Exclusive Interview: Eva Carlton Talks The Really Loud House, Bringing Her Character to Life, and More

Eva Carlton has made her mark as one of the breakout stars of 2022 with her captivating performance as Leni Loud in The Really Loud House.

The hysterical comedy brings the Loud House family to real life, showcasing brand-new stories you’ve never seen before as Lincoln Loud navigates the chaos of living in a family with ten sisters with help of his best friend Clyde McBride.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Eva about The Really Loud House her character, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for storytelling?
Eva: I actually discovered my love for storytelling through playing with Barbie dolls when I was little. I later became obsessed with The Sims—another storytelling game!

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Eva: Honestly, I can’t pinpoint a particular person. My career is an amalgamation of equal influences.

PC: You got your start in theater. What has the transition been like going from the stage to the screen?
Eva: Theater acting and screen acting are very different. Stage acting requires a bigger performance—heightened movements, emotions, etc. All in all, the transition has been smooth, but it did take me a second to learn to tone down my movements!

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Eva: I think when I booked Where’s Waldo? It was my first booking and a huge deal for me! I learned a lot from my superiors, castmates, and other crew members!

PC: Tell us about The Really Loud House, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Eva: The Really Loud House is a kids’ television show featuring a household of ten girls and one boy. In each episode, there is some sort of family mayhem that Lincoln (the one boy) and his best friend, Clyde, must solve!

I play Leni Loud, the second eldest of the family. Leni is a bubbly fashionista who can sometimes be a bit spacey. She often contributes to the chaos in the family!

As for what drew me to the project: the hilarious script! My mom was cracking up throughout my audition, and so we knew the show had some very talented writers!

PC: The Really Loud House is based on the popular animated show. When you’re playing a character who has previously existed, what’s something you wanted to make sure was translated into the live-action series?
Eva: I wanted to make sure that Leni’s eccentricity was properly conveyed. It’s easy to play Leni like a simple dumb blonde, but that’s not who she is. I wanted to make sure that Leni’s ditziness and naïveté didn’t translate into stupidity.

PC: What’s something new you brought to her?
Eva: I think I make Leni a bit softer than she is in the cartoon. While both renditions are kind, I would say my Leni is a bit less loud (ironic though).

PC: Leni has so many hilarious lines in the series. How much of that is scripted? How much of that is improvised? Do you have a favorite line of hers from Season 1?
Eva: Most of Leni’s dialogue is scripted, but sometimes I throw in an ad-lib or two. My favorite line from Season 1 is in the second half of the season. Lynn says, “You’re having a bad hair day?” and I say, “How dare you.” It had me cracking up with every take!

To keep up with Eva, follow her on Instagram. Watch The Really Loud House on Nick.

Photo Credit: Storm Santos