IN CONVERSATION WITH NATALIE GRACE
interview by JANA LETONJA
Rising actress Natalie Grace makes a powerful first impression with her feature film debut in The Mummy, from Blumhouse Productions and Warner Bros.. Directed by Lee Cronin, the film pushes Natalie into physically and emotionally demanding territory, from enduring claustrophobic scenes inside a sarcophagus to navigating intense prosthetics and stunt work. Rather than stepping back, she leaned into the discomfort, transforming fear into fuel. Her journey on The Mummy is not just a breakout moment, but a story of resilience, growth, and discovering inner strength, making her an exciting new voice for audiences stepping outside their own comfort zones.
The Mummy marks your feature film debut. What was your first reaction when you landed the role?
It felt very surreal. I had a moment of tunnel vision where I realised that almost 10 years of work had finally come to fruition. I remember being in a daze for weeks about it, even when I was in LA for makeup tests.
What was the most surprising thing about stepping onto a major film set for the first time?
The sheer size of everything. I remember Lee walking me around the set, and the entire house was built just like a normal house, but 10 times bigger to hold all the filming equipment in each room. I was just completely stunned by it all.
You’ve spoken about dealing with claustrophobia. What was it like filming those sarcophagus scenes?
Even though it was extremely difficult, Lee was always there to help me through it, so I feel very fortunate to have a director who cares so much about his actors and their experience on set. I felt extremely proud by the end of those scenes. They were emotionally exhausting, but I got through them.
Was there a specific moment on set where you felt like you truly overcame a fear?
The scene where they open the sarcophagus for the first time was extremely challenging. The reaction you see when I wake up wasn’t really acting. I went to a very vulnerable place, and I had to get over a lot of fear to create that.
How did pushing through those challenges change your confidence as a performer?
I’m definitely a lot more sure of my choices and more confident in my abilities. I proved to myself that I can do so much more than I thought was possible.
The film involved prosthetics, wirework, and long hours. What goes through your head when you’re in full prosthetics or mid-stunt?
Honestly, I’m thinking, “Try not to rip your knees or tear at your elbows.” Those were usually the first spots to go. I was doing such heavy stunt work that I had to be as mindful as possible to preserve everything through the long hours. Taking breaks to reapply a piece cuts into filming time, and it can be mentally exhausting going back and forth like that.
How do you personally handle moments of self-doubt or fear?
Work through it, push through it. I don’t really see another option. If you choose this as a career, you have to build a certain level of mental fortitude, so things don’t affect you as much. But at the same time, you have to stay sensitive enough to your emotions so you can tap into them when needed.
How has this experience shaped how you approach your career moving forward?
It’s opened doors for me and given me so many opportunities I used to only dream of. I have a deeper assurance that this is exactly what I’m meant to do. Moving forward, I just want to work on as many films as possible and keep learning. There’s still so much to learn.
What kinds of roles or stories are you excited to explore next?
Anything with deep layers. Writing is so important to me, so as long as I’m interested in the script, I’m open to anything. I would love to do a thriller, and my love for stunts has sparked a desire to do an action film.
What keeps you creatively fulfilled outside of acting, and what are the things you enjoy the most?
I love books. I try to read 10 a month, and I’ve read over 300 in the past couple of years. I just try to absorb as much knowledge as I can. I love writing and journaling. I watch a lot of video essays on YouTube, and I’ve recently been trying to watch at least two films a week. I’m getting better at that. I also work out a lot and try to spend a good amount of time outside when I’m not working.
TEAM CREDITS
talent NATALIE GRACE
photographer ALEXANDRA ZAK-JOHNSON
makeup PAULA XIONG
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA
