The Swift Ascent of Luna Blaise to Major Success

      A month prior to the release of Jurassic World Rebirth, I sit down with Luna Blaise on what is currently the hottest day of the year in New York City. After spending months filming the summer blockbuster in the sweltering Thai jungle and fighting dinosaurs in tactical gear under temperatures exceeding 100 degrees, a warm 86° in New York feels easy for her. The actress remains unaffected as we move to a cozy, dimly lit lounge at the Bowery Hotel, a space perfect for privacy, which she will soon come to value. In a matter of weeks, Blaise will find herself involved in a significant Hollywood franchise—one that is set to alter the trajectory of her career.

      In Jurassic World Rebirth, the seventh entry in the beloved franchise featuring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, Blaise takes on the character of Teresa Delgado—a sharp, billionaire-skeptical Gen Z heroine, uniquely suited to the current cinematic landscape post-2020. What begins as a family outing on a boat with her father Reuben (played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and younger sister Isabella (played by Audrina Miranda) quickly devolves into chaos as they become entangled in a secret mission to extract dinosaur DNA. Teresa emerges as the film’s emotional core, fiercely defending her family amidst intense action and drama. While evading genetically modified raptors and scrutinizing corporate greed, Blaise infuses the character with a raw wit and intensity that feel refreshingly contemporary.

      As she settles into a velvet chaise lounge, she exudes the vibe of a laid-back 23-year-old, but her slicked-back bun, trendy capris, and mini sunglasses signal her social media savviness. While Blaise shies away from being labeled an It girl, she acknowledges her struggles with social media: "I'm so bad at it," she admits. "But my friend Iris [Law] nails it." Taking a sip of Diet Coke, the common remedy for the sweltering NYC heat, she continues, "Every time I try to post, something goes wrong." Despite her reluctance to claim it, her posts resonate with followers, especially when her notifications exploded upon announcing her role in Jurassic World Rebirth—a pivotal moment that marked both digital mayhem and a career milestone. Though her rise to the big screen appears rapid, it is backed by years of quiet dedication and a childhood immersed in creativity.

      To provide context, Blaise isn’t a newcomer to acting; creativity runs in her family. With a father who directs music videos and a mother who sings and produces, they ensured she never felt pressured beyond her limits as a child in Los Angeles. Yet, from a young age, whether consciously or not, Blaise always yearned to perform. "When I was little, my parents took me to the movies, and I’d dash to the front because I wanted to be in the screen," she reminisces. "I’d think, 'How do I get in there? How can I do that?'"

      Her first major role came in 2015 when she played Nicole Ellis on Fresh Off the Boat. Initially meant to be a one-off character for a few episodes, her captivating portrayal of the mischievous tween led to her becoming a series regular. This was soon followed by her breakthrough in Manifest, where she portrayed Olive Stone, the perceptive and caring daughter of a family grappling with supernatural mysteries following the unexpected return of their son, presumed dead for years. Staged in New York over its four seasons, this marked her first experience with significant success. "I feel very grateful. It's not common for this to happen," she reflects, highlighting the show's longevity in an industry plagued by cancellations. "To have a steady job for this long is truly a blessing."

      Jurassic World Rebirth elevates Blaise to a new level of prominence. Securing a position in such a significant film franchise, especially one as iconic as the original Jurassic Park, is beyond her wildest imaginings. When she auditioned, there was silence for months until an unexpected Zoom invitation for a script read appeared in her inbox nearly six months later. "I genuinely thought I bombed it," Blaise confesses. "I was convinced the casting director hated me." So, when her agent called with the news, she was bewildered by the numerous participants on the call, initially wondering if they were really informing her that she hadn’t landed the role. "Then my agent said, 'Are you ready to go fight some dinosaurs? You got Jurassic,' and I just lost it," she shares.

      Soon, audiences worldwide will see her as the fiery Teresa, which prompts her to reflect on how one prepares for imminent stardom. "I think about it every single day," she admits. Though she's managed to process her feelings since filming began nearly a year ago, the last three months have been an emotional roller coaster. "It's nerve-wracking. People are