Mellie 16. I mean, I love that you wrote like the most heartbreaking, thrilling, fabulous song ––– i mean I'm going to say that about five of your songs already that I love, but that one's so meaningful, because it's based on that particular person and period of your life. Hmm. But I do that, like, you know, I was going in the wrong direction and whether it's, you know, the universe or he saw my future and he said, No, no, no, no, and he had to show me Sometimes you gotta hit the floor before you know knowing what you have. And yeah, and after that I just I never gave up. well, and there was no stopping you I mean the universe or again, however you want to say it not only opened up to you, but it was like had those little like airline lights right this way, Ms. Jackie Cruz. And, don't think that terrible things didn't have to happen after that, like... of course!
Jackie Cruz 13:22
a million terrible things that got me to New York. And that's when I'm, I quit acting in LA and I'm focused on music. And then I was like, You know what, I'm going to try acting in New York. Maybe it's different.
Mindy Cohn 13:33
It is!!
Jackie Cruz 13:34
Yeah, my first audition was for Flaca.
Mindy Cohn 13:37
Yep!
Christian Brescia 13:37
No kidding!
Jackie Cruz 13:37
First one. Two lines.
Mindy Cohn 13:38
I love this story! I mean, whenever you know, we all as actors, if you've been around for any length of time, yeah. And I mean, it could be two years or 40. Okay, but that sense of look, never say no, and I'm done. Because if it's meant to be in your creative, yeah, it will find you. Yeah, and it not only found you but girl you You're ready for it. Yes. And I that's ready we talked about. You were ready for it.
Jackie Cruz 14:05
Mm hmm.
Mindy Cohn 14:05
I'm Christian there's no one who has better better hustle than Jackie Cruz.
Christian Brescia 14:11
I love that.
Mindy Cohn 14:12
And, I mean that in the best way possible you know she is hungry and excited and has the talent to back all of it up.
Christian Brescia 14:19
I've been a fan from Orange is the New Black since the beginning it was such a brilliant character well written well played it was it's amazing.
Jackie Cruz 14:27
I feel blessed that you know, they took a little bit of me and added to my character and she loved music just like me and she wanted to be an artist you know, they added you know, like like Genji would come to like the bitter end to watch me sing like crazy things like that and I feel like she took a little bit of whatever I had to offer to you know, make that character so full.
Mindy Cohn 14:51
and you know, not that you acting these in the backseat not not by a long stretch, but you've you've made it very clear and anyone I think who meets you knows that music Is your first love. It's a passion. It is one of the driving forces. It's how you communicate to the world. I remember on set it was la hora loca and you were about to do the video. I mean, it was a thrill to like, just think the world of you and yes, you're talented and we're having fun and we're playing and then to hear this voice. I was just Christian -- I was gobsmacked.
Christian Brescia 15:22
Yeah,
Mindy Cohn 15:22
what a voice what a talent. I and I understood that why music is your thing.
Jackie Cruz 15:27
Yeah, yeah. And it's just like, you know, people are just like, I guess that's what I'm saying. I was telling Chelsea. I'm like, Ah, you know, I'm getting older. And like, you know, look at all these teenyboppers for music and they're not gonna like what I want to say or have to say, but screw that. I started and I started to just write my feelings and you know, work with people that understood who I was and like, collaborate and I started to grow and do things that I never thought I could do and I feel like it's just believing yourself that's how easy it is.
Mindy Cohn 16:02
amazing. What What inspires you right now? Like what do you what what what is it for you?
Jackie Cruz 16:08
Arts, right now and you know that I was writing a TV show about my ex boyfriend and his art, I can't say too much about it, but yeah so his art is inspiring me right now.
Mindy Cohn 16:26
I love that
Jackie Cruz 16:29
I don't know like my music is not what my EP was in 2010 you know what I mean? So it's like finding yourself throughout the years like your different soundtracks of every year like that's why I like to put myself in a box just like an actor like I think and as a singer, I could do everything I love country, folk, blues, I love you know, pop I love to you know, rap, like I love all these things and once you know I'm established. I'm going to continue to just you know, expand Myself and like I told you I wrote a rap and I'm like, What the heck?
Mindy Cohn 17:04
I love that!
Jackie Cruz 17:05
I have a new Alter Ego called Jacques la Femme. First to hear it...on Mondays With Mindy!
Christian Brescia 17:15
exclusive!
Mindy Cohn 17:16
Oh my god, of course you and I already have a visual.
Jackie Cruz 17:19
mm hmm Call me later and tell me what it is.
Mindy Cohn 17:24
That's the other thing I do I have a visual popped in my head immediately. That's the other thing that I love about you is the bravery and commitment to going outside of a look or what an expectation and just giving it a try. I mean, you are I love that you you get on that tightrope, and even if you're scared or your legs are a little shaky like you still go where's that come from?
Jackie Cruz 17:46
Just life itself because a lot of people were like, you know, a lot of people are gonna put you down like she's not that good. She can't sing that good. You get you know what, maybe I wasn't that good at the time. But honey, if you want something Gotta work for it and I want it and like I've never really taken vocal lessons and let me tell you something my voice is so different than it was you know, two years ago and just this one last two years of vocal training has helped me find my voice that's crazy. Plus 30 now I find my voice and music has guided me? you freaking never know and like I just love I know that like dreaming big and kind of like trying things out like I'm skateboarding now like things that I was afraid of not living in fear anymore you know of things. I didn't know like learning the piano a little bit like you know, this quarantine you know, I wasn't really bored in the house I was busy in the house you know, working on myself yeah and on like maybe inspiring the people because I did a show called Live with Jackie which I would love to have you on...
Mindy Cohn 17:57
Anytime.
Jackie Cruz 18:42
You know, I took a little Yeah, took a little break, but maybe you know before our our movie comes out July 17. A Nice Girl Like You starring Mindy Cohn, Lucy Hale and me, Oh, yeah. So I just want to do just like you you're inspire people by having conversations with them. And you know, showing that you got to start sometimes when you're at the lowest
Mindy Cohn 19:12
Yes. And also this expectation that you have to be the best. You know, I'll tell you, I would say 95% of the people, artists, we love whether they be actors, writers, producers, fine artists, musicians aren't the best! Weren't told they were the best! But they have something. Yeah. And that sometimes is...
Christian Brescia 19:31
Magic.
Mindy Cohn 19:32
Contagious. And magical. Thank you Christian. And it's like this whole best thing, especially being a creative you need to put that down.
Jackie Cruz 19:40
Thank you. And that's where I started to accept that I wasn't the best and that's when I became my best.
Mindy Cohn 19:46
That's freedom. You have liberated yourself. I mean, it's so interesting to in an acting class or I'm on a job where it's just like, you know, I'm here for a reason. So I don't need to worry if the defense mechanisms I have to, you know, Be self deprecating or oh gosh I didn't even know how I got here screw that!
Christian Brescia 20:04
yeah, yeah. Best is BLEEP.
Mindy Cohn 20:06
We all know how we got here. Yeah. Right?
Jackie Cruz 20:09
and season one of Orange is the New Black till season seven is a whole new Flaca too and that's threw growth.
Mindy Cohn 20:15
Agreed.
Jackie Cruz 20:16
Yeah and that's from me feeling comfortable like wow they actually like me that's crazy season one like survivor up in there everybody was trying too hard and I feel like not that you know I don't want to say that everyone because everyone whatever but I did feel like it was like...
Christian Brescia 20:32
you don't want to be written off!
Jackie Cruz 20:33
exactly so they weren't at their best
Mindy Cohn 20:36
also, not not knowing it's gonna go seven seasons
Jackie Cruz 20:39
Oh hold on...it's Priscilla... Yeah, Elvis is growling. He doesn't know that's his wife yet...Well, baby does!
Mindy Cohn 20:51
I love we were sharing on the set. You were sharing those stories where you just you know, you don't know it's gonna go seven seasons. So that first season. Yeah, you're tap dancing and putting yourself out there and just try to...
Christian Brescia 21:04
Put on the Ritz...
Mindy Cohn 21:05
You know be seen in that throng of women right and then by season whatever it was but you said Get your groove you get your confidence the writer start actually giving you something to do do.
Jackie Cruz 21:16
and you start to feel validated and sucks that you know, I need someone to validate me but it's not that it's just I started feeling comfortable being myself too. And it was like, Oh, they like what I did here and like then you just I feel like everybody on that show just like was a like a little seed and they became a flower at the end. You know what I mean?
Christian Brescia 21:39
Yeah, touching on a little bit of what Jackie just spoke about. We have decided is you know, Mindy and I collectively, since we're still actively seeking like, you know, sponsorship that the new romantic comedy A Nice Girl Like You is going to be our honorary sponsor for this episode, reminding our viewers and our listeners that it is a new feature film brought to you by Caliwood Pictures and vertical entertainment it stars Lucy Hale, Jackie Cruz and our very own Mindy Cohn. It is available on demand Friday July 17. on Apple TV Amazon pretty much every on demand platform. We hope that you check it out. It is an incredible film very funny Mindy recently just posted the trailer so you can have a quick look at that if you'd like to see it. Also head to MondaysWithMindy.com if you haven't already. We'll have lots of information about Jackie there links so you can link up with her show notes so you can follow up on some of her passion projects or music or music. Exactly. If you're not subscribing to our show. There's buttons there that you can click and link to every major podcast platform. You can watch us on youtube if you prefer to watch us just make sure to give us a thumbs up hit the subscribe button and hopefully leave us a comment because we'd love to hear more from you.
Mindy Cohn 22:42
Thanks Christian.
Christian Brescia 22:43
Thank you!
Mindy Cohn 22:44
Okay that little ad there little plug plug. You just missed her. She's just one of her teeth fell out, look...
Christian Brescia 22:52
Puppy teeth!
Mindy Cohn 22:54
Oh, awwwwwwwwww yes.
Jackie Cruz 22:55
She's just teething right now so I gave her my little finger.
Mindy Cohn 22:58
SO cute! Oh my gosh! So let's talk about the movie a little bit. Um, it was exciting. I know for both of us, but I want to hear your you know, I played a character I haven't played before you definitely played someone you have not played before.
Jackie Cruz 23:13
Mmm hmm.
Mindy Cohn 23:15
What was your experience like?
Jackie Cruz 23:16
Oh, it felt so good to just wear makeup!
Mindy Cohn 23:21
you are GLAMAZON in this film. You're really pretty.
Jackie Cruz 23:26
No, thank you. No, just you know, after seven years of grey kaki you know? It felt colorful, because you could see I love color. So that was Yeah, thank you. That was really cool. And just to work with someone that I'm a big fan of and be your best friend on and offset was really cool like...
Mindy Cohn 23:49
Oh me?! I thought Lucy!
Jackie Cruz 23:50
No, I mean, Lucy's was amazing. But I spend most of my time with you, right? So I you know what I mean? I mean, you were like this because our scene were together and you know...
Mindy Cohn 24:02
There are a lot of what I what I love is a couple of our improv moments. Our producer Gina Panebianco has told us have made it into the film. I mean, Jackie and I are directors ––– Christian ––– would just let us go like, just at the end of the scene, you know, you guys just riff and we would!
Christian Brescia 24:19
I love that.
Mindy Cohn 24:20
And, and I love that some of that made it into the movie.
Christian Brescia 24:23
Yeah.
Jackie Cruz 24:23
That's great! you know I haven't seen it yet.
Mindy Cohn 24:25
I haven't either. I've seen bits but I haven't seen the whole thing either. Yes, I'm I'm really interested in seeing
Jackie Cruz 24:30
You text me when you watch it.
Mindy Cohn 24:32
Will do. But it was a fun shoot wasn't it?
Jackie Cruz 24:35
Working with you and then like, and then you being so open just like me and you know, sometimes that's why people like us kind of take get taken advantage of because we're open heart, you know, and like, I love kind of married like, we're mirrors like to each other and like we're both like young spirits and old souls, you know what I mean? And like, I don't know, it was just really cool to connect with you like like organically on and I and I'm such a big fan of yours You don't understand, like your show raise me. You know? Like, I would always watch it and I you know, as a kid and that's really cool to like be next to somebody that you like I want to be like her one day you know what I mean? Like,
Mindy Cohn 25:16
well, I'm what's so great is I felt in return like, you know, I felt so thrilled and tickled to be with you who I had been watching for seven years and Lucy and it's like, yes, get the old gal in there with those young'ins, ok! Let's play now! Let's get in the sandbox together. I'm just saying that as an actor, I don't care how old you are, what sex you are, what orientation you are. I want to play in the sandbox with you and I love who I was met Christian day one with Jackie. We just we are similar artists. We work similarly...
Christian Brescia 25:54
Yeah and you built a sand castle together.
Jackie Cruz 25:56
right!
Mindy Cohn 25:57
Yes.
Jackie Cruz 25:57
And you what's crazy is that someone who's been in business for so long, you know, they get jaded and you know, it's people don't have fun anymore and you you literally made everyone have fun. You know what I mean? Like at every moment, that's what I loved about you. And you kind of taught me a lot like during It was like my first kind of, you know, it's indie, but big kind of film. You know? And um, and you you show me the ropes you know, and I'm not talking about...well, also the strip club ropes!
Mindy Cohn 26:25
Yep, that too. We did a couple times around the pole. Don't get it twisted Christian! Jackie, and I kind of we were wrapped and we kind of stayed for a little while at when we were shooting at the strip club.
Jackie Cruz 26:35
You would think it would be me to teach her, but no. She taught ME! You would think I would teach her!
Christian Brescia 26:43
See we both love, I mean, we don't love like you were saying nobody likes to be underestimated, but it's something that she and I are consistently underestimated in almost every aspect of our life. And it's such a great feeling for me anyway, when somebody does underestimate me, but I know that I can step up to the plate in really bring a little surprise and then that moment like you said yourself, you're like, Oh my god, I'm learning something I didn't expect to learn. You know, I, I love that stuff. Those are the moments.
Mindy Cohn 27:09
Yeah.
Jackie Cruz 27:09
It was just, you know, really cool. We just I don't know vibed and then we went live a lot We did so, Jackie so you have to understand when I started shooting the movie, I think I had a whopping 20,000 followers or something...
Christian Brescia 27:23
still that's still pretty good.
Mindy Cohn 27:24
Yeah, but I mean, yeah, you know, I had never been on Insta story. So of course our first Insta story. I'm just having a ball and you know what, Jackie? You have fans. Okay. You have fans Brazil was calling in Colombia. Venezuela in the house. It was so fun that I stopped being afraid of Instagram I was sort of like wanting to do it right whatever the hell that means. And Jackie. Jackie really like was my teacher about social media for me. Your dimensions He wants to see you just be Mindy on Instagram. And from there, you know, we blast bad.
Jackie Cruz 28:06
Yeah. And that was my favorite thing! I had so much fun working with you, working with you in this, you know, working with new directors. Yes. Definitely worked with you was my favorite thing on the show I love I let you know, let me not you know, Adhir and Lucy and everybody was wonderful to work with. But it was just like, you know being a fan of yours for so long and just being next to you that was just like ultimate I was you saw me I was the happiest person ever.
Mindy Cohn 28:34
what's next for you? What's going on? I know that your film you got COVID kind of stopped. You were in production on a film, correct?
Jackie Cruz 28:41
Yes. It's called switchgrass after midnight starring Emile Hirsch, which I went to high school with Bruce Willis, Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, like really cool people.
Mindy Cohn 28:53
And I just think that I want to have Randall as my boss one day you need to tell him that your producer
Jackie Cruz 28:58
Oh Really?
Mindy Cohn 28:59
Yeah.
Jackie Cruz 28:59
Yes. He's the director!
Mindy Cohn 29:01
Oh, he's directing this one too. I know he's a producer. So you need to tell him to hire my tush.
Jackie Cruz 29:05
Okay, you know what? I will talk with him and you know, I'll send him this little podcast.
Mindy Cohn 29:10
Thank you. Having said that, that's the film. So yes?
Jackie Cruz 29:13
No, Randall is incredible. I met Randall could be like four years ago. And you know, he just got to get to, you know, to know me and he liked this role for me. And I auditioned for another role actually, and it was a 50 plus rule, but he just wanted to see my acting skills. And I'm that was the best tape I've ever done in my life. And I swear to God, thank you to my coach: Deborah Dion I'm not the same person anymore like like I am the same person but it's like I can be so many different things in just one little thing that clicks.
Mindy Cohn 29:51
so so tell me where you at the middle of the shoot the end of the shoot, like what happened?
Jackie Cruz 29:56
Yeah. So no, I was about to take a plane to go And quarantine happened. And he's like, no, we're good. We're still filming. We're still filming. And then I was like, I don't know if I'm gonna take this flight and um, yeah, that's what happened right before but I'm filming it. end of July.
Mindy Cohn 30:14
Okay, great. So you going back?
Jackie Cruz 30:15
I'm going back and it's a juicy, you know, kind of roll. Like a like, you know, a big roll but it's you know, you you'll see me you know what I mean? And it's, I'm showing you different colors. And I love every movie that I've done, including A Nice Girl Like You. It's just a different me every single one is a different me like different hair, different vibe and...
Mindy Cohn 30:37
Beautiful! That's what it's about.
Jackie Cruz 30:39
I'm excited. And they're not stereotypical Latin roles they're just women. You know what I mean?
Mindy Cohn 30:44
It's one of the things I absolutely loved about our film was that our roles make you know, my age and Afir's nationality and your heritage. Like none of that was about that. It was about four people being a part of this quartet. Right?
Jackie Cruz 30:59
So Exactly. And it's the love of music and what makes them perfect for the group. And that yeah, that's what I loved it. It was ageless. It was like, just they hired great people. Yeah, you know, and I'm just like, you know, I feel like switchgrass after midnight to like, he hired great people. I'm working with incredible people. So yeah, I just everything I'm doing and I got to work with Harvey Keitel recently in a movie called Lansky. I had scenes with him. That's my next movie. I did after a nice girl like if that's what I'm telling you like I've been working as an actor. Yeah, Harvey. I got to do improv with him!
Mindy Cohn 31:40
Jackie that is so brilliant.
Jackie Cruz 31:42
He was like "where'd you find this kid?" Where are you? And I'm like, he found me in the streets. And he's like you, you know you remind me
Mindy Cohn 31:53
Oh, my God, who?
Jackie Cruz 31:56
West Side Story!
Mindy Cohn 31:58
Okay,
Christian Brescia 32:00
What a great compliment though,
Jackie Cruz 32:02
so he would sing...America...and I would sing Puerto Ricoooooooo and he would die. we had the best time. you know, and after working with you, you know, I've been working with legends, you know, you're a legend. Harvey's a legend. And you know, hopefully you know, Emile Hirsch. I've been such a big fan of his. We were in the same high school.
Mindy Cohn 32:29
Yes. are your scenes with him?
Jackie Cruz 32:31
I'm his wife.
Mindy Cohn 32:31
Oh my god. That's so, good. And out of the box in the best way possible. Oh my god. Yes. Bravo.
Jackie Cruz 32:38
And I have an accent. It's like a Tallahassee Florida. That's completely different. Like, and then this other one, you know, I had it was a 70s look. So my hair was like, like...
Mindy Cohn 32:52
Farrah Faucetty?
Jackie Cruz 32:53
Meg Ryan! You know, when she had that short hair cut, like that one. And it was like, you know, back In the de vibe, so I was a waitress and I was his, you know, favorite waitress at that Harvey always came in and he knew me, you know, my family and he took care of me and it was really
Mindy Cohn 33:10
oh my gosh, I'm so I'm so excited for you. I really am.
Jackie Cruz 33:14
Thank you. You know what, it's crazy because the movies that I've gotten Yes, I audition but this one Eytan in my friend in Rockaway is the director of Lansky and you know, I just love who you are and he's like, there are no Latin people in this movie at all it's like about you know, Jewish mob but I'm going to write a role for you and he told me that maybe two and a half years ago and and he made me you know, a role in this movie and he's like, and you're gonna be opposite Harvey and not a lot of people keep their word but my friend Eytan Rockaway which I'll introduce you, Mindy. Yes, he kept word.
Mindy Cohn 33:29
He's awesome. You know that Jina Panebianco had a little piece of that. Yeah, Caliwood is is producing that as well came in at the last minute, but
Jackie Cruz 34:00
Which is crazy because I met some of the financers of A Nice Girl Like you finance that. I got to meet them. Yeah. And they, you know, have other ideas for us, you know, so yes.
Mindy Cohn 34:11
Listen, it's like how you got to do it. I mean, just work with people you like. Yeah, we'll do it. Yeah.
Christian Brescia 34:18
Perfect.
Jackie Cruz 34:18
Yeah. Amazing. I love you. And it's so nice to meet you, Christian.
Christian Brescia 34:22
Nice to meet you. Jackie. Thank you so much for joining us on the show. This was really really wonderful. Very inspiring. Your energy is very infectious, which I'm grateful for so keep pushing along.
Jackie Cruz 34:31
Thank you! Mindy, we have the same haircut. I so mad that I did braids, but they look terrible.
Mindy Cohn 34:35
Oh my god. No, but that you look freakin adorable.
Christian Brescia 34:38
You look beautiful.
Jackie Cruz 34:41
I love you.
Mindy Cohn 34:42
I love you too. I'll talk to you later.
Christian Brescia 34:45
All right, thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. Ms. Jackie Cruz.
Jackie Cruz 34:48
Byeeeeee!
Mindy Cohn 34:50
I mean, if I could have a co star like Jackie on every project, I do...heaven!
Christian Brescia 34:55
You could feel like the the chemistry that you guys have. I mean, it's funny. You talked about this Instant bond, but it's like, I mean, you can hear it in my ears and I could see it with my eyes. It's like, Oh, that's really that isn't just lip service for promoting a movie, so to speak. And it's like talent and like each other.
Mindy Cohn 35:12
Not often you find such an intrinsically good person. She's just good hearted.
Christian Brescia 35:18
You could definitely pick up, yeah, I liked her story, too. It was really like, it wasn't just inspiring, but I'm like, I like that she's a hustler. She kind of is coming into her own and blossoming even though, you know, maybe her fans think that she's already blossomed and already come into her own. And, you know, she's still on that path of self-discovery, which I think is gonna give us many, many years of exciting characters and music and roles for her to play. So I'm excited to
Mindy Cohn 35:40
Yeah, well, we thought we bonded on that then but you know, I said, I've been known as Natalie my whole life if you're known for Flaca, your whole life, you know, it's lovely. As an actor though, you just have to take it into your own hands and persevere, you know? And, uh. Yeah!
Christian Brescia 35:54
More good advice from Mindy! I made your decision it out today. We've got some golden eggs.
Mindy Cohn 36:00
It's all in one basket, kiddo. That's all I got. That's all.
Christian Brescia 36:09
The whole kit-and-kaboodle? Pretty awesome.
Mindy Cohn 36:11
Thanks again so much for a wonderful, wonderful episode, Christian. This is just really the best part of my week.
Christian Brescia 36:16
Yeah, same here and I just wanna remind our viewers if they haven't checked out MondaysWithMindy.com to go in and do that. Subscribe to the podcasts, Watch the YouTube, check out the show notes. Learn more about Jackie follow her and definitely put on your calendar July 17. To download or stream A Nice Girl Like You which is coming out your new film starring Lucy Hale, Jackie Cruz, and of course you it's gonna be a very exciting moment. So yeah, I'm excited to see it myself.
Mindy Cohn 36:40
Aww. Thanks, babe.
Christian Brescia 36:41
All right. We'll see you guys next week. Have a good one. Be safe.
