Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Yes Day’s Julian Lerner

Picture this: for twenty-four hours, your parents have to say yes to anything you ask for, whether that’s a trip to your favorite amusement part or participating in an extreme game of capture the flag. Sounds pretty fun, right? Well, that’s the premise behind Netflix’s newest family comedy, Yes Day, and breakout star Julian Lerner spoke with us ahead of its release to tell us all about it.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Julian: I was seven at the time. My dad was having this dinner party and he invited some friends. One of his friends was like, “Hey, I’m going to bring my other friend.” We didn’t know it at the time, but that friend worked at an agency. At the end of the dinner party, he came to talk to my parents. He was like, “Hey, I would love for Julian to come to my office.” My parents were like, “What do you do for a living?” He was like, “I work at an agency.” They were like, “Okay. We’ll think about it.”

Two days later, my mom picked me up in the middle of my school day. She was like, “We’re going to go to that agency.” I was like, “Okay.” At the time, I was a junior Olympic gymnast; that was what I was really into. I was doing round-off back handsprings all the way down the hall because I was a really energetic kid. I met everyone at the agency. It was this big, amazing opportunity, so I took it, and that’s how I got into acting.

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 to you?
Julian: It’s definitely booking Yes Day. It really changed my career. I’m excited I was able to book this big movie.

PC: Can you tell us about Yes Day and your character in the film?
Julian: I play Nando. He’s this great, fun, energetic, kind of nerdy kid who loves science. He’s funny. I can actually relate to him in a lot of ways.

Yes Day is a great movie. It’s about a day where the parents have to say yes to everything that the kids say for twenty-four hours. Our movie is about the Torres family’s Yes Day and their exciting, amazing adventures throughout the film.

PC: What was it about this particular project that attracted you?
Julian: I got to ride rollercoasters and had so much fun with these amazing people on set.

PC: Speaking of the amazing cast, did Jennifer Garner or Edgar Ramirez share any words of wisdom with you?
Julian: Jen is the most kind, loving person, and she brings those qualities into the film.

Edgar gave me some great advice. At the beginning of the shoot, if I would mess up a line, I would beat myself up about it. I would get angry. But Edgar told me, “You can slow down, take a breath, and start over.” I was like, “Really? Even when there’s like a hundred people around just waiting on you?” He was like, “Yeah. They’re all here for you. Take a breath and slow down.” That was amazing to hear from such an accomplished actor.

PC: Your character and his siblings make a list of five things that they want to do on Yes Day. Which was your favorite and why?
Julian: My favorite was definitely the rollercoasters. I love going upside down. We rode in the front part, and the camera was strapped to the front of the rollercoaster. It was so much fun. Those scenes were amazing. I got to spend the whole day doing one of my favorite things in the whole world.

PC: If your parents gave you a Yes Day, what would you ask for?
Julian: I would ask them to order dinner from my favorite ramen restaurant and go to a Green Day concert—Green Day is my favorite band. I’d also want to have a movie marathon with my family and have my parents play a ton of Kelly Clarkson—I love her. She’s amazing. I also love LEGOs. I’m a big LEGO fan, so we’d definitely go to LEGOLAND.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after seeing the film?
Julian: It’s important for kids and teens to not only learn that they can make good choices, but they can also screw up from time to time, and it’s okay. I love that about the Torres family—for their Yes Day, it gives them the space to let that happen and ultimately brings them closer together.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Julian: Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It’s so funny.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Julian: Captain America: Civil War.

PC: Favorite book?
Julian: I love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Julian: Newsies because I love to dance, and I love Broadway.

PC: Favorite band or artist?
Julian: Definitely Green Day. I love rock and roll. I love the American Idiot soundtrack. It’s really inspiring. I don’t know if people know this, but it’s about Billie Joe Armstrong’s life as a kid and growing up, which is really, really cool.

PC: What’s your dream role?
Julian: To be a superhero who can fly and read minds.

To keep up with Julian, follow him on Instagram. Watch Yes Day on Netflix today.

Photo Credit: Francis Hills