“Keep going, no matter how hard this career may be. If you truly have a passion for acting and storytelling, something will happen eventually. Just keep persevering and don’t give up.”

Jordyn Curet

Audiences have had a month to digest, analyze, and discuss The Drama, and the think pieces are still rolling in. In the film, Jordyn Curet takes on the role of young Emma, marking a shift toward more intentional, emotionally grounded storytelling that reflects her growth both on- and off-screen. Curet spoke to NYOTA about bringing such a complex character to life, audience reactions to the film, and her advice for aspiring actors.

We last caught up with you in 2022. How have you grown both professionally and personally since then, and what’s changed most in how you approach your work?

Since 2022, I’ve really shifted from doing mostly comedic roles to more dramatic work. That’s been a big change for me professionally, and it’s helped me grow a lot as an actor. Playing young Emma in The Drama really challenged me to tap into deeper emotions and approach my performances in a more intentional way. In terms of how I approach my work now, I spend more time understanding my character—how they think, what they’re feeling, and what they’ve been through—so everything feels more real. Personally, I’ve grown a lot, too. I’m a junior now, so I’m just looking forward to my senior year and everything that’s coming up.

The Drama found its way to you through an open casting call on Instagram. What about the role made you want to audition in the first place?

When I first saw the casting call, I immediately noticed it was to play a younger version of Zendaya, and I’ve always loved watching her work—I’m a huge fan. That definitely drew me in right away. I also really loved how complex the character was. She’s part of a more emotional and layered storyline, which was something I had been looking for after doing more comedic roles. That combination is what made me want to audition.

I saw The Drama in a packed theater. There were gasps, loud laughter, and even nervous glances whenever someone stepped out to use the restroom. What do you think it is about this film that creates such a strong communal experience, and did you anticipate that when you first read the script?

I think the film really explores a wide range of emotions—embarrassment, happiness, sadness—and the audience experiences all of that alongside the characters. I did anticipate that when I read the script, but it turned out even better once I saw it on screen. It also helps that you have such incredible actors like Robert Pattinson and Zendaya leading the film. I was really excited to see how strongly audiences reacted to it. 

Even though the subject matter is dark, some of the flashback scenes of young Emma are laced with humor. How did you approach balancing that tone in your performance, especially in your line delivery?

I think the humor comes more from the situations themselves rather than from how I played her. For me, it was important to keep young Emma grounded and serious in those moments and leave it up to the audience to find the humor. She’s experiencing awkwardness and embarrassment in a very real way, so I focused on playing the truth of what she was feeling. 

Once Emma finds community, we see her shift from being ready to go through with a school shooting to becoming an anti-gun violence activist. The film highlights how isolation can push someone toward a dark path. How did you think about portraying that turning point, and what felt most important to get right in those moments?

I really focused on showing the internal shift in young Emma. For me, the turning point was about the emotional honesty of the character once she started to understand the weight of what she was planning to do. What felt most important was portraying her as a human being without justifying her actions. A big part of that shift comes from her realizing she’s not alone and that she’s been longing for a sense of community. 

There are moments where Charlie imagines himself interacting with young Emma, almost trying to reconcile who she was with who she is now. What do you think those scenes reveal about how we process someone’s past?

I think those scenes show how complicated it can be to understand someone’s past—especially when you weren’t there to experience it with them. It highlights how difficult it is to judge someone based on who they were at a younger age, because people grow and change. At the same time, I think it helps us understand how someone became who they are. Overall, I like to leave it up to the audience to decide what those moments mean. 

Did you and Zendaya have any conversations about Emma’s evolution from her teenage years into adulthood? What did you want to make sure was carried through between your performances?

We didn’t have a conversation about Emma’s evolution because we felt it would work better for our versions of Emma to be different—we’re portraying her at two very different stages in her life. I did study Zendaya’s mannerisms in her other projects, which helped shape my performance a bit. But overall, I think our versions work together because they’re so different. 

You’ve been performing since you were 2 years old. At this stage in your career, what types of projects do you hope to continue to pursue?

I hope to continue working on projects that spark meaningful conversations. What I loved about The Drama is that people came away with different perspectives and opinions about the characters. That kind of impact is really important to me, and I’d love to keep being part of projects like that. 

What advice do you have for aspiring actors?

Keep going, no matter how hard this career may be. If you truly have a passion for acting and storytelling, something will happen eventually. Just keep persevering and don’t give up.

Production Credits

Photographer: Exavier Castro

MUA: Cristal Gonzalez

Hair: Marissa Garcia

Stylist: Tal Heruty

Videographer: Matt Francisco