Lia McHugh, Eternally
⤏ IN CONVERSATION WITH GISSELLE PERNETT
⤏ PHOTOS BY DANIEL HERMOSILLO
⤏ STYLING BY LAURA SOPHIE COX | ASSISTED BY JADE HURTADO AND ZOE ANASTOS
⤏ MAKEUP BY RACHEL GOODWIN
⤏ HAIR BY JENNY CHO
Lia McHugh isn’t your average 15-year-old, she has super powers. Lia stars in Eternals as one of the world’s oldest superheroes while also being the youngest member of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Oh, did I mention she’s a Lego?
GISSELLE PERNETT: This is more out of my own curiosity but once a movie you’re in is released, do you watch it?
LIA MCHUGH: Yeah! It’s really weird actually, I know some actors who don’t watch movies. I was in a movie with a girl who asked me, “Did you see it? Was it good?” I was like, “You’re in it? You haven’t seen it?” I find that so weird! I need to watch it a bunch of times to gather my thoughts about it.
GP: That’s interesting! I was curious because when I write I hate reading my work once it’s published.
LM: It does make me nervous. Watching myself on screen makes me really nervous because I’m very hard on myself. I’m my hardest critic. I judge myself so much.
GP: I have to ask the obvious question, how did you get started in acting? Was there a movie you watched and thought that’s what I want to do?
LM: It’s really funny, when I was little, I thought actors were in movies because someone called you and asked you to be in it. It’s kind of funny, people who aren’t in the industry have no idea how it works and I was like that before I got started. When I was little I was so imaginative, I wanted to be a princess, I wanted to be a spy. I loved doing crazy things and dressing up. My mom showed me a picture when I was little once, and I was like, “Mom, why would you let me go out like that?” [laughs] It’s really funny. My brother started doing musical theater on a whim and slowly the rest of my siblings started doing it with him. A coach saw me in a performance and he asked to take me for an audition. At first we said no like “No, we’re fine. It’s a little weird you want to take me for an audition.” But I ended up doing it! And I got really close! I realized, “Wow I really love this and I wanna keep doing it.” So, it just sort of took off from there and eventually we moved to LA.
GP: What was the audition for?
LM: It was for Antman’s daughter. That was my very first audition ever. Isn’t that like full circle? I was on set and one of the big producers said to me, “Wow, I’m really glad you didn’t get that part.” If I had gotten it, I wouldn’t have been able to play Sprite.
“I’m my hardest critic. I judge myself so much.”
GP: You’re 15, how do you balance filming, attending press tours, and just being a teenager?
LM: I don’t know. I don’t think I’m like a normal teenager. [laughs] I don’t feel like a lot of other kids my age. I have a really big family and I just love spending time with them and and my dogs. I have a few close friends, but I definitely do have to sacrifice a lot to be on set and do what I love. It’s an interesting balance.
GP: Do you think — or were there moments where you felt you had to grow up quickly?
LM: Definitely. Especially being around adults so often. Like, I’m honestly friends with more adults than I am kids. I definitely feel like I’ve grown up really fast and I think maybe my maturity level is not so much — you know —teenage level. I think dealing with the seriousness of some of the movies I’ve been in, and the tough subject matter, has forced me to grow up a little bit quicker.
GP: Is there any pressure being young and in Hollywood?
LM: I definitely do feel the pressure. I was so nervous coming into the Eternals set. The very first day I had to speak Spanish. I wouldn’t let myself mess up. But everyone treated me like an equal on an equal playing ground — all the Eternals — which made me feel so much better. Once I got into the rhythm of shooting a film, I started to loosen up more and felt more comfortable. I was still putting pressure on myself to hold a certain standard working with these A-level actors, they’re all so good and impressive. I think it was a positive thing because it made me step up my game.
GP: I mean you were featured on Variety’s Power of Young Hollywood list so clearly you’re killing the game! What was it like being on that list with other young creatives?
LM: I was really excited! My mom and I got the call and thought it was so cool! I never experienced fame like that before. It’s a really weird thing to go almost from zero to one hundred, from being just a kid to all of a sudden people knowing who you are.
GP: Most of, if not all of your siblings are actors, right? Does this all help the balance?
LM: Yeah, I feel like we all understand it really well. When they come to set and visit me, they’re really good support systems. They understand how hard it can be and the sort of pressure we put on ourselves. My family has really helped me go through this.
GP: Let’s talk about Eternals because the cast is insane. You got to star alongside some really inspiring women — Angeline Jolie, Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan, Lauren Ridloff, Chloe Zhao — what was that experience like?
LM: When I work with adults, I feel like I have to be at a certain level. They all really inspire me and push me. Witnessing actors on set, everyone works differently, especially people who have been doing this for such a long time. I learned so much from witnessing their talent, seeing the way they work, and how they push themselves on difficult days. Working alongside this cast made me work harder.
“It’s a really weird thing to go almost from zero to one hundred, from being just a kid to all of a sudden people knowing who you are.”
GP: Have you seen any growth between the first movie you filmed and this last one being, Eternals?
LM: Oh yeah, oh yeah. I mean even — it’s been two years since I shot Eternals. I feel like I’ve had more growth since then. The older I get, the more I shift and change my views on the world. That brings a difference into what I bring into my characters. I’ve noticed, yeah, a big shift. I’m grateful. I put a lot of pressure on myself so sometimes when I see myself on film, I get almost upset when I don’t feel like I’ve done my absolute best. But, I feel really grateful that I have been proud of all my work that’s been put out there.
GP: How do you combat that pressure you put on yourself?
LM: I’ve learned to just get over it. I mean, I was nervous going to London for the first time, doing the table read, going to Comic-Con, walking down the red carpet at the Eternals premiere. But I have to take these steps to get what I want. I make myself get through it, and once I get to the other side I’m like, “Okay, I did my best. I’m proud of myself.”
GP: What would you say your proudest moment as an actress has been?
LM: Oh gosh. I mean, probably Eternals. Seeing the final product and going to the premiere was so incredible. For the world to finally be able to see the movie, that was a really proud moment for me. I feel like I’ve come such a long way from when I first started acting. I was so little. Honestly, I could have never even imagined being in a movie like this. There’s never been a kid superhero in the Marvel Universe, so never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get this chance. It’s so crazy. It hasn’t really hit me yet how insane all of this is.
GP: It’s so interesting because it kind of goes back to you as a kid wanting to be a princess and a spy and now you’re playing a superhero.
LM: Totally! Yeah, my mom didn’t let me watch a lot of TV when I was little, which I’m very grateful for because I became very imaginative. I played with toys all the time, and I would run around the neighborhood playing pretend. I think growing up like that brought something special to the characters I play. I imagine my characters, I feel like I am them, so I’m able to understand them really well.
“Honestly, I could have never even imagined being in a movie like this. There’s never been a kid superhero in the Marvel Universe, so never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would get this chance.”
GP: I know you said you’re not a normal teenager, but aside from acting, who is Lia?
LM: I’m a big family person. I love being with my siblings. I have three brothers and a sister. They really keep me level-headed and humble and as “normal” as I can be. They make fun of me all the time. When I auditioned for Eternals my brother, Flynn, didn’t think that I was gonna get it. He was like, “There’s no way. That just doesn’t happen to people.” [laughs] It’s funny. I love being with my animals, I have three dogs and a bunny. I love pets. Maybe that’s kind of a weird thing to say, but I love my animals. I horseback ride, I like to crochet, I like to draw, too! Just normal things I guess.
GP: It really reflects how your mom didn’t let you watch a lot of TV. You’ve been able to pick up all these hobbies!
LM: Yeah! Seriously, it’s forced me to — when I was little I was forced to entertain myself by doing creative things. I feel like those experiences are what help me understand more when I do read scripts and learn my characters.
GP: What was it like for your siblings when you got the role of Sprite?
LM: I think my siblings are still shocked. All of a sudden my brothers like me now. [laughs] They’re proud of me and they posting about me on their [Instagram] stories and they’re like, “Look at my sister she said my name in an interview!” They can’t believe I’m a Lego.
GP: Did you say Lego? Like the Lego toys?
LM: Yeah, I’m a Lego! Sprite is a Lego!
GP: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given? About the entertainment industry or just life in general?
LM: Working on Eternals, [my co-star] Don Lee was the nicest guy ever. I mean, he’s a Korean superstar! We went out to dinner a bunch of times and everyone would know who he is. People would stop him in the middle of the street, yet he’s so humble and kind and sweet. He doesn’t think he’s better than anyone else. He’s done like a hundred movies in Korea, he’s a total superstar. I think that’s really special. He's just so kind and wants to be get to know people and have a fun time. He doesn’t care about all of the [notoriety]. I really have a lot of respect for him. He has taught me to stay humble.
⤏ GISSELLE PERNETT (SHE/HER) IS A LOS ANGELES BASED WRITER OBSESSED WITH POP CULTURE, EARLY MTV, AND CREATING ODDLY SPECIFIC PLAYLISTS. GISSELLE'S LOVE FOR WRITING STARTED WITH A SUBSCRIPTION TO SEVENTEEN MAGAZINE AND A GENERAL DISLIKE FOR ANY OTHER SCHOOL SUBJECT. SHE ENJOYS TALKING TO PEOPLE AND HAS A LOVE-HATE RELATIONSHIP WITH HER VIRGO SUN SIGN.