Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with A Loud House Christmas’ Catherine Bradley

Catherine Bradley has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most exciting triple threats. From the stage to the screen, she’s brought dynamic characters to life in projects including Harry Potter & The Cursed Child, Happy!, and Bubble Guppies.

This winter, she’s bringing the holiday cheer with the live-action adaptation of A Loud House Christmas.

Pop Culturalist sat down with Catherine to chat about her multifaceted career, A Loud House Christmas, and more.

Career

PC: How did you discover your passion for the arts and storytelling?
Catherine: I actually discovered my passion for the arts and storytelling through dance and The Little Mermaid. I began dancing at the age of two, but in my very first dance competition when I was seven years old, I had a musical theatre dance duet. I played Ursula from The Little Mermaid in the song “Poor Unfortunate Souls.” I remember watching all these incredible dancers compete before me, doing steps and dance tricks I did not know how to do. My mom told me not to worry about having perfect steps, but just to become Ursula as I danced. I certainly connected with Ursula’s sarcasm, playfulness, and humor. Once I went on stage, I completely forgot about dancing and just became Ursula. It was almost an out-of-body experience. When we later won the award for Broadway Bound, I knew I had found my passion for acting and performing. Whenever I am hard on myself for not doing a perfect turn or step in dance, I remind myself that telling the story is most important and what is fun! I feel like storytelling is what performing and acting are all about.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Catherine: I have worked with so many incredibly talented people that have shaped my career, but my mom has been the biggest influence on my career since the beginning. My mom has always believed in me and told me I can do anything I put my mind to if I work hard to achieve it and never give up. Especially in the beginning before I had an agent and even now, she was looking for roles for me on Backstage, Actors Access, and other websites. She took me to open audition calls for Broadway shows and waited with me for hours. But most importantly, she always believed in me.

I remember once when I did not get an appointment to audition for the musical Fun Home, she still had me learn the main song anyway just in case. I worked on the song all week even though I did not have an audition. Later that week, they announced an open call and she took me to it with hundreds of other girls. My mom always believed that I was going to book that role that day, and then I did. Having someone who believes in me and loves me so much has always given me the confidence that I can and will achieve my dreams.

PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a moment that stands out?
Catherine: When I look back at my career, the moment that stands out is the opening night of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway at the Lyric Theatre in New York. I remember walking out on stage into Platform 9 3/4 as Lily Potter Jr., Harry Potter’s daughter! There were thousands of people in the audience, and I could feel this incredible energy from all of the people excited to see me and the show. It was truly magical. I honestly have never felt anything like that ever! It was one of the best days of my life. I was so happy!

PC: There are so many different facets to your talent. Is there one that comes more naturally? Is one more challenging?
Catherine: I worked hard to be a true triple threat—an actor, singer, and a dancer—and to be truly accomplished at all three. Acting comes the most naturally to me, both dramatic and comedic acting. I learned during my first TV show audition that I could cry on demand. People always ask how I can do that over and over again, and I just feel what the character is feeling and it happens. Comedic acting is also something that comes very naturally. I love to improv, have fun, and make silly faces.

Singing is probably the second hardest for me as I have to work on it every week to keep my range.

Dancing would be the most challenging. I train between fifteen to twenty hours a week on all styles—tap, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, hip hop, and many more. There are so many styles that it takes a lot of work to be really strong in all of them.

A Loud House Christmas

PC: Tell us about A Loud House Christmas and your character in the film.
Catherine: A Loud House Christmas is a Christmas caper that is really funny! I play one of the sisters, Luan Loud, the comedian, prankster, and performer of the family. Luan lives to perform and create comedy shows. She is very mischievous and somewhat devious when it comes to playing pranks on her siblings. Luan literally becomes such a lunatic around April Fools’ Day that her family tries to hide from her. Luan is also very witty. She is the Queen of Puns, which she uses all the time. I also played the role of Luan’s puppet, Mr. Coconuts. I thought of him as really Luan’s alter ego in the form of her best friend. Luan really thinks of him as a real person. When we would do improv scenes when we were filming, I had to not just improv for Luan but also for Mr. Coconuts. Most of all, Luan is happy and has an inner joy that I love!

PC: You were a fan of the animated series. Did you feel any pressure bringing this adaptation into this format?
Catherine: I am a huge fan of the Loud House series and the Loud House fans are literally the best fans in the world and Luan is such an incredible character. I felt a huge pressure to make sure I captured the human side of Luan but still stayed true to her mischievous and funny spirit. I wanted to make sure the Loud House fans loved live-action Luan as much as I loved bringing her to life! I did not want to just play her as a caricature but to give her a heart and soul that the audience would relate to. I also needed to make Mr. Coconuts feel alive, real, and funny! He is very real to Luan, so the hardest part was making sure he was always present and active along with Luan.

PC: The film became TV’s top kids entertainment telecast of 2021. What has that milestone meant to you? What do you hope audiences take away after they see it?
Catherine: When I learned that A Loud House Christmas was the top kids entertainment telecast of 2021, I was beyond excited and happy for the incredible team, Nickelodeon, and Paramount+. Aubin Bradley (who played my sister Lucy Loud in the movie) and I just literally screamed and started jumping up and down in a big hug. I was happy because I knew the fans loved what we all did with the characters and that we had succeeded in creating something special.

I think besides laughing a lot, I hope audiences take away the message of love and connection. This is so important right now when many families are unable to travel and be together: that we all understand that family, friends, and loved ones are always connected through the experiences we have shared, our traditions, and our memories.

PC: What’s next for you?
Catherine: I am working on a couple of new projects that I hope to announce very soon! But I am really excited for a new sequel to my favorite Loud movie and potentially a series. You are definitely going to be seeing more of Luan Loud and of course, Mr. Coconuts!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Catherine: Gossip Girl (the original).

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Catherine: Mean Girls.

PC: Favorite book?
Catherine: Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Catherine: Dear Evan Hansen.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Catherine: Kings of Leon.

PC: Dream role?
Catherine: Katniss Everdeen in the Hunger Games movies.

To keep up with Catherine, follow her on Instagram. Watch A Loud House Christmas on Paramount+.

Photo Credit: Jenny Anderson