INTERVIEW WITH EDEN DUNCAN SMITH
Glitter recently sat down with Eden Duncan Smith who plays Isabella Sullivan in the upcoming Annie movie, co-starring the greats Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz and Quvenzhane Wallis who plays Annie. Annie hits theaters December 19th. Eden has been acting for awhile and has also been on Broadway. At one point she was in the Broadway production of The Lion King, which we love! She is very open about who she has crushes on and if given the choice between being a Muggle or a Wizard, she’d be a wizard a thousand times over. We would too! We would too! 🙂
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your role in Annie? Who do you play?
EDEN: In this version of Annie, there are no orphans. We are foster kids (our foster mother is Miss Colleen Hannigan played by Cameron Diaz). I play the foster sister to Quvenzhane Wallis named Isabella Sullivan. Isabella is a very girly, girl. She is one of the oldest and has been in the most foster homes out of all the girls. She has a big heart. Her character is new to the Annie story and she counters the brash roughness of Pepper. Our director and writer, Will Gluck was amazing in how he developed her personality. She is so prissy. She is the nurturer and the one that takes care of everyone, even though she realizes that as an older foster she may never be adopted.
GLITTER: What is it like playing alongside greats like Jamie Foxx?
EDEN: It was amazing working with Jamie. He is so funny. He is actually funnier in person, when he is not trying to be, than when he is on the big screen. We connected. We had the same taste in music, he was very kind to me and because I was the oldest out of the girls there were many times that he could share jokes with me that typically went over their heads. I would love to work with him again.
GLITTER: What do you love more? Acting on Broadway or in film?
EDEN: I like them both for different reasons. But with live theater, there is a discipline that I am used to and there is the immediate gratification of the audience… cheering and connecting with you on stage. I believe my experience on Broadway, helped me substantially in making the film. In particularly, my musical theater background was key in me doing a great job on Annie. Annie required long hours of singing, dancing and acting and I was conditioned to be up for the challenge because I had worked on two rigorous Broadway shows.
GLITTER: How did you get started in acting?
EDEN: Depending on what you mean… I started acting in church and in school. At my church, I would always participate in our productions like “Unto Us” and “The MAAFA Suite.” We would practice anywhere between 3 to 5 months for maybe 4 or 5 shows. I never got lead parts and was always a part of the ensemble. I learned how important it is to be supporting cast and to work with others. It is a humble place to be that many actors don’t like. I also started working at my elementary school, the American Sign Language School in NYC. I always was in the ensemble. I also was once the understudy for every lead in one play (having the learn the parts of all the characters in english and ASL). But I never was the star. When I begged my mother to let me audition for Lion King, they chose me 3rd out of about 700 girls. Then placed me on a short list. While on the short list, my mom allowed me to submit for Fences with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. I got the part and after I got the part, like one week in, The Lion King called and asked me to do it. I had to tell them “no”. After Fences, I joined The Lion King cast like maybe one month later and I have been acting “THANK GOD” ever since.
GLITTER: If you weren’t acting, what else would you love to do?
EDEN: Art, Science and Creative Writing. I love to draw. My family are all artists in one way or another. My parents both used to challenge me to draw something. We would all sit and try and draw the same thing. I was the best… sike… my dad and mom have skills. Science is my love. I am the top in class in Science (we are studying all the aspects of the Earth now). I would like to be a chemist. I want to go to college and minor in Laboratory Sciences. I am looking at a Liberal Arts College like Spelman College in Atlanta where I can possibly major in Visual Arts, Dance or Drama/ Theater Arts.
Creative Writing or Journalism is an option. I like doing everything. I am a renaissance woman. I am a firm believer that the world does not need another dumb dancer or arrogant actor. I want to bring something smart to the table within my artistry.
GLITTER: Do you have any other upcoming projects you can tell us about?
EDEN: After Annie, I am starring in two independent films. The first one is Meadowland. Meadowland is high suspense and a thriller. My character in that movie is a tough/ sensitive kid named Alma that deals with her problems inappropriately but has a lot of potential that is noticed by her teacher Olivia Wilde. I’m excited about this film because there are a lot of heavy hitters in it: Olivia Wilde, Luke Wilson, Elisabeth Moss, Natasha Lyonne, Giovanni Ribisi, Juno Temple, Ty Simpkins, Scott ” Kid Cudi” Mescudi, Mark Feuerstein, Kevin Corrigan and directed by the amazing Reed Morano.
GLITTER: Do you have a secret crush on anyone?
EDEN: Nope. If I had a crush on anyone, they would know. I have nothing to hide. I have a not so secret crush on Usher, Hozier, Jaden Smith, Matisyahu, Alfred Enoch and Jake T. Austin. I’m all over the place. But as you can see, I can find beauty in all types of people places and things.
GLITTER: What is your favorite thing about the fall and winter seasons?
EDEN: Everything about the fall and winter seasons I adore. They have great colors! The weather is so nice. All my favorite holidays are during the fall and winter. My birthday is in the fall. I love pumpkins, Starbucks holiday cups, Christmas songs, Thanksgiving food and uhm…Tim Burton.
GLITTER: What if your favorite fall trend? Winter trend?
EDEN: Fall? Oversize sweaters, ankle boots, jewel colors (like magenta, royal blues, oranges, reds) and earth tones.
Winter? FAUX FUR , Pashminas and fingerless gloves. Funky scarves and hats.
GLITTER: If you could take any three things with you to a deserted island, what would they be and why?
EDEN:
1. Books
2. Laptop and WiFi
3. An Endless Supply of Mangoes
GLITTER: If you could be a Muggle or Wizard, which would you be and why?
EDEN: A Wizard. A Wizard. A Wizard. Who wouldn’t want to be a wizard? Because Wingardium Leviosa… LeviOsa… not Levios-AH. Who wouldn’t want to make things levitate. I also would love to Hogwarts and rep that green and silver!
GLITTER: How can people follow you?
EDEN:
IMDB: http://www.imdb.me/edenduncansmith
Twitter: @Impossipuzxle
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdenSanaaDuncanSmith
Tumblr: Impossipuzxle
IG: ax.wzr
IG2: business.eden
Editorial Director | Writer | Tweet me @heatherriccio
