Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Party of Five’s Elizabeth Grullón

Elizabeth Grullón is a fresh face in Hollywood to look out for. This year, she made a huge statement with her recurring role as the outspoken Dominican activist Theresa “Sully” Sullivan in Freeform’s re-imagining of the ’90s classic Party of Five. The series follows the five Acosta children—Emilio, Lucia, Beto, Valentina, and Rafa—as they navigate life after their parents are suddenly deported to Mexico. Elizabeth’s character becomes a mentor and friend to Lucia Acosta in their fight against injustice. Pop Culturalist caught up with Elizabeth to chat about her career and Party of Five.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Elizabeth: I grew up watching movies with my brother and my dad. That was our thing my whole life. We would rent two movies every Friday night and I would be so excited to watch them over the weekend. I loved watching Julia Roberts fall in love, Keanu Reeves kick ass, and Sandra Bullock problem solve in a crisis. I don’t know how to describe it—it just hooked me. I thought, “I want to do that!”

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Elizabeth: My parents for encouraging me. The teachers who believed in me. My ancestors for their sacrifices. My friends for cheering me on. All of the great actors whose work has inspired me because they never gave up on their dreams.

Party of Five

PC: What should fans know about Sully?
Elizabeth: Sully lives her life in service of her community, but that doesn’t mean she’s not fierce. She doesn’t let fear rule her, but that doesn’t mean she’s not scared sometimes. She believes in people, but that doesn’t mean she hasn’t been hurt. She is a really special, complex person who chooses to have hope even when that choice is not always easy.

PC: What can you tease about Sully’s relationship with Lucia and her arc this season?
Elizabeth: I think Sully sees Lucia’s potential and that she’s been through a lot. Lucia really admires Sully’s courage in the face of resistance. Sully becomes like a mentor to her, which I think Lucia really needs.

PC: Party of Five is tackling a lot of timely issues. As an actress, does that change the weight/pressure of the project?
Elizabeth: For me, it doesn’t add pressure but rather makes it more of a celebration to honor the real people who are going through these issues. It makes it more of a joy to be a part of something that matters. It’s so important to have a deep level of respect and care in how we tell these stories, and I think that’s a source of pride for all of us on the show.

PC: Besides Party of Five, do you have any other upcoming projects that you can chat about?
Elizabeth: Last year, I worked on a film called Road Head, which is having its world premiere at Cinequest Film Festival next month. I recently played The Second Sister in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, which was an incredible experience. I’ll be shooting a sci-fi film called Saturn later this year and I have an emotional episode of Grey’s Anatomy coming up later this season. I also directed my first film, a short entitled Ash. It was wonderful to work behind the camera, and I’m looking forward to the festival circuit.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Elizabeth: Big Mouth

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Elizabeth: Best in Show

PC: Favorite book?
Elizabeth: The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Elizabeth: I saw Book of Mormon on Broadway and it blew my mind.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Elizabeth: Three Dog Night. My dad educated me on the classics.

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Elizabeth: Zoe Saldana

To keep up with Elizabeth, follow her on Instagram. Stream Party of Five on Hulu today.

Photo Credit: Ashley Nguyen