Lizzy Greene: the multifaceted actress who never sleeps like art

Photography: Lesley Bryce / lesleybrycefoto

Words: Claudia Brizzi / claude______

Actress, singer, and paintress Lizzy Greene / lizzy_greene, at just 17 years old is one of the most beloved emerging actresses of the moment. She had her debut in the sitcom "Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn" playing the role of Dawn Harper and today boasts three Kids' Choice Awards nominations and more than three million followers on Instagram. She now stars in the ABC drama “A Million Little Things” about a group of friends struggling in life who get a wake-up call to finally start living after one of them dies unexpectedly.

A true icon with the innate talent to play different roles and express everything that happens in the world through her creations.

French Fries Magazine is ready to unveil the dreams in Lizzy's drawer!

You started playing the character of Dawn Harper in the series “Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn” when you were only 10 years old, how has this experience affected your artistic career?

It was my first professional job I ever had, so it taught me everything about the machine that is the film industry! It was like going on a new adventure every day, because I knew that I would be taught something new every day. I learned all the bare necessities about comedy like when to pause for laughs, and when to milk your moment. I really owe a lot to our phenomenal crew since they were like my second family. I grew up with them and I’m still close with a lot of the crew members today. The entire experience gave me a really great perspective on the benefit of a good work ethic, and the importance of staying humble.

In an interview you said you love every minute of your work. Have you always wanted to act? Was there a precise moment when you realized you wanted to pursue this career?

I think I’ve always had the acting bug! I found the love for performing at a very young age, when I used to set up chairs in my living room and perform “ice skating” shows for my parents - just wearing socks on the hardwood floor. But I found my real passion in theater, and just got more and more mesmerized by the thrill of singing and dancing for a crowd full of people. It was then that my biggest dream was to be on Broadway, which had the most prestigious stages in the world. But after auditioning for TV and film, and luckily getting one of the coolest jobs ever, I then ended up on the west coast - with an equally amazing dream now a 10 year old’s reality. 

At just 17 years old, you are already a very successful actress, an icon for many young people who dream of becoming like you. Have you ever regretted not living a "normal" adolescence like other girls? 

There are for sure some things that I do miss, such as the whole “school” environment, and sports. But I honestly wouldn’t give this up for the world. Growing up in the business also really helped me develop a great work ethic and a level of maturity at a really young age, which I think will be really beneficial later in life. But I’d also say I’m pretty normal outside of work! I care about school, I keep in touch with my friends, I bake, I run, and I love binging TV. Everything has its sacrifices, but some things are worth taking the leap for.

If you could act with an actress or actor from the past or present, who would it be and why?

I was always a fan of Robin Williams, so it would’ve been incredible to work with him, but Meryl Streep and Viola Davis are definitely at the top of my list.

How do you prepare yourself to play your roles? 

If it’s for auditions, I first like to research the project and the people associated with it - that way I can get a large perspective of what is going into it. Then I make notes on the material and put myself in the shoes of the character, sometimes I’ll also make up memories for the character I’m playing, so my actions and motives in the script feel more justified  - that way it feels less “charactery” and more like real life. But I always act off of the mission to make the viewer feel something.

Soon in Italy, the first season of the new series "A Million Little Things", in which you play Sophie Dixon, will be broadcast. What can people expect from this TV series?

That’s really exciting! It’s a really special show about family - and how the suicide of a father and friend shapes and changes the lives of a group of friends. The show itself deals a lot with mental health and the topics most people struggle with in silence, but really shows how love and support helps heal people. My character Sophie, is a confident and semi gothic teenager who values her family above all. The death of her father really strikes her, and you see just how much it affects her as she develops over the 3 seasons. 

Do you think you have more in common with the character of Dawn Harper or Sophie Dixon?

I always say both haha! Dawn really brought out the fun and comedic side, where Sophie lets me show more of my deeper and more vulnerable side. Both characters reflect me a lot, and they have equally taught me a lot as well. I learned comedy from Dawn, and drama from Sophie.

What advice would you like to give to all the guys who want to become actors like you?

Take improv and theater classes! The ability to improvise is incredibly beneficial in acting, because it keeps it fresh and lively. And theater teaches every fundamental thing you would want to know to get into film. I took both when I was younger, and that’s how I got swept into this business, but they are also just such amazing and memorable experiences. The collaboration and social aspects teach you how to work with all kinds of people. I definitely miss it! 

Lover of animals, sports and even fashion. What is the accessory that can never be missing in your look?

I wear almost nothing but black, but I never leave the house without some sort of colorful high fashion sunglasses.  I also never go anywhere without a pad of paper, because I get inspiration to draw from everything. My mom always jokes that I can’t have paper in front of me, and not personalize it. 

You also make very suggestive paintings, like the one dedicated to the memory of George Floyd. What attracts you to the art world? And where does the inspiration for your works come from?

Half of my camera roll is just photos of things that inspire me. It can be sidewalk cones placed in just the right way, or a wall of graffiti with great contrasting colors. Art never sleeps, you just have to keep your eyes open to catch it. I have a private Instagram where I follow my favorite art accounts, and recently became really intrigued with animation. But I’m always getting inspired by something, and I can thank Gen-Z a lot for that :)

In addition to being an actress and a paintress, you also have a beautiful voice. What is your relationship with music?

Thank you! I’ve always loved music, I started theater because my music teacher in elementary school threw my mom a flyer of a local theatrical program. So my life is definitely fueled by music, even when my professional career isn’t. I’ve always wanted to release my own songs, but acting has taken a front seat at the moment. But I won’t deny that I’ve been working on some things on the side for the last year, that I hope to put out soon. :)

Your Instagram profile is very popular and has more than 3 million followers. What are you trying to convey and communicate through the posts you publish?

I like my Instagram to reflect my personality and who I am as a person, so I like my content to be fun and more “teenage like.” I pepper in work here and there, but relatability is something I’m really fond of - and I want my fans to feel like they know me as Lizzy - not as a brand :)

Could you tell us a secret that your fans still don't know?

I want to study criminal psychology in college!

This year, the second season of “A Million Little Things” has aired in the United States, right during the quarantine for Covid 19. How did you spend your time during that time?

I’ve missed work so much! But I’ve been pretty busy finishing up my senior year, and also some career stuff as well. It’s definitely weird to have so much free time, but I think it was really good for me to decompress for a month or so. There were some occasional exasperated sighs on how boring things can be, but it was really therapeutic for me. I’m definitely so happy to be back at work now. I’ve missed hanging with my cast and combing through scripts. 

Do you have a dream in the drawer that you haven't realised yet?

Probably getting a painting hung in the Louvre. Now that’s a big dream!